12 Delicious Tres Leches Cake Variations to Try at Home

Tres leches cake brings together the perfect combination of fluffy sponge cake and creamy milk mixture. This beloved Latin American dessert transforms simple ingredients into something absolutely magical.

These twelve variations will help you master this classic dessert while exploring exciting new flavors and techniques that make each bite unforgettable.

01. Four-Milk Tres Leches Cake

This indulgent version uses four different types of milk for extra richness. The combination creates an incredibly moist cake that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ cup butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 5 large eggs, ⅓ cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 cup heavy whipping cream for topping, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar.

How To Make Four-Milk Tres Leches Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder until well combined, then set aside for later use.

2. Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract until smooth.

3. Alternate adding flour mixture and whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing the batter.

4. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan.

5. Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. Poke holes all over cooled cake with a fork, then slowly pour milk mixture over cake, allowing it to absorb completely.

6. Whip remaining heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Spread over cake and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving for best results.

02. Almond Extract Tres Leches

Almond extract replaces vanilla in this aromatic variation. The nutty flavor adds sophisticated depth that pairs beautifully with the creamy milk mixture.

Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup sugar, 5 eggs, ⅓ cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon almond extract, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 cup whipping cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.

How To Make Almond Extract Tres Leches

1. Heat oven to 350°F and butter a 9×13-inch pan thoroughly. Combine flour and baking powder in a bowl, whisking to eliminate any lumps completely.

2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy and pale, approximately 4 minutes. Add eggs individually, mixing well between additions, then incorporate almond extract for that distinctive nutty aroma.

3. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to butter mixture, starting and finishing with flour. Mix gently until just combined to maintain cake’s tender texture.

4. Transfer batter to prepared pan and bake 28-32 minutes until lightly golden and pulling slightly from edges. Cool completely before proceeding to next step.

5. Combine all three milks in a large measuring cup. Pierce cooled cake all over with a skewer, then gradually pour milk mixture over surface, allowing complete absorption.

6. Beat whipping cream and powdered sugar to soft peaks. Spread evenly over cake and chill overnight for optimal flavor development and texture.

03. Strawberry-Topped Tres Leches

Fresh strawberries and fluffy whipped cream make this version absolutely stunning. The bright berries add a lovely tartness that balances the sweet milk perfectly.

Ingredients: 1 cup flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 5 eggs, ⅓ cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 2 cups fresh strawberries, 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar.

How To Make Strawberry-Topped Tres Leches

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish well. Whisk flour and baking powder together in a medium bowl until evenly distributed.

2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.

3. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until ingredients are combined to prevent tough cake.

4. Pour into prepared pan and bake 30-35 minutes until golden and toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in the pan.

5. Mix the three milks together and poke holes throughout cooled cake with a fork. Pour milk mixture slowly over cake, ensuring even distribution and complete absorption.

6. Slice strawberries into attractive pieces. Whip cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form, spread over cake, then arrange strawberries beautifully on top before chilling.

04. Lime Amaretto Tres Leches

Zesty lime and nutty amaretto create an exciting flavor combination. Fresh peaches on top add sweetness that perfectly complements the citrus and almond notes.

Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 5 eggs, ⅓ cup milk, 2 tablespoons lime zest, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 3 tablespoons amaretto, 2 fresh peaches, 1 cup whipping cream.

How To Make Lime Amaretto Tres Leches

1. Set oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch pan with butter. Combine flour and baking powder, whisking thoroughly to ensure even mixing throughout.

2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy and light colored, roughly 4 minutes. Add eggs one by one, beating after each, then mix in fresh lime zest for bright citrus flavor.

3. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, starting and ending with flour. Fold gently to combine without overworking the delicate batter.

4. Bake in prepared pan for 28-33 minutes until cake springs back when lightly touched and edges pull away slightly from pan sides.

5. Whisk together the three milks with amaretto for that distinctive almond liqueur taste. Poke holes in cooled cake and pour mixture slowly, allowing complete soaking.

6. Slice peaches into thin wedges. Whip cream to soft peaks, spread over soaked cake, then arrange peach slices decoratively before refrigerating for several hours.

05. Traditional Tres Leches Cake

This classic version keeps things simple and perfect. No fancy additions here, just the traditional flavors that made this dessert famous worldwide.

Ingredients: 1 cup flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 5 large eggs, ⅓ cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.

How To Make Traditional Tres Leches Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Sift flour and baking powder together to create the lightest possible cake texture.

2. Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes. Beat in eggs individually, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.

3. Add vanilla extract, then alternate flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined to maintain the cake’s tender crumb structure.

4. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 30-35 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center emerges clean. Cool completely before proceeding.

5. Combine all three milks in a large bowl, whisking until smooth. Use a fork to poke holes evenly across cooled cake surface, then pour milk mixture slowly over entire cake.

6. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Spread evenly over absorbed cake and refrigerate at least 4 hours for optimal flavor and texture development.

06. Baileys Red Velvet Tres Leches

Pink-hued and luxurious, this red velvet version is perfect for celebrations. Baileys Red Velvet Liqueur adds both color and sophisticated flavor to this elegant dessert.

Ingredients: 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 5 eggs, ⅓ cup milk, 2 tablespoons red food coloring, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, ½ cup Baileys Red Velvet Liqueur, 1 cup heavy cream, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar.

How To Make Baileys Red Velvet Tres Leches

1. Heat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan well. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder until no streaks of cocoa remain visible.

2. Cream butter and sugar until light and airy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to create smooth batter.

3. Mix in red food coloring until evenly distributed and desired pink color is achieved. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with flour mixture.

4. Pour into prepared pan and bake 28-32 minutes until cake springs back when gently pressed and edges start pulling from pan sides.

5. Combine sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and Baileys liqueur, whisking until smooth. Poke holes throughout cooled cake and pour mixture slowly, ensuring even absorption.

6. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar to soft peaks. Spread over soaked cake in decorative swirls and chill for at least 3 hours before serving this showstopper.

07. Cherry Almond Tres Leches

Cherries and almonds create a match made in heaven. Canned cherries mixed into the batter and almond icing on top make this version absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients: 1 cup flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 5 eggs, ⅓ cup milk, 1 teaspoon almond extract, ½ cup drained maraschino cherries, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 cup whipping cream, ¼ cup sliced almonds.

How To Make Cherry Almond Tres Leches

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly. Combine flour and baking powder in a bowl, whisking to distribute evenly throughout.

2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy and light, approximately 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer. Add eggs individually, mixing well between each addition for smooth consistency.

3. Incorporate almond extract for that distinctive nutty flavor. Alternate flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour, mixing just until combined to avoid tough texture.

4. Gently fold chopped cherries into batter, being careful not to overmix. Pour into prepared pan and bake 30-35 minutes until golden and pulling slightly from edges.

5. Whisk the three milks together until smooth and well combined. Poke holes evenly across cooled cake surface and slowly pour milk mixture over, allowing complete absorption.

6. Whip cream to soft peaks and spread over soaked cake. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top for beautiful presentation and added crunch, then refrigerate before serving.

08. Pumpkin Spice Tres Leches

Fall flavors shine in this seasonal variation. Pumpkin puree and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves create the perfect autumn dessert experience.

Ingredients: 1 cup flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon cloves, ½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 5 eggs, ⅓ cup milk, ½ cup pumpkin puree, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 cup whipping cream.

How To Make Pumpkin Spice Tres Leches

1. Set oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch pan with butter. Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves together until spices are evenly distributed throughout.

2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes with electric mixer. Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before proceeding.

3. Mix in pumpkin puree until smooth and evenly colored. Alternate adding spiced flour mixture and milk to pumpkin mixture, starting and ending with flour for best texture.

4. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 32-37 minutes until cake springs back when lightly touched and toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

5. Combine the three milks, whisking until completely smooth. Pierce cooled cake all over with a fork and pour milk mixture slowly, allowing thorough soaking for maximum flavor.

6. Whip cream to soft peaks and spread evenly over absorbed cake. Dust lightly with additional cinnamon if desired and refrigerate for several hours before slicing and serving.

09. Authentic Tres Leches with Cherries

This traditional recipe takes time but delivers incredible results. Maraschino cherries provide the classic garnish, though fresh fruit works beautifully too.

Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup sugar, 5 large eggs, ⅓ cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 12 maraschino cherries.

How To Make Authentic Tres Leches with Cherries

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Sift flour and baking powder together twice to ensure the finest, most tender cake texture possible.

2. Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until very pale and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes for maximum lightness. Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.

3. Mix in vanilla extract until fragrant. Gently fold in flour mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour, mixing just until ingredients are barely combined.

4. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly to corners. Bake 30-35 minutes until golden brown and cake pulls slightly away from pan edges when done.

5. Allow cake to cool completely, then whisk three milks together until smooth. Create holes throughout cake with a skewer and pour milk mixture very slowly, ensuring complete absorption.

6. Whip heavy cream to soft peaks and spread over soaked cake in decorative swirls. Top each serving square with a maraschino cherry and chill overnight for best results.

10. Pina Colada Tres Leches

Tropical flavors transform this classic dessert into a vacation-worthy treat. Crushed pineapple, coconut milk, and toasted coconut create pure paradise in every bite.

Ingredients: 1 box white cake mix, 3 eggs, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup water, ½ cup crushed pineapple (drained), 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, ½ cup coconut milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, ½ cup toasted coconut flakes.

How To Make Pina Colada Tres Leches

1. Heat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan well. Prepare cake mix according to package directions using eggs, oil, and water, mixing until smooth and lump-free.

2. Fold drained crushed pineapple gently into prepared cake batter, being careful not to overmix and maintaining the batter’s light texture throughout the process.

3. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly to all corners. Bake according to package directions, usually 28-32 minutes, until golden and toothpick comes out clean.

4. Cool cake completely in pan before proceeding. Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and coconut milk until smooth and well combined for tropical flavor.

5. Poke holes evenly across cooled cake surface using a fork. Pour coconut milk mixture slowly over entire cake, allowing complete absorption for maximum moistness and flavor.

6. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar to soft peaks. Spread over soaked cake and sprinkle generously with toasted coconut flakes for authentic tropical presentation and crunch.

11. Double Chocolate Tres Leches

Chocolate lovers rejoice with this decadent variation. Using chocolate cake mix and chocolate milk creates an intensely rich dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients: 1 box chocolate cake mix, 3 eggs, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 1¼ cups water, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, ½ cup chocolate milk, 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder for dusting.

How To Make Double Chocolate Tres Leches

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Prepare chocolate cake mix according to package directions using eggs, oil, and water for easiest preparation.

2. Mix batter until smooth and no lumps remain, following package instructions carefully. Pour into prepared pan, spreading evenly to ensure uniform baking throughout the cake.

3. Bake according to package timing, typically 28-32 minutes, until cake springs back when lightly touched and edges begin pulling away from pan sides slightly.

4. Allow cake to cool completely before proceeding to next step. Combine sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and chocolate milk, whisking until completely smooth and well blended.

5. Use a fork to create holes evenly across cooled cake surface. Pour chocolate milk mixture slowly over cake, ensuring even distribution and complete absorption for rich flavor.

6. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Spread over soaked cake and dust lightly with cocoa powder through a fine sieve for professional presentation.

12. Vegan Coconut Tres Leches

Plant-based ingredients create this surprisingly rich dairy-free version. Coconut products replace traditional dairy while maintaining the signature creamy texture and indulgent taste.

Ingredients: 1½ cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 cup water, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 can cream of coconut, 1 can coconut milk, ½ cup condensed coconut milk, 1 cup vegan whipping cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.

How To Make Vegan Coconut Tres Leches

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan with vegan butter or oil. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until evenly combined.

2. In separate bowl, combine water, oil, and vinegar, whisking well. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring just until smooth batter forms without any lumps.

3. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 30-35 minutes until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan before proceeding.

4. Whisk cream of coconut, coconut milk, and condensed coconut milk together until smooth. The mixture should be well blended and creamy throughout for best results.

5. Poke holes evenly across cooled cake surface with a fork. Slowly pour coconut milk mixture over cake, allowing complete absorption for maximum flavor and moisture.

6. Whip vegan cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Spread evenly over soaked cake and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving this dairy-free delight.

Final Thoughts

These twelve tres leches variations offer something special for every taste preference and dietary need. From traditional recipes to creative twists, each version delivers that signature creamy texture.

Whether you choose classic vanilla or adventurous flavors like pina colada, these recipes will help you create memorable desserts that bring joy to any occasion.