Milk cake (Tres Leches cake) Recipe

For Sponge -

• Step 1: In a bowl, take Nestlé MILKMAID, curd, oil, and vanilla essence. Using a whisker, whisk till uniform consistency.
• Step 2: Sieve flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt directly into a bowl of wet ingredients.
• Step 3: Mix dry and wet ingredients. Slowly add milk bit by bit to get a pouring consistency.
• Step 4: Preheat the oven to 180° C and line an 8x8-inch square tin with parchment paper/butter paper or grease the tin evenly with butter.
• Step 5: Pour the prepared batter into the tin and tap it on the counter. Bake for 20 min or until the cake passes the toothpick test.
• Step 6: Remove it from the oven and let it rest in the tin for 10 min. Then de-mould the cake on a plate/tray. Let it cool for another 5 minutes. Then, slowly remove the butter paper (if used) and keep it aside.

For Tres Leches Mixture -

• Step 1: For evaporated milk - Pour 1 cup milk in a heavy-based saucepan. Keep stirring until it comes to a boil. Allow the milk to simmer on low flame with continuous stirring to avoid any burning. Once the milk reduces to half of the initial quantity, then stop simmering. The evaporated milk is ready.
• Step 2: In a bowl, take prepared evaporated milk, Nestlé MILKMAID, and cream. Add vanilla essence and whisk it.
• Step 3: Using a fork or toothpick, prick the cake. Pour the prepared Tres Leches mixture all over the cake. Now keep it in the refrigerator for 30 min.

For Frosting -

• Step 1: Pour dahi into a muslin cloth and hang for an hour to get the hung curd.
• Step 2: Whip the hung curd with Nestlé MILKMAID and vanilla essence. Take out the cake from the refrigerator and spread this frosting evenly on the cake.
• Step 3: Our Milk Cake is ready. Garnish with any seasonal fruit on top. Refrigerate and serve chilled.

Tips to Milk Cake (Tres Leches Cake)

• While simmering the milk, stir it regularly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• When adding sweeteners, such as condensed milk, do so gradually and taste as you go.
• Grease the baking pan with oil before pouring the thickened milk mixture into it. This prevents sticking and makes it easier to remove the Milk Cake once it's cooled. You can also use butter or ghee instead of oil in the Milk Cake recipe.
• Once the Milk Cake is cooked and removed from the pan, let it cool completely at room temperature. This allows it to set and firm up before slicing.

FAQs on Milk Cake (Tres Leches Cake)

1. Can Milk Cake be made ahead of time with the above recipe?

Yes, with the above easy Milk Cake recipe, the dessert can be made in advance. It keeps well in the refrigerator for several days, allowing you to prepare it ahead of time for special occasions or gatherings.

2. What is the average preparation time for making Milk Cake?

The time required to make the dessert can vary depending on the Milk Cake recipe and the heat level used for simmering the milk. With Nestlé MILKMAID and our Milk Cake recipe, it takes just 30 minutes of preparation time and 20 minutes of baking time.

3. How do I know when the milk has thickened enough?

The milk should have reduced to about half its original volume and have a thick, creamy consistency. You can check by stirring and observing its consistency. It's important to be patient and allow the milk to reduce slowly over low to medium heat to achieve the desired consistency and enjoy a delicious homemade Milk Cake.

4. Why is my Tres Leches Cake soggy?

There are usually two main reasons for a soggy Tres Leches Cake:

● Cake too warm - Hot cake absorbs the milk mixture too quickly, turning it mushy. Let the cake cool fully before adding milk.

● Soaked for too long - Milk Cake needs to soak, but too long makes it soggy. Follow our Tres Leches Cake or Milk Cake recipe timing for soaking and refrigerate for a few hours to set properly.

5. How should I store Milk Cake?

Milk Cake should be stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap to keep it fresh. It can be kept at room temperature for a day or two, but it is advisable to refrigerate it for a longer shelf life.