Imagine, if you will, a dreamy dessert that unites two iconic sweets: Tres Leches and Flan. Yes, Tres Leches Flan Cake is exactly what it sounds like—a magical blend of milky cake and creamy flan. Intrigued? You should be!
Origins of Tres Leches Flan Cake
Tres Leches Flan Cake is a delicious and popular dessert that originated in Latin America, specifically in countries like Mexico, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. It is a combination of two classic Latin desserts: Tres Leches cake and Flan.
Tres Leches cake, which means “three milks cake,” is a sponge cake that is soaked in a mixture of three different types of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. The cake is then topped with whipped cream and served cold. The origins of Tres Leches cake are disputed, but it is believed to have originated in Mexico or Nicaragua in the 19th century.
Flan, on the other hand, is a custard-like dessert made with eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla. It is similar to crème caramel and is often served with caramel sauce. Flan is believed to have originated in ancient Rome and was later introduced to Latin America by Spanish colonizers.
Tres Leches Flan Cake combines these two beloved desserts into one delicious creation. It typically consists of a layer of Tres Leches cake on the bottom, topped with a layer of Flan. The dessert is then chilled and served cold. The combination of the moist and creamy Tres Leches cake with the smooth and silky Flan is a true delight for the taste buds.
The cultural significance of Tres Leches Flan Cake lies in its connection to Latin American cuisine and culture. It is a popular dessert at family gatherings, parties, and other celebrations in Latin American communities. The dessert is often made from scratch, using traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations. By sharing Tres Leches Flan Cake with friends and family, Latin Americans celebrate their heritage and the rich culinary traditions of their culture.
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My Tremendous Tres Leches Flan Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients:
- 1 (18.25 oz.) box butter/yellow cake mix and ingredients to prepare as directed on box
- 1 (12 oz) can of regular Coke or Pepsi
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 (10.9-oz.) jar cajeta (caramel topping) or caramel ice cream topping
Flan Ingredients:
- 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees
- Follow instructions to make cake, but use the can of coke instead of water.
- Set cake mix aside and make flan
- Put the flan ingredients in a blender and mix well
- Spray the bundt pan with Pam and then cover the bottom with carmel
- Pour cake mix into bundt pan.
- Pour the flan mix gently down one side of the pan. The flan will go to the bottom and the cake mix will raise up a bit as the flan mixture fills the bottom of the pan.
- Set the bundt pan in a larger pan or tray with hot water. You are creating a bain marie or water bath, so you only need a couple inches of water.
- Put it all in the oven and it will cook for at least 45 minutes and as much as an hour.
- Check the cake doneness with a toothpick. The cake will stay more moist than most cakes you’ve ever made and you will see it separate a bit from the pan when it is done.
- Let it cool and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
- Take it out two hours before you plan to serve. Turn the bundt pan over and let it sit while warming to room temperature.
- The bundt pan should then lift off to reveal a layer of flan, topped with carmel sitting atop a very moist cake.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
Tips for Making Tres Leches Flan Cake
Use a good quality cake mix or make the cake from scratch. A sponge cake or yellow cake works well for Tres Leches Flan Cake.
When baking the cake, use a 9×13-inch pan. This size is perfect for soaking up the milk mixture and allows for a good cake-to-flan ratio.
Poke holes in the cake before pouring the milk mixture over it. This will help the milk mixture soak into the cake and make it moist.
For the milk mixture, use a combination of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. You can adjust the ratios to your preference, but a good rule of thumb is to use equal parts of each milk.
After pouring the milk mixture over the cake, cover it and refrigerate it for several hours or overnight. This will allow the cake to absorb the milk and become very moist.
When making the Flan, make sure to strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps and ensure a smooth texture.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you’re lactose intolerant, you can use lactose-free versions of the three milks. Similarly, you can swap regular sugar for coconut sugar or other alternatives.
Temperature and Timing
Remember, ovens can be fickle. Always keep an eye on your cake, as baking times may vary.
The Importance of Ingredients
The Three Milks
When it comes to the milks in Tres Leches, quality matters. You’ll need evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream to get the authentic experience. Each contributes its own texture and flavor.
Eggs and Sweetness
The flan layer calls for eggs and sugar—ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. The sugar transforms into a golden caramel, which sets the stage for the velvety flan.
The Required Tools
Bakeware Essentials
For this recipe, a springform pan is a game-changer. It makes removal a breeze. Additionally, you’ll need mixing bowls, a whisk, and a blender.
Kitchen Gadgets
While not necessary, gadgets like a hand mixer can save you some elbow grease. Got a sieve? Use it to make sure your cake batter is lump-free.
Serving Suggestions
Ideal Accompaniments
Serve this culinary masterpiece with fresh fruits or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Trust me; you won’t regret it.
Presentation Ideas
A dusting of cinnamon or a drizzle of caramel sauce can elevate your Tres Leches Flan Cake to a gourmet level.
Storing and Leftovers
Fridge Life
Your Tres Leches Flan Cake will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure it’s well-wrapped to avoid drying out.
Freezing
While you can freeze it, the texture might change slightly upon thawing. Proceed with caution.
Frequently Made Mistakes
Overmixing the Batter
Be careful not to overmix your batter; you don’t want a dense cake.
Underestimating the Caramel
The caramel is a crucial element. Make sure it’s cooked to the right consistency to avoid a runny mess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make Tres Leches Flan Cake ahead of time. In fact, it is recommended to make it at least a few hours in advance to allow the cake to absorb the milk mixture and become very moist. Once the cake has cooled after baking, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible. Add the Flan layer just before serving.
To prevent the Flan from curdling or cracking, it’s important to bake the Tres Leches Flan Cake in a water bath. This involves placing the cake pan in a larger baking dish and filling the dish with hot water. The water should come up to about 1 inch up the sides of the cake pan. The water bath helps to distribute heat evenly and prevent the Flan from overcooking or drying out, which can cause it to curdle or crack.
Yes, you can make Tres Leches Flan Cake from scratch by using a sponge cake or yellow cake recipe. Simply prepare the cake batter according to the recipe instructions and bake it in a 9×13 inch pan. Once the cake has cooled, follow the instructions for soaking it in the milk mixture and adding the Flan layer.
In Conclusion
If you are looking for a decadent dessert that is sure to impress, then you should definitely try Tres Leches Flan Cake. This dessert combines two delicious Latin American desserts, Tres Leches Cake and Flan, into one amazing creation. The cake is moist and spongy, thanks to being soaked in a milk mixture made of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. The Flan layer on top is smooth, creamy, and adds a delightful contrast in texture and flavor. The cake’s cultural significance and heritage, as well as its ability to bring people together, also make it a special dessert to share with loved ones. It’s the perfect dessert for special occasions, celebrations, or any time you want to indulge in a rich and satisfying treat. So, give it a try and experience the heavenly combination of cake and custard that is Tres Leches Flan Cake.
Looks amazing! I want to make this, but I do not understand how you can pour the flan down the side of the bunt pan with the cake batter in the pan. Any comments would be great 🙂
this is an awesome cake..don't skip the coca cola substitution, it changes a box cake into something fabulous. follow the great instructions and you will have success. thanks Joelen.
Hi Joelen,
This looks great! Will it also work with caramelized sugar (same as for leche flan) ?
Thanks
jo
Just a random question, did the batter almost spill out of your pan by the time you were done pouring in the flan mixture?
When you take the cake out two hours before you plan to serve it, do you immediately turn the pan over (as if you were removing it from the pan) or do you wait to flip it until right before you serve it? I'm worried about it separating/falling apart if I turn it over too soon.
I flipped mine while it was warming up and I got a soupy mess! I don't know what exactly you are supposed to do but what I did, did not work.
I made this cake this weekend and i would have to say it was AWSOME, came out great for my first time making it, did not break, looked and tasted fantastic, thanks for this wonderful recipe
Great cake but prefer water in the cake mix over coke I could taste the coke in the cake made it to sweet for me. Make sure to cool in the frig so you don't have warm flan oozing everywhere which is what I did the first time. I even like the cake served cold out of the refrigerator. Everyone loves this cake.
I make the chocoflan which is the same except with chocolate cake. What I do is pour the cake batter into the pan and the gently pour the flan mixture over the cake mix. Cover and bake for 90 minutes. In a ban Marie, I use a bundt pan
@Norma Maldonado – Yes! Here's my chocoflan cake, made in the same way using chocolate cake instead:https://whatscookinchicago.com/2007/05/packing-picnic.html
Just wondered why you chose to use cola instead of water, milk, buttermilk, or other liquid for the cake?
Our it right down the side, between cake pan and batter. Thr flan mix is thicker and heavier than the batter and will sink to the bottom
Great recipe… Just wondering why you don't include a print option… That would make it much easier to follow the recipe…
You can easily print by doing a [CTRL + P] for the recipe here or any website 🙂
Don't worry about pouring it down the side of the bundt pan. Just pour the flan mixture on top of the cake batter gently. It will mix into the batter but don't be afraid. Once it is baking it will separate. When I make choco-flan I bake it around 80-90 minutes. This is a very similar recipe. I will give this one a try. Sounds delicious.
I got it. I posted that I had made this cake and it spilled over. The difference was that I made the yellow cake from scratch and therefore, the recipe I used made more batter than a box cake. I’m going to make again, determined to make it right. However, the flavor was absolutely amazing, sooooo good.
I used a pretty good size Bundt pan and not only did I have to put some of the flan mixture into another baking dish, this spilled over onto a cookie sheet I had under it because I thought it would do just that. Did I do something wrong?
Yes, my mixture did not fit into my Bundt pan, and what did poured over onto a cookie sheet I had underneath it because I was afraid it was going to do just that.
Just wondering why iis it called 3 leches flan cake ?