Tres Leches Cake

It is not certain what the origin of this cake is, but it is very popular in Central America and thus also in the large Central American communities in the U.S. Probably one of the most.delicious.desserts.ever. If you are not into baking, the easier way to do this is to buy a large sponge cake and give it the 3-milk treatment. That way, it is quick and easy. Do try this. Add some dark rum to the icing if you are feeling naughty.

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

5 eggs

125 ml sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

50 ml milk

1 can evaporated milk

1 can sweetened condensed milk

50 ml heavy cream

500 ml heavy cream, for whipping

3 tablespoons sugar

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

Coat 23 cm X 33 cm (9 x 13 inch) pan well with butter

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

Separate the eggs.

Beat the egg yolks with 100 ml sugar on high speed until yolks are pale yellow. Stir in the milk and vanilla essence. Pour the egg yolk mixture over flour mixture and stir very gently until combined.Beat egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. With mixer on, pour in remaing sugar and beat until egg whites are stiff but not dry. Fold the egg white mixture into the other mixture very gently until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan and even out the surface. Bake it for 35 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Turn the cake out onto a rimmed platter and allow it to cool.

Or, Instead of all the above, buy a large sponge cake, square, if possible.

Combine the condensed milk, evaporated milk, and 50 ml heavy cream in a jug. When the cake is cool, pierce the surface with a fork all over (about 100 times). Slowly drizzle as much as you can of the milk mixture over the cake. Try to get the edges of the cake as well. Allow the cake to absorb the milk mixture for 30 minutes. Whip 500 ml heavy cream with 3 tablespoons of sugar until thick and spreadable.

Spread over the surface of the cake. Decorate the cake with whole or chopped maraschino cherries. Cut into squares and serve.