Homemade Costco Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Amid the towering shelves and tempting deals at Costco, one item has stood out above the rest—the beloved Costco Tres Leches Cake. Rich, creamy, and decadently sweet, it’s the kind of dessert that makes you pause mid-bite just to savor the flavor.

How to make Costco Tres Leches Cake

Costco Tres Leches Cake is a popular dessert sold at Costco bakeries, especially in the U.S. and some Latin American markets.

Ingredients

For the Sponge Cake:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 5 large eggs (separated into yolks and whites)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (divided into ¾ cup for yolks and ¼ cup for whites)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Tres Leches Milk Mixture:

• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup heavy cream

For the Caramel Mousse Topping (Costco-inspired):

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons caramel sauce or dulce de leche
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

For Decoration:

• Chocolate shards or chocolate curls (optional, to mimic the Costco topping)
• Extra caramel sauce for drizzling

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Sponge Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch rectangular baking dish.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Prepare egg yolks: In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with ¾ cup sugar until thick and pale yellow. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Whip egg whites: In another bowl, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining ¼ cup sugar while beating until stiff peaks form.
5. Combine ingredients: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the egg yolk mixture. Add the dry ingredients in small batches, folding carefully until combined.
6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool slightly.

Step 2: Prepare the Tres Leches Milk Mixture

1. In a bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream.
2. Once the sponge cake has cooled, use a fork or toothpick to poke holes all over the surface. These will allow the milk mixture to soak in.
3. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the entire cake, ensuring every part absorbs the liquid. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, or better yet, overnight for maximum flavor.

Step 3: Make the Caramel Mousse Topping

1. In a chilled mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
2. Add the caramel sauce (or dulce de leche) and continue whipping until stiff peaks form. The mousse should be fluffy and easily spreadable.

Step 4: Assemble and Decorate

1. Spread the caramel mousse evenly over the chilled Tres Leches cake.
2. Drizzle with extra caramel sauce for that signature Costco look.
3. Garnish with chocolate shards or curls for added visual appeal.

Tips for Success

• Use room-temperature eggs for the sponge cake to ensure a light, airy texture.
• Chill the cake overnight after adding the milk mixture—this enhances the flavor and ensures the liquid is fully absorbed.
• Homemade caramel sauce vs store-bought: If you have the time, make your caramel from scratch for unbeatable flavor. However, store-bought options like dulce de leche work wonderfully in a pinch.
• For extra richness, consider incorporating a layer of sliced strawberries between the cake and mousse topping.

What to serve with

Costco Tres Leches Cake, famous for its light sponge and creamy milk-soaked richness, is already a crowd-pleaser on its own. However, pairing it with complementary sides, drinks, or garnishes can elevate the entire dessert experience.

1. Fresh Fruit and Berries

Adding a side of fresh fruit enhances the creamy texture and sweetness of Costco Tres Leches Cake, providing balance and refreshing bites.

Suggested Fruits:

• Sliced strawberries: Sweet and slightly tart strawberries work wonderfully with the caramel and creaminess of the Costco Tres Leches Cake.
• Raspberries: Their tart flavor complements the rich milk base and caramel mousse.
• Mango slices: Mango adds tropical sweetness and pairs beautifully with the cake’s milky richness.
• Blueberries or blackberries: Great for a pop of color and balancing sweetness.

How to Serve: You can serve the fruit either on the side or layer it directly onto the cake for a fresh topping. A bowl of mixed berries next to the cake also gives guests the option to pair with their liking.

2. Whipped Cream or Chantilly Cream

While the Costco-style Tres Leches Cake already has a caramel mousse topping, you could serve extra whipped cream on the side for anyone wanting an additional creamy goodness.

Ingredients for Chantilly Cream:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
2. Serve in a small dish alongside the Tres Leches Cake for guests to add more cream as desired.

3. A Scoop of Ice Cream

Pairing Tres Leches Cake with ice cream highlights its dessert decadence and enhances its creamy profile with contrasting flavors.

Best Ice Cream Flavors to Pair:

• Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Its light, creamy taste complements the sweet notes of the milk-infused cake.
• Salted Caramel Ice Cream: This flavor mirrors the caramel mousse in Costco’s cake while adding a subtle salty contrast.
• Coconut Ice Cream: Coconut pairs beautifully with Tres Leches Cake’s tropical undertones, especially if you used mango or tropical fruit as a garnish.

4. Coffee or Espresso

Costco Tres Leches Cake‘s sweetness pairs beautifully with the bold, smooth flavors of coffee, cutting through the richness for a balanced treat.

Coffee Pairing Suggestions:

• Espresso Shots: The strong, concentrated coffee flavor complements the creamy cake while balancing the sweetness.
• Cafe con Leche (Coffee with Milk): A traditional Latino coffee served with milk aligns nicely with Tres Leches Cake’s theme of milk-based richness.
• Iced Coffee: For warmer weather, iced coffee served with milk is refreshing alongside a cold Tres Leches Cake.
• Add a sprinkle of cinnamon on the coffee to tie the flavors to the cake, which traditionally includes hints of cinnamon.

Ingredients Substitutes

Costco Tres Leches Cake is a delicious multilayered dessert inspired by the traditional Latin American treat. It consists of layers of sponge cake soaked in a combination of three milks: evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream. The cake is topped with whipped cream and often garnished with fruits or caramel drizzle.

Cake Base Substitutes

The cake base for Tres Leches Cake is usually a simple sponge or butter cake, which is light and absorbent for soaking up the milk mixture. Common substitutes for cake ingredients include:

1. Flour

• All-Purpose Flour Substitute: For a lighter texture, replace all-purpose flour with cake flour. If you don’t have cake flour, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons cornstarch for a similar effect.
• Gluten-Free Flour: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour blends designed for baking if you require a gluten-free option.

2. Eggs

Egg Substitute (For Egg-Free Cake): Use one of the following per egg:

• Unsweetened Applesauce (¼ cup per egg)
• Ground Flaxseed + Water (1 tablespoon flaxseed + 2½ tablespoons water; let sit until gelatinous)
• Silken Tofu (¼ cup blended tofu per egg)

3. Sugar

Alternative Sweeteners: Substitute granulated sugar with:

• Coconut Sugar for a more caramel-like flavor.
• Honey or Maple Syrup (adjust the amount and reduce liquids slightly in the recipe).
• Stevia or Erythritol for sugar-free options.

Milk Mixture Substitutes

The “three milks” (evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream) are the heart of Tres Leches Cake. Here’s how to find substitutes for these:

1. Evaporated Milk

Substitute Options:

• Regular Milk: Heat whole milk to reduce its water content slightly (you can simmer 1 cup of milk until it reduces to about ¾ cup).
• Coconut Milk: Use canned unsweetened coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
• Oat Milk: Thick oat milk works well as a substitute.

2. Sweetened Condensed Milk

Substitute Options:

• Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk: Simmer 2 cups of milk with 1 cup of sugar until thickened.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Mix canned coconut milk with ½ cup sugar and simmer until reduced.
• Cashew Cream: Blend cashews with water and sweetener for a nut-based substitute.

3. Heavy Cream

Substitute Options:

• Coconut Cream: Use the solid portion of a chilled can of coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
• Whipping Cream: If you can’t find heavy cream, whipping cream is an excellent alternative.
• Greek Yogurt: Dilute plain Greek yogurt with water or milk to achieve a similar consistency.

Whipped Cream Topping Substitutes

The whipped cream topping is essential to Tres Leches Cake, bringing fluffiness and added creaminess.

1. Heavy Cream for Whipping

Substitute Options:

• Coconut Cream Whipped Topping: Whip chilled coconut cream with a bit of powdered sugar.
• Soy or Almond Whipping Cream: Some brands offer high-quality dairy-free whipping creams.
• Greek Yogurt Whipped Topping: Blend yogurt and powdered sugar (while slightly thinner, it’s still delicious).

2. Sweeteners in Whipped Cream

Replace powdered sugar with:

• Honey or Maple Syrup for natural sweeteners.
• Monk Fruit Sweetener for a low-carb option.

Flavor Enhancements Substitutes

Many Tres Leches Cakes are flavored with vanilla extract. However, substitutions can be made to enhance this further.

1. Vanilla Extract

Substitute Options:

• Vanilla Bean Paste for a more intense vanilla flavor.
• Almond Extract or Coconut Extract for a unique twist.
• Rum or Coffee Extract for deeper, richer flavor profiles.

2. Toppings/Garnishes

If Costco’s version uses caramel drizzle and fresh fruit, you can substitute:

• Fruit Preserves or Jam instead of fresh fruits.
• Dulce de Leche or Nutella instead of caramel drizzle.
• Chocolate Shavings, toasted nuts, or shredded coconut for alternate garnishes.

Final Thoughts

Costco Tres Leches Cake is a star on its own, but pairing it creatively with sides like fresh fruits, whipped cream, ice cream, or coffee can make your dessert service feel truly celebratory.

More Costco Recipes:

• Homemade Costco Mediterranean Salad Recipe
• Copycat Costco Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe
• Homemade Costco Carrot Cake Recipe