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Coconut Tres Leches Cake

Coconut Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp fine sea salt
  • 5 large eggs, separated
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • ⅓ cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream, cold
  • 2 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
  • ½ tsp coconut extract (optional)
  • ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Beat the egg whites to soft peaks, gradually add ¼ cup sugar, and beat to stiff peaks. Set aside.
  3. Beat the egg yolks and ¾ cup sugar until thick and pale. Mix in the milk and vanilla. Fold in the flour mixture, then fold in the egg whites in two additions.
  4. Spread the batter in the dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, then poke holes all over the warm cake with a skewer.
  5. Whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and coconut milk. Pour evenly over the cake. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
  6. Whip the heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and coconut extract to soft peaks. Spread over the cold cake and top with toasted coconut. Slice and serve cold.

Notes

For the cleanest slices, chill the cake overnight before adding the whipped cream layer. The toasted coconut flakes stay crunchiest when added just before serving.