• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Itaira Eats
  • Meet Itaira
  • Recipe Index
  • Videos
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Meet Itaira
  • Recipe Index
  • Home page
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Tres Leches Cake With Cake Mix

    Published: Oct 16, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This tres leches cake with cake mix is an easy way to make this Mexican dessert instead of making it from scratch. For those that aren't great at baking (raises hand), this is a simple recipe and easy to follow. This is by no means one of your traditional recipes but it is really good and I was proud of the outcome. This by far one of my favorite cakes and I highly recommend you make this shortcut version.

    slice of tres leches cake served in front of pan of whole tres leches cake

    Tres Leches translates to three milks which makes this a very moist cake. With a whipped cream topping and fresh berries you really can't go wrong with this dessert. If you don't want to make your own whipped cream and want to make it even more of a short cut, use cool whip. The three types of milk used are sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. If you've never had it, it is served at Mexican restaurants and a lot of other Latin American restaurants as well.

    Tres Leches Cake Ingredients

    overhead shot of tres leches cake ingredients

    Boxed Cake Mix- I used classic butter box cake mix in this recipe but yellow cake mix, sponge cake, or white cake mix would work as well.

    Sweetened Condensed Milk- One of the "leches" in the cake, this adds sweetness and creaminess.

    Evaporated Milk- Less sweet and thick as condensed milk but still gives a richness.

    Heavy Cream- This will be used in the "tres leches" mixture as well as to make the fresh whipped cream. Some people use whole milk in the mixture instead of heavy cream.

    Let's Make This Easy Tres Leches Cake Recipe

    cake batter being mixed with hand mixer

    First you want to make the cake batter. Combine cake mix, water, eggs and melted butter to a large bowl. Your ingredients may be different slightly depending on the brand of cake mix being used, I'm using Duncan Hines. Start at low speed then gradually get to medium speed for 4 minutes with your electric mixer.

    cake batter in a glass pan

    In a prepared baking pan, pour batter and make sure it is evenly distributed. Bake at 325° for 30 minutes. Take out and let cake cool for at least 20 minutes.

    milk mixture in a mixing bowl with a whisk

    While cooling the cake prepare the sweet milk mixture. In a mixing bowl combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. Whisk to combine. You can add it to a measuring cup with a spout to make pouring easier.

    milk mixture being poured over baked cake

    Poke cake with a tooth pick, skewer, or long-tined fork all over. You want to make sure the milks get in all of the poke holes and absorb into the cake. Carefully pour mixture all over the cake. It may appear like there is too much but it is not, make sure to use all of it.

    cake being absorbed by milk mixture covered with plastic wrap

    Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for at least 4 hours but up to overnight.

    whipped cream in a mixing bowl with a spatula

    When ready to serve make the whipped topping. In a bowl combine heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. With a hand mixer or stand mixer, mix until stiff peaks are formed.

    overhead shot of plated slice of tres leches cake

    Spread the whipped cream on the top of the cake evenly. Top with fresh strawberries and enjoy!

    Other Sweet Recipes You May Enjoy!

    • Grilled Brazilian Pineapple
    • Peach Dutch Baby
    • Low Calorie French Toast
    • Homemade Waffles
    tres leches cake feature image

    Tres Leches Cake with Cake Mix

    Tres Leches translates to three milks which makes this a very moist cake. With a whipped cream topping and fresh berries you really can't go wrong with this dessert. 
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Refrigerating Time: 4 hours
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 405kcal

    Equipment

    Mixing Bowls
    hand mixer

    Ingredients

    Butter Cake

    • 15.5 oz butter cake mix
    • 3/4 cup water
    • 3 eggs
    • 7 tbsp melted butter

    Tres Leches

    • 12 oz sweetened condensed milk
    • 14 oz evaporated milk
    • 1 cup heavy cream

    Whipped Cream

    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 2 tbsp sugar
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Combine cake mix, water, eggs and melted butter to a large bowl. Start at low speed then gradually get to medium speed for 4 minutes with your electric mixer.
    • In a prepared baking pan, pour batter and make sure it is evenly distributed. Bake at 325° for 30 minutes. Take out and let cake cool for at least 20 minutes.
    • While cooling the cake prepare the sweet milk mixture. In a mixing bowl combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. Whisk to combine. You can add it to a measuring cup with a spout to make pouring easier.
    • Poke cake with a tooth pick, skewer, or long-tined fork all over. Carefully pour mixture all over the cake. It may appear like there is too much but it is not, make sure to use all of it.
    • Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for at least 4 hours but up to overnight.
    • When ready to serve make the whipped topping. In a bowl combine heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. With a hand mixer or stand mixer, mix until stiff peaks are formed.
    • Spread the whipped cream on the top of the cake evenly. Top with fresh strawberries and enjoy!

    Video

    Tres Leches Cake with Cake Mix

    Nutrition

    Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 68.6g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11.3g | Saturated Fat: 6.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58.3mg | Sodium: 379.7mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 51.7g
    Tried this recipe?Mention @itairaeats on Instagram and hashtag #itairaeats!
    « Cheesy Meat Lasagna
    Jamaican Curry Chicken »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    ABOUT ME

    About Me

    My name is Itaira and I’m from the garden state known as New Jersey. I’ve had passion for many things but the one thing that is consistent is food. I love everything there is to love about food in every aspect. I welcome you all to join me on this food journey. I hope to inspire you to cook and try new foods... learn more

    Load up on new recipes, exclusive goodies, + more!

    Get the exclusive content you crave straight to your inbox.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Meet Itaira
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Contact

    [email protected]

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Itaira Eats