Cinco de Mayo Tres Leches (Printer-friendly)

Moist cupcakes soaked in a sweet blend of three milks, topped with creamy whipped topping and festive accents.

# 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

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Add half the flour mixture to the butter mixture, then the milk, followed by the remaining flour mixture. Mix gently just until combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly among muffin liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full.
07 - Bake for 18 to 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 have cooled but are still slightly warm, poke several holes in each cupcake using a skewer or fork.
10 - Spoon or slowly pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of the milk mixture over each cupcake. Allow to soak for 30 minutes.
11 - Whip heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
12 - Pipe or spread whipped cream onto each cupcake. Garnish with cinnamon, fresh berries, maraschino cherries, or lime zest as desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These cupcakes stay impossibly moist for days, thanks to the milk soak that transforms them into little clouds of sweetness.
  • The prep feels manageable even if you're not a seasoned baker, and the tres leches magic happens almost by accident while you relax.
02 -
  • Don't soak the cupcakes while they're piping hot or the whipped cream will melt—let them cool completely, then add the milk soak, and refrigerate before topping.
  • The magic of tres leches is that you need all three milks; using just one or two won't give you that complex, creamy flavor that makes people ask for the recipe.
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are your secret weapon—they cream together more smoothly and create a better emulsion, which means a more tender crumb.
  • Don't skip the step of poking holes in the cupcakes; it's the difference between a soggy bottom and a properly soaked masterpiece that holds its shape.
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