Homemade Crumbl Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Crumbl Tres Leches Cake is a dessert that’s sure to make your taste buds dance with joy. I’ve had my fair share of sweet treats, but there’s something about the luxurious texture and flavor of tres leches that keeps me coming back for more. And when it’s from Crumbl, you know it’s going to be extraordinary.

How to make Crumbl Tres Leches Cake

Crumbl Tres Leches Cake is a limited-time dessert offering that showcases the brand’s take on the classic Latin American treat. It features a light, fluffy vanilla cake soaked in a traditional tres leches sauce—a blend of three pints of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs (separated into yolks and whites)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Tres Leches Mixture:

• 1 cup (237ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (118ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (118ml) evaporated milk
• ½ cup (118ml) sweetened condensed milk

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

• 1 cup (237ml) heavy whipping cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
4. Add egg yolks and vanilla: Gradually mix in egg yolks and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Fold in dry ingredients: Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture until combined. Avoid overmixing.
6. Beat egg whites: In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
7. Incorporate egg whites: Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter using a spatula. This will help achieve a light and airy cake texture.
8. Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 2: Make the Tres Leches Milk Mixture

1. Combine the milk: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, evaporated milk, and condensed milk until smooth.
2. Cool and soak: Once the cake is baked, allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. Using a fork or skewer, poke holes all over the surface of the cake.
3. Pour the milk mixture: Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake, ensuring it’s fully soaked. Cover and refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight to absorb the milk.

Step 3: Make the Whipped Cream Topping

1. Beat cream: Using an electric mixer, whip the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
2. Spread over cake: Once the cake has soaked, spread the whipped cream evenly over the surface.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

1. Optional: Add milk mixture drizzle on top, sprinkle with cinnamon, or garnish with fresh fruit like strawberries for a Crumbl-inspired finish.
2. Serve chilled for the best flavor.

Tips for Success

• Room temperature ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature for even blending and optimal cake texture.
• Don’t skip egg white folding: Folding in whipped egg whites adds lightness to the cake and prevents it from being dense.
• Poking holes in the cake: Use a skewer or fork to poke enough holes so the milk mixture can soak thoroughly.
• Refrigerating overnight: The longer you refrigerate the cake after soaking, the better the flavor and texture.
• Adjust sweetness: Crumbl’s version is sweet, but you can reduce the amount of condensed milk if you prefer the cake less sweet.
• Presentation: Serve slices with a drizzle of additional condensed milk or decorate with fresh fruit for added flair.

What to serve with

When serving Crumbl Tres Leches Cake, you might want to serve side items that complement its creamy and sweet profile without overpowering it.

Beverages:

• Coffee and Tea: A cup of hot coffee or a selection of teas can perfectly complement the milky sweetness of the Crumbl Tres Leches Cake, as these beverages have a slight bitterness that can balance the flavor palate.
• Cold Milk: A cold glass of milk can emphasize the creamy aspect of the Crumbl Tres Leches Cake, providing a rich, cohesive experience.
• Dessert Wine: Options like a Moscato d’Asti, which is sweet and lightly sparkling, can enhance the dining experience when having such a rich dessert.

Fresh Fruit and Compotes:

• Berries: Fresh strawberries, raspberries, or a berry compote provide acidity and lightness, which can cut through the richness of the Crumbl Tres Leches Cake.
• Tropical Fruits: Mango slices, pineapple, or papaya can bring a tropical feel that pairs nicely with the Crumbl Tres Leches Cake.

Ice Cream or Sorbet:

• Vanilla Ice Cream: A classic side that adds a cooling effect and a soft texture contrast.
• Fruit Sorbet: A citrus or berry sorbet, with its lighter and tangy essence, can cleanse the palate between bites of the cake.

Sweet Sauces and Syrups:

• Dulce de Leche or Caramel Sauce: Drizzling a bit of caramel or Dulce de Leche can add a layer of gooey sweetness.
• Chocolate Sauce: For chocolate lovers, a light chocolate drizzle can be complementary, but be judicious so it doesn’t overshadow the delicate flavors of the cake.

Light Cookies and Biscuits:

• Shortbread or Biscotti: These can add a pleasing crunch and variety in texture with the soft cake.
• Wafer Cookies: Light wafer cookies also complement the smoothness of the Tres Leches Cake without being too heavy.

Nuts and Whipped Cream:

• Toasted Nuts: Sprinkle toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts on top for a crunchy contrast.
• Extra Whipped Cream: Offer additional whipped cream on the side for those who desire an even creamier experience.

A Light Salad:

• Citrus Salad: A salad with citrus fruits, mint leaves, and a light sweet dressing can be a refreshing palate cleanser to start or finish a meal.

Cheese Board:

• Mild Cheese Selection: For a gourmet touch, offer a platter with mild cheeses such as Brie or Mascarpone, which won’t compete with the cake’s milky flavors.

Ingredients Substitutes

Making Crumbl Tres Leches Cake at home can be a delightful experience. If you need to substitute certain ingredients due to allergies, dietary preferences, or availability, here is a detailed guide on ingredient substitutes.

Cake Ingredients Substitutes

1. All-Purpose Flour

If you don’t have all-purpose flour or need a gluten-free option:

• Cake Flour: For a softer texture, you can use cake flour. For every cup of all-purpose flour, substitute with 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of cake flour.
• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: Use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Brands like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur offer great blends.
• Almond or Coconut Flour: For low-carb or grain-free options, you can use almond or coconut flour. Be cautious with measurements—almond flour works in a 1:1 ratio, while coconut flour tends to absorb more liquid and may require adjustments to the wet ingredients.

2. Granulated Sugar

If you’re out of granulated sugar or wish to use a healthier alternative:

• Brown Sugar: Gives a slightly caramel flavor to your cake and can replace granulated sugar in a 1:1 ratio.
• Coconut Sugar: A natural alternative that can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio, adding a subtle depth of flavor.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: For a natural sweetener, replace 1 cup of sugar with ¾ cup of honey or maple syrup. Note that these substitutes will make the batter more liquidy, so reduce other liquids slightly.

3. Eggs

Eggs often provide structure and moisture to the cake batter. If you need alternatives:

• Flaxseed Meal (Vegan Option): Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg. Let it sit for 5 minutes to form a gel-like consistency.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Replace each egg with ¼ cup of applesauce. This works well for moisture but might make the cake denser.
• Mashed Banana: Similar to applesauce, mashed banana can replace eggs in the same ratio. Keep in mind it will slightly flavor the cake.
• Egg Substitutes: Commercial egg replacers like Ener-G work well for baking.

Tres Leches Mixture Substitutes

The Tres Leches (three milks) mixture is fundamental to this recipe. Here are substitutes for key ingredients:

1. Whole Milk

If whole milk isn’t available or you prefer a dairy-free option:

• Skim or Low-Fat Milk: These are lighter alternatives, though they won’t provide the same richness.
• Non-Dairy Milk: Almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or oat milk are excellent substitutes. Coconut milk works particularly well because of its creaminess.

2. Sweetened Condensed Milk

If you need an alternative to sweetened condensed milk:

• Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk: Simmer 1¾ cups of milk with ¾ cup of sugar until reduced by half to create your version.
• Coconut Cream + Sugar: Blend a can of unsweetened coconut cream with sugar, then simmer to thicken. This works well for a dairy-free option.
• Evaporated Milk + Sugar: Add sugar to evaporated milk to mimic the sweetness and consistency of sweetened condensed milk.

3. Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk is also part of the Tres Leches mixture. If unavailable:

• Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half: These can replace evaporated milk, though they will increase the richness and creaminess of the cake.
• Non-Dairy Evaporated Milk: Brands like Carnation offer dairy-free evaporated milk, or you can use canned coconut milk as a substitute.
• Whole Milk: It’s thinner but works in a pinch.

4. Heavy Whipping Cream

If you need to replace heavy cream for the soaking mixture or whipped topping:

• Coconut Cream: For a dairy-free option, chill a can of unsweetened coconut cream and whip it to mimic heavy cream.
• Greek Yogurt + Milk: Combine equal parts of Greek yogurt and milk to achieve a similar consistency.
• Half-and-Half: While less creamy, it can be a suitable substitute in baking or soaking mixtures.

Toppings Substitutes

1. Whipped Cream

Whipped cream is a signature topping for Tres Leches Cake. Here are substitutes:

• Coconut Whipped Cream: For a dairy-free option, use chilled coconut cream, whip it, and sweeten with powdered sugar or vanilla.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: For extra richness, you can make a cream cheese frosting as a topping.
• Greek Yogurt Topping: Sweetened Greek yogurt can create a tangy and lighter substitute.

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is often sprinkled on top for garnish. Possible substitutes:

• Nutmeg or Pumpkin Spice: These can add a similar warm flavor.
• Cocoa Powder: For a different twist, sprinkle some unsweetened cocoa powder instead.

Final Thoughts

Remember, balance is essential when pairing different foods. When serving something as distinctive and rich as Tres Leches Cake, it’s best to offer items that will either enhance or gently contrast its flavors, rather than compete with them.

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