Coconut Tres Leches Cake

Mexican "three milks" cake made easy with a butter cake mix soaked in a mixture of Cream of Coconut, sweetened condensed milk and whole milk topped with coconut. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. JUMP TO THE RECIPE
2. NOTES ON TRES LECHES CAKE
3. FAQ ON CREAM OF COCONUT
4. MORE COCONUT DESSERTS

I asked a coworker of mine if he liked coconut (because I'd brought in one of those Italian Bakeless Cakes) and he told me he'd rather pick up a handful of gravel out of the yard and eat it than eat coconut.  WELL!!

I'm kinda noticing that about coconut.... you either like it or you don't.  There's no gray area.

I'm obsessed with it. I love the flavor but I also associate it with my grandmama who made it seem like a delicacy from a foreign world. She started with whole coconuts and treated every shred of flesh and drop of milk like it was as precious as a strand of saffron or ounce of truffle oil.

Well, for those of you who do like coconut, this is one of my very favorite coconut cake recipes!

Tres Leches means "Three Milks" and it comes from soaking the cake with a mixture of three types of milk. In this version, I use cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk and whole milk. 

Some folks don't love the "wet cake" texture if they've never had similar desserts but I love it! It reminds me of an English pudding or trifle. Mama used to make something called Boiled Tipsy Pudding which was an English trifle with Lady Fingers soaked in a thin boiled custard then chilled and topped with whipped cream and it was TA DIE FOR.

FAQ ON COCONUT TRES LECHES CAKE

Can I use a yellow or white cake mix instead of butter cake?  Technically, yes, but I don't recommend it. Butter cake mix is a little more sturdy and dense than traditional yellow or white cake mixes so it stands up better to the milk mixture.

I can't find butter cake mix, what else can I use?  Use a pound cake mix or my recipe for homemade pound cake. If using my recipe, you will not need all of the batter (it makes a lot). Fill a 13x9 pan half full then pour the remaining batter into a loaf pan. 

How can I make this without coconut or Cream of Coconut?  To make a traditional Tres Leches Cake, replace the Cream of Coconut with a 12-oz can of evaporated milk then dust the top of the cool whip with cinnamon or decorate with slices of kiwi, oranges and strawberries. 

Can I substitute skim milk or low-fat milk for the whole milk?  Yep!

Which type of coconut should I use?  Sweetened Flaked Coconut is the only type I use. It is not the same thing as desiccated or shredded coconut. It is moist, tender and slightly sweetened. Look for Sweetened Flaked Coconut near chocolate chips on the baking aisle. 

FAQ ON CREAM OF COCONUT

Can I use Coconut Milk instead of Cream of Coconut?  No, the two are not equivalent. Coconut milk is a thin, unsweetened non-dairy milk (like almond milk), whereas Cream of Coconut is thick and sweetened.

Are Cream of Coconut and Coconut Cream the same thing?  They are not. Coconut Cream is thick and spreadable like butter. It has a similar consistency to vegetable shortening.

Where can I find Cream of Coconut?  Most grocery stores stock it with cocktail mixers (tonic, bloody mary mix, sour mix, etc.) because it's a staple in Pina Coladas and other dreamy libations. Though you may find some shelved with other canned milks or with Indian and Hispanic cuisine ingredients in the grocery store, it will ALWAYS be where the cocktail mixers are.

Is Cream of Coconut supposed to be separated?  The degree to which the creamiest parts rise to the top of the can depends on temperature and how long it has been sitting still. In all such things, cream rises to the top. Shake the can vigorously before opening. If the contents are still separated, it's completely OK and normal (especially in cooler temperatures). Everything will smooth out beautifully once the three milks are combined and mixed well.

MORE COCONUT DESSERT RECIPES

COCONUT TEXAS SHEET CAKE - A velvety tender Texas sheet cake recipe made with coconut milk for a super moist texture and tons of coconut flavor. 

GOD BLESS AMERICA CAKE - An easy scratch-made cake recipe with crushed pineapple and brown sugar topped with a caramel pecan coconut icing.

COCONUT MACAROON KISSES - A tender and light, yet rich and dreamy recipe for chewy coconut cookies topped with Hershey’s Kiss chocolate 

GERMAN CHOCOLATE SHEET CAKE - An easy German Chocolate sheet cake recipe with a spiffed-up cake mix base and homemade caramel, pecan and coconut icing.

LEMON MACAROON TARTS - Light, chewy coconut macaroon tartlet shells filled with luscious, bright sweet-tart lemon curd topped with whipped cream. 

SNO BALL BROWNIES - An easy recipe for fudgy brownies, marshmallow buttercream and coconut just like the classic Hostess Sno Ball snack cakes! 

Recipe for How to Cook Coconut Tres Leches Cake

Coconut Tres Leches Cake

Yield: 12-15

Author: Mandy Rivers | South Your Mouth

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 30 MinInactive time: 4 HourTotal time: 4 H & 40 M

An easy recipe for Mexican "three milks" cake made with a butter cake mix soaked in a mixture of cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk and whole milk topped with coconut.

Ingredients

• 1 Golden Butter (or Butter Golden) cake mix
• Eggs, butter and water to make the cake
• 1 15-oz can Cream of Coconut
• 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 8-oz. carton cool whip, thawed
• 2-3 cups sweetened flaked coconut

Instructions

1. Make cake per directions for a 13x9 cake. Leave cake in pan and let it cool completely.
2. Once cake has cooled, poke holes all over cake using a wide-tined fork or skewer.
3. Mix cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk and whole milk with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour milk mixture slowly and evenly all over cake.
4. Cover cake and refrigerate at least four hours (up to 24 hours) to allow cake to soak up milk mixture.
5. When ready to serve, spread cake evenly with cool whip then top with coconut. Refrigerate to store.

Notes

• Cream of Coconut cannot be substituted with Coconut Milk or Coconut Cream. You can easily find it where cocktail mixers are sold.
• Feel free to toast the coconut if desired (just be sure to cool completely before adding to cake).
• Sweetened Flaked Coconut is not the same as desiccated or shredded coconut. It is moist, tender and slightly sweetened. Look for Sweetened Flaked Coconut near chocolate chips on the baking aisle.
• Any other questions have likely been answered in the FAQ sections above the recipe card.

https://www.southyourmouth.com/2013/05/tres-leches-cake.html

Images and text © South Your Mouth LLC 2013

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