Cinco de Mayo Tres Leches (Print version)

Fluffy cupcakes soaked in three rich milks, topped with whipped cream and vibrant garnishes for festive occasions.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Cupcakes

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ For the Tres Leches Soak

09 - 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
10 - 1/2 cup evaporated milk
11 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ For the Whipped Cream Topping

12 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
13 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Optional Garnish

15 - Ground cinnamon
16 - Fresh berries or maraschino cherries
17 - Lime zest

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Add half the flour mixture, then the milk, then the remaining flour mixture, mixing gently just until combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full.
07 - Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
08 - Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk in a small bowl.
09 - Once cupcakes are cool but still slightly warm, poke several holes in each with a skewer or fork.
10 - Spoon or slowly pour 2-3 tablespoons of the milk mixture over each cupcake. Let soak for 30 minutes.
11 - Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
12 - Pipe or spread whipped cream onto each cupcake. Garnish with cinnamon, berries, or lime zest as desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The texture is impossibly moist and custardy inside, nothing like regular cupcakes that dry out by day two.
  • Three kinds of milk create layers of flavor that taste fancy without requiring fancy ingredients or techniques.
  • They're actually easier to make than traditional layer cakes but feel special enough to impress at any celebration.
02 -
  • Poke plenty of holes in the cupcakes—at least 6 to 8 per cupcake—or the milk won't penetrate evenly and some areas will stay dry while others become oversaturated.
  • The cupcakes must be still slightly warm when you add the soak, as warm cake absorbs liquid much more readily than cold cake.
03 -
  • Use an ice cream scoop to divide batter evenly—this ensures all 12 cupcakes bake at the same rate and finish at the same time.
  • Invest in an offset spatula or small icing knife for spreading whipped cream evenly, and chill it for 10 minutes before using for a smoother finish.
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