How to Make Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

If you love moist, rich, and creamy cakes, then this strawberry tres leches cake is a must-try! This Latin-inspired dessert takes the traditional tres leches cake and adds a fresh, fruity twist with sweet strawberry flavor infused into every bite.

Soaked in a blend of three milks (tres leches)—evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream—this cake is incredibly soft and decadent. The fresh strawberry puree enhances the flavor, making it a perfect dessert for summer gatherings, birthdays, or any special occasion.

This best strawberry tres leches cake recipe is easy to follow and can be customized in various ways, from mini strawberry tres leches cakes to strawberry tres leches cupcakes. Whether you’re looking for a TikTok-inspired recipe or a more authentic strawberry tres leches cake, this guide will walk you through the perfect way to make it at home.

Let’s explore what makes this cake so special and irresistible!

Key Benefits of Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

This strawberry tres leches cake is a creamy, rich, and refreshing twist on the traditional tres leches cake. The combination of light, fluffy sponge cake, a sweet milk soak, and fresh strawberry flavor makes it one of the best desserts to impress family and friends. Here’s why you’ll love it:

✔️ Incredibly Moist and Soft – The three-milk mixture (evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream) soaks into the sponge cake, creating an ultra-moist texture that melts in your mouth.

✔️ Bursting with Strawberry Flavor – Unlike regular tres leches cake, this version includes fresh strawberry puree in the milk soak and frosting, giving it a natural, fruity sweetness.

✔️ Light Yet Indulgent – While it’s rich and creamy, the airy sponge cake keeps it from feeling too heavy, making it perfect for summer or special occasions.

✔️ Perfect for Any Occasion – Whether you’re making a birthday cake, a holiday dessert, or looking for a unique twist on tres leches, this cake is guaranteed to impress.

✔️ Easy to Customize – You can turn this into mini strawberry tres leches cakes, strawberry tres leches cupcakes, or even a layered version for a fancier presentation.

✔️ Authentic Meets Modern – This recipe balances the traditional tres leches technique with a fresh, modern strawberry twist, making it the best strawberry tres leches cake recipe to try!

Now that you know why this cake is so special, let’s go over the key ingredients you’ll need to bring it to life.

Ingredients for Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

To create the best strawberry tres leches cake, you’ll need a mix of classic tres leches ingredients along with fresh strawberries to infuse the cake with natural fruity sweetness.

For the Cake

This light sponge cake absorbs the tres leches milk mixture while remaining fluffy.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour – Provides structure while keeping the cake light.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder – Helps the cake rise properly.
• ¼ teaspoon salt – Enhances flavor balance.
• 5 large eggs, separated – Yolks add richness, while whipped egg whites create an airy texture.
• 1 cup granulated sugar – Divided for better incorporation into the batter.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds depth of flavor.
• ¼ cup whole milk – Keeps the cake moist.

For the Strawberry Tres Leches Milk Mixture

This creamy milk blend makes the cake ultra moist and rich.

• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk – Adds a light dairy richness.
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk – Provides natural sweetness.
• ¾ cup heavy cream – Adds extra creaminess.
• ½ cup fresh strawberry puree – Infuses the milk soak with fruity flavor.

For the Strawberry Whipped Topping

A light, creamy, and slightly sweet topping that pairs beautifully with the cake.

• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream – Creates a fluffy topping.
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar – Sweetens the whipped topping lightly.
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract – Complements the strawberry flavor.
• ½ cup fresh strawberry puree – Naturally flavors and colors the whipped topping.

For Garnishing (Optional but Recommended)

• Fresh sliced strawberries – Adds freshness and a beautiful finishing touch.
• Mint leaves – For a pop of color and elegance.
• White chocolate shavings – A delicate garnish for extra sweetness.

With these high-quality ingredients, your homemade strawberry tres leches cake will be perfectly moist, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. Now, let’s move on to the step-by-step process of making this delicious dessert!

How to Make Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Making this strawberry tres leches cake involves three key steps: baking the light sponge cake, preparing the strawberry-infused tres leches milk mixture, and topping it with a fluffy strawberry whipped cream. Follow this step-by-step guide to create a moist, flavorful dessert!

Step 1: Bake the Sponge Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Separate the eggs into two bowls (whites in one, yolks in another).
4. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the egg yolks and ¾ cup of sugar on high speed until the mixture turns pale and thick (about 2 minutes). Stir in vanilla extract and milk.
5. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. Slowly add the remaining ¼ cup sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.
7. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the cake batter using a spatula. This keeps the cake light and airy.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Let the cake cool completely before adding the tres leches soak.

Step 2: Prepare the Strawberry Tres Leches Milk Mixture

1. In a blender, combine evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and fresh strawberry puree. Blend until smooth.
2. Once the cake has cooled, use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the cake. This helps the milk mixture absorb evenly.
3. Slowly pour the strawberry tres leches mixture over the cake, making sure it soaks into every part.
4. Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight for best results).

Step 3: Make the Strawberry Whipped Topping

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract on high speed until soft peaks form.
2. Add the strawberry puree and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip.
3. Spread the whipped topping evenly over the chilled, soaked cake.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish with fresh sliced strawberries for a decorative touch.
2. (Optional) Sprinkle white chocolate shavings or mint leaves for an elegant finish.
3. Slice and serve cold! This cake is best enjoyed chilled for a rich and creamy texture.

Now that your homemade strawberry tres leches cake is ready, let’s go over pro tips and variations to make it even better!

Pro Tips and Variations

Want to ensure your strawberry tres leches cake turns out moist, flavorful, and picture-perfect every time? Follow these expert tips and fun variations to customize and elevate your cake!

Pro Tips for the Best Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

✔️ Use Room Temperature Ingredients – Let the eggs, butter, and milk come to room temperature before using. This helps create a smooth, evenly mixed batter.

✔️ Don’t Overmix the Batter – Fold the egg whites gently into the batter to keep the cake light and airy. Overmixing can make the cake dense.

✔️ Poke Enough Holes for Maximum Absorption – Use a fork or wooden skewer to poke evenly spaced holes all over the cake before pouring the tres leches mixture. This ensures the cake absorbs all the sweet strawberry milk flavor.

✔️ Chill the Cake for the Best Texture – Let the cake soak for at least 4 hours (or overnight). This allows the milk to be fully absorbed, making the cake extra moist and creamy.

✔️ Make the Whipped Topping Last – Prepare the strawberry whipped topping only when you’re ready to frost the cake to keep it light and fresh.

✔️ For a Stronger Strawberry Flavor – Add a teaspoon of strawberry extract to the tres leches mixture or frosting for an extra burst of strawberry goodness.

Fun Variations to Try

Strawberry Tres Leches Cupcakes – Bake the cake batter in cupcake tins and poke holes in each cupcake before soaking them in the strawberry tres leches mixture.

Mini Strawberry Tres Leches Cakes – Pour the batter into small ramekins for individual servings. These are perfect for parties and special events!

Chocolate Strawberry Tres Leches Cake – Replace ¼ cup of flour with cocoa powder for a chocolate-flavored sponge cake with a strawberry-infused milk soak.

Tropical Strawberry Tres Leches Cake – Add a splash of coconut milk to the tres leches mixture and top with mango or pineapple slices for a tropical twist.

Strawberry Cheesecake Tres Leches Cake – Add a layer of sweetened cream cheese frosting under the whipped topping for a rich cheesecake-inspired version.

These pro tips and variations allow you to customize your strawberry tres leches cake while keeping the traditional creamy texture and fresh strawberry flavor. Now, let’s go over the best ways to serve and store this cake!

Serving Suggestions

This strawberry tres leches cake is a refreshing, creamy dessert that tastes best when served cold. Whether you’re making it for a birthday, summer gathering, or just a sweet craving, here are the best ways to serve and store it for maximum flavor and freshness.

Best Ways to Serve Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Chilled for the Perfect Texture – Since the cake is soaked in a rich milk mixture, it’s best served cold for a smooth, creamy, and refreshing texture.

With Extra Strawberry Sauce – Drizzle strawberry puree or strawberry jam over each slice for even more fruit flavor.

Paired with Ice Cream – Serve with a scoop of vanilla, strawberry, or coconut ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

With Coffee or Tea – The sweet and creamy flavors pair perfectly with a hot espresso, latte, or chamomile tea.

With a White Chocolate Drizzle – Melted white or dark chocolate drizzled on top adds a beautiful finishing touch.

Topped with Fresh Berries – Garnish each slice with strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for an elegant presentation.

How to Store Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Since this cake contains fresh dairy and fruit, proper storage is key to keeping it fresh and delicious.

• Refrigeration (Best Option) – Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. The longer it sits, the better it soaks up the milk mixture.
• Freezing (Not Recommended for Soaked Cake) – Because of its high moisture content, freezing a fully assembled tres leches cake is not recommended. However, you can freeze the unsoaked sponge cake for up to 2 months and then prepare the milk soak fresh when ready to serve.
• Avoid Leaving at Room Temperature – Due to the whipped topping and dairy-based soak, this cake should not be left out for more than 2 hours.

Make-Ahead Tips

✔️ Cake Base – Bake the sponge cake up to 2 days in advance, wrap it tightly, and store it at room temperature until ready to soak.
✔️ Strawberry Milk Mixture – Blend and refrigerate the tres leches mixture up to 2 days ahead for easy preparation.
✔️ Whipped Topping – Prepare the whipped cream fresh on the day of serving for the best texture.

By following these serving and storage tips, you’ll ensure that your strawberry tres leches cake stays fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented every time! Now, let’s wrap up with a few final thoughts before answering common questions.

Conclusion

This strawberry tres leches cake is the perfect combination of moist sponge cake, a rich and creamy milk soak, and fresh strawberry flavor, making it one of the most irresistible and refreshing desserts you can make. Whether you’re looking for an authentic strawberry tres leches cake, a TikTok-inspired twist, or even mini strawberry tres leches cakes, this recipe has you covered.

The sweet and tangy strawberry infusion adds a refreshing twist to the classic tres leches cake, making it perfect for birthdays, summer gatherings, or any special occasion. Plus, with simple make-ahead options and customizable variations, this cake is as fun to make as it is to eat!

Now that you have the full recipe, let’s go over some frequently asked questions to help you achieve perfect results every time!

FAQs