When it comes to indulgent desserts, few can rival the divine decadence of Tres Leches Cupcakes. These miniature treats take inspiration from the classic Tres Leches cake, a beloved Latin American dessert, and transform it into a portable, bite-sized form that’s perfect for any occasion.
A Touch of Latin American Tradition
Originating from Latin America, Tres Leches means “three milks” in Spanish, and hints to the secret to this beloved dessert. The cake is soaked in a mixture of three different kinds of milk—sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and cream—creating a moist, velvety texture that’s nothing short of heavenly.
The Sponge: a wonderful base
Tres Leches Cupcakes start with a light and airy sponge cake as the base. This sponge is delicate yet sturdy enough to absorb the three-milk mixture without becoming soggy. The result is a cupcake that literally melts in your mouth, with a subtle sweetness and a hint of vanilla that sets the stage for the impending milk bath.
The Soaking Process
The magic of Tres Leches Cupcakes lies in the soaking process. Once the cupcakes are baked and cooled, they are pierced with tiny holes for the three milk mixture to seep in.
I made these little cupcakes for Cinco de Mayo along with little mini chili pepper pinatas and they were a HUGE hit! I will definitely be making these more often and not just for Cinco de Mayo. My husband said they were the best cupcakes he ever had! They were DELICIOUS!
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Tres Leche Cupcakes
Ingredients
Easy White Cupcakes (I used this recipe for the cupcakes–it is a little more substantial.)
- 1 box white cake mix (Duncan Hines super moist is best, and yes that’s not what’s in my photo)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 4 egg whites
- 1 1/3 cups water
- 2 Tbs vegetable oil
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (use clear vanilla if you want a pure white cake)
- 1 tsp almond extract
Tres Leche Cupcakes
- 24 cupcakes
- 8 oz. evaporated milk
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 pint whipping cream, divided
- Sliced fresh fruit (like strawberries, optional)
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Mix all dry ingredients with a whisk, then add wet ingredients. Beat for two minutes until fluffy..
- Fill paper liners 3/4 full and bake according to box directions. Makes 36 cupcakes.
- Bake cupcakes according to recipe directions in FOIL LINERS. This is very important because it helps contain the milk mixture.
- After cupcakes have cooled, use a bamboo skewer to poke several holes in each cupcake. Set aside.
Tres Leche Cupcakes:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and 3/4 c. of whipping cream. Use a ladle to pour the milk mixture over each cupcake. Place the cupcakes in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, beat the remaining 1 1/4 c. of whipping cream until medium peaks form. Gently fold in the caramel syrup and pipe or dollop the whipped cream on each of the cupcakes. If desired, toss the sliced fruit with the lime juice and top the cupcakes with the sliced fruit. Serve on a small plate with a dessert spoon.
Recipe Source: adapted from Our Best Bites
HI Gay! That is a good point you noticed. I actually haven’t made these for a while so I don’t remember exactly BUT I don’t remember ever having extras. I would say–just save the extra 12 cupcakes in your freezer to frost for something else.
HI Gay! That is a good point you noticed. I actually haven’t made these for a while so I don’t remember exactly BUT I don’t remember ever having extras. I would say–just save the extra 12 cupcakes in your freezer to frost for something else.
I want to try this recipe…but a question before I dive in…The way I am reading this you start with the Easy White Cupcake recipe that makes 36 cupcakes however when preparing the Tres Leche cupcakes it becomes 24. Does this mean you use 24 of the 36 already prepared white? Or do you make 24 white in a larger cupcake liner for the Tres Leche version. Thank you!
I want to try this recipe…but a question before I dive in…The way I am reading this you start with the Easy White Cupcake recipe that makes 36 cupcakes however when preparing the Tres Leche cupcakes it becomes 24. Does this mean you use 24 of the 36 already prepared white? Or do you make 24 white in a larger cupcake liner for the Tres Leche version. Thank you!
Hi Noelle,
I have never tried to freeze them but if I did–I would probably just freeze the cakes before I put the milk mixture on them. Then defrost and put that on before serving.
Hi Noelle,
I have never tried to freeze them but if I did–I would probably just freeze the cakes before I put the milk mixture on them. Then defrost and put that on before serving.
Can these be frozen?
Can these be frozen?
Denise–Yes you add the rest of the ingredients to the cake mix. It is kind of silly–but it makes a great cupcake! A little more substantial for all the “leaches” you pour on after:)
Denise–Yes you add the rest of the ingredients to the cake mix. It is kind of silly–but it makes a great cupcake! A little more substantial for all the “leaches” you pour on after:)
I am thinking you mean either use the white cake mix or make the cake from scratch but do not mean adding the cake mix with the rest of the ingredients as listed ~~is that correct ????~~so more of an either or thing ???? am7f
I am thinking you mean either use the white cake mix or make the cake from scratch but do not mean adding the cake mix with the rest of the ingredients as listed ~~is that correct ????~~so more of an either or thing ???? am7f
Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t
loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking
issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same
outcome.
Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t
loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking
issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same
outcome.
I made these cupcakes for a friend’s future hubby for his birthday and OMG, this recipe is amazing. I was beyond happy with the results. The only change I made was to fold in the caramel into the whipped topping I made and also add a bit to the top for decoration. Thanks for sharing. This recipe is definite being added to my list of faves.
I made these cupcakes for a friend’s future hubby for his birthday and OMG, this recipe is amazing. I was beyond happy with the results. The only change I made was to fold in the caramel into the whipped topping I made and also add a bit to the top for decoration. Thanks for sharing. This recipe is definite being added to my list of faves.
These were fantastic! I made them and got a lot of compliments on them. I’m making them for an upcoming baby shower I’m hosting. They did get messy when using a ladle to pour the tres leches mixture over the cupcake. It ran down the side of the cupcake liner and made it quite sticky. I think next time I am going to inject the tres leches mixture into the cupcake using a little dropper. Hope it works!
These were fantastic! I made them and got a lot of compliments on them. I’m making them for an upcoming baby shower I’m hosting. They did get messy when using a ladle to pour the tres leches mixture over the cupcake. It ran down the side of the cupcake liner and made it quite sticky. I think next time I am going to inject the tres leches mixture into the cupcake using a little dropper. Hope it works!
This sounds and looks amazing! We are Mexican food lovers in this house and I’m sure this is going to be a hit!!! Thanks for sharing!!! 🙂
Have a great long weekend!!!
xoxo, Ana
My (Newly)Wed Life
This sounds and looks amazing! We are Mexican food lovers in this house and I’m sure this is going to be a hit!!! Thanks for sharing!!! 🙂
Have a great long weekend!!!
xoxo, Ana
My (Newly)Wed Life
These are the BEST!! Thank you so so much for sharing your recipe!
These are the BEST!! Thank you so so much for sharing your recipe!
Ever thoughtful Melanie was kind enough to bring some of these over to her neighbors when she made them and they were AMAZING! I can’t wait to make them myself!!
Thanks Melanie!
Rick and Nancy
Ever thoughtful Melanie was kind enough to bring some of these over to her neighbors when she made them and they were AMAZING! I can’t wait to make them myself!!
Thanks Melanie!
Rick and Nancy
those sound so fun to make! And after the rave reviews you told me about, I can’t wait to taste them! I agree with Heather too – those little peppers are adorable! They don’t look easy… I’m curious how to make them… 🙂
those sound so fun to make! And after the rave reviews you told me about, I can’t wait to taste them! I agree with Heather too – those little peppers are adorable! They don’t look easy… I’m curious how to make them… 🙂
I love tres leches cake, but I have never thought to make them in cupcake form! And I can’t wait for the piñata tutorial because it is so cute!
I love tres leches cake, but I have never thought to make them in cupcake form! And I can’t wait for the piñata tutorial because it is so cute!
I LOVE Tres Leche. I am definitely going to try them out, sis. Can’t wait!
I LOVE Tres Leche. I am definitely going to try them out, sis. Can’t wait!