Gluten-Free Tres Leches (Dairy-Free Option)

A light and luscious gluten-free Tres Leches cake soaked in a sweet and creamy milk mixture and topped with fluffy whipped cream and fresh strawberries for a perfectly dreamy dessert. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make, too! The recipe can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or regular.

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Why You’ll Love This Gluten-Free Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Made from scratch with simple ingredients, this gluten-free tres leche cake is easy to make and is adaptable to your dietary preferences. This moist cake comes together deliciously for a decadent treat, afternoon snack, or special occasion celebration. Here’s why you’ll love it:

Versatile – Sheet cake or cupcake, this recipe can be baked and enjoyed in a few different forms.

Perfect Flavor Combination – Super moist vanilla sponge cake coated with a rich milk-based mixture and then topped with whipped cream for various textures and flavors in each bite.

Dietary/Lifestyle Friendly – A recipe tailored to all dietary/lifestyle needs.

What Is a Tres Leches Cake?

Tres leches is a Latin American dessert made with three types of milk: evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and milk, hence the name ‘tres’, which means three. This indulgently moist cake is usually topped with whipped cream and often fresh fruit.

Ingredients and Substitutions For Gluten-Free Tres Leches

This recipe was baked and photographed as gluten-free and dairy-free. That said, I test each recipe with the regular ingredients and make notes of alternatives or swaps so that everyone can enjoy it.

These are a few key ingredients for this cake. Scroll to the bottom recipe card for the complete ingredient list.

Gluten-Free Tres Leches Cake

Flour: I used a 1-1 gluten-free flour blend. If gluten-free isn’t a concern, you can use all-purpose flour.

Eggs: I like to bake with large white eggs at room temperature. This cake will work with egg substitutes such as Just Egg or aquafaba, but the texture will be denser.

Sugar: White granulated sugar is best for this cake. Coconut sugar, while creating a darker cake, will work. Organic cane sugar will work for a swap as well.

Milk: Regular and plant-based milk will both work. I like to use unsweetened almond milk.

Three Milk Soak

Sweetened condensed milk: You can use regular or plant-based.

Evaporated milk: Most stores will provide regular and plant-based canned options. Half & half or plant-based coffee creamer would work too. An easy and affordable option would be to make your own evaporated milk. Using any kind of milk, simmer 24 ounces on the stove until it reduces by half. Allow to cool before using.

Milk: Here too, regular or plant-based will work. I like to use unsweetened almond milk.

Whipped Cream Topping

Heavy whipping cream: Regular, plant-based, or full-fat canned coconut milk will all work.

Powdered sugar: I added a little bit of powdered sugar to sweeten up the whipped cream.

Optional: Top with fresh strawberries and sparkly white sprinkles.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Get the oven going to 350ºF and ready a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick baking spray.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
3. In a stand or electric mixer, on high speed, combine sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract for 10 minutes. Don’t compromise on the mixing time, it’s important to beat the batter for a full 10 minutes so it looks fluffy and is a light yellow color.
4. Turn the mixer to low and add half of the flour mixture, followed by the milk, and finish with the remaining flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
5. Pour the batter into the baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-23 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs or the internal temperature reaches 205ºC.
6. Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 30 minutes.
7. Prepare the three milk syrup by whisking together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and milk.
8. With a fork, toothpick, or wooden skewer, poke holes all over the cake and slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake. Pour slowly and allow the cake to absorb the liquid before pouring more on.
9. Let the cake chill, covered, for at least 6 hours or up to 2 days.
10. Combine the whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt and whisk using a hand or stand mixer on high speed until soft peaks form.
11. Spread the whipped cream over the chilled cake and, if desired, top with fresh berries and sprinkles. Enjoy!

How To Store & Freeze A Gluten-Free Tres Leches

Store leftover gluten-free tres leches cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

You can freeze the plain cake itself, not with the syrup and whipped cream. If you want a head start, make the cake a few days ahead, and fully thaw it before adding the milk mixture and whipped cream.

Fun Flavor Variations

Though this simple and classic tres leche cake is amazing, you can switch things up. Here are a few ways to do so:

• Add instant espresso powder or coffee to the three milk mixture for a hint of coffee flavor.
• Use almond extract, your favorite jam, or a touch of amaretto in the whipped cream.
• Top the cake with shaved chocolate, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, or even a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.
• Scatter coconut flakes or toasted almond slivers over the top of the cake for a touch of crunch.

FAQs

Does tres leche cake need to be refrigerated?

Yes, tres leche cake is best stored in the refrigerator.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

The cake can be made a few weeks in advance and frozen, but you should add the three milk mixture and topping the day you want to serve it or the night before.

Does the cake get soggy with all the milk poured onto it?

No, the cake absorbs the milk, making it incredibly moist but not fall-apart-soggy.

The Best Tres Leche Cake

This gluten-free Tres Leches cake has the most delicious combination of creamy flavors and textures. A tender vanilla sponge cake soaked with a creamy and rich milk mixture and then topped with luscious whipping cream. Truly a melt-in-your-mouth treat that everyone will love.

An adaptable ingredient list allows you to tailor this recipe to suit all dietary or lifestyle needs. Everybody deserves cake, and now they can have it!

Tag me on social media @cakedbykatie and leave me a star rating and review below if you make it. I cannot wait to see!

More Simple & Delicious Cake Recipes

• Gluten Free Yellow Cake (Dairy-Free)
• Vegan Red Velvet Cake (Gluten-Free)
• Gluten Free Maple Bourbon Cake (Dairy-Free)

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