Reinventing a Classic: Marbled Tres Leches Cake

Tres Leches is a classic. But a classic from where, you may ask?

Ask an Argentinean: From Argentina, of course. Ask a Cuban: Sin duda from Cuba. Ask an Ecuadorian: Claro que from Ecuador. A Venezuelan? Por supuesto que es de Venezuela. Ask a Mexican…Of course, sin duda, claro que por supuesto que es Mexicano. No doubt, it is Mexican. ¡Si señor!

You can go on and on…

It would seem that each and every single Latin American country claims the Tres Leches Cake as its very own. Not only does everyone absolutely love it, it is also a dessert that is deeply ingrained in that nation’s gastronomy and culture.

From here or from there, it is that much adored.

No matter where you are in Latin America, or which country you or your family came from, the traditional way to make a Tres Leches Cake is to make a sturdy sponge cake and then completely bathe it in a tres leches sauce. The three milks in the sauce are the fresh tasting regular milk, the lightly savory evaporated milk and the charmingly sweet sweetened condensed milk.

As the decades have gone by, many other variations have appeared in attempts to dress up and reinvent this classic. With cajeta or dulce de leche, different kinds of nuts, coconut, spiked with rum, exotic fruits, coffee… to name some. Indeed, the cake lends itself to be played with: it is basic, it is easy, and it can be easily transformed.

At home, we absolutely adore chocolate. And, since my boys have a hard time making up their minds as to when to make the Tres Leches Cake vanilla and when to make it chocolate, one day I decided to go marbled. That was it: we rarely go back.

In my marbled version, the vanilla cake has fudgy chocolate swirls that go wild when soaked in the tres leches sauce. I garnish with copious amounts of grated Mexican chocolate all over the top and a sprinkle of ground canela.

If you want to make it even more decadent, grab some cajeta or dulce de deche and drizzle liberally over the top.

p.s. To boot, the Tres Leches Cake can be made ahead of time, it gets better and better as it soaks and chills bathed in the sauce. It is also perfect to bring along.

marbled tres leches cake

Marbled Tres Leches Cake

Pastel de Tres Leches Marmoleado

Recipe Yield

12 to 15 servings

Cooking time

2 hours 45 minutes

Rate this recipe

3.88 from 8 votes

Ingredients

For the cake:

Unsalted butter to butter the pan
9 large eggs separated, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup hot water
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

For the sauce:

1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For the whipped cream topping:

2 cups heavy cream
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 disk (about 3 ounces) Mexican-style chocolate such as Abuelita grated, for garnish
Cajeta or dulce de leche optional, for garnish

To Prepare

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit with a rack in the middle. Butter a 9x13-inch baking pan and line the bottom with a piece of parchment paper.

To make the cake:

In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until they hold soft peaks, about 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium and slowly add the sugar, beating until the whites hold stiff, shiny peaks. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
Pour the egg yolks into another large bowl and beat with a whisk or fork, until fluffy and pale yellow. Add the vanilla and continue beating until fully incorporated. Gently fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg white mixture with a rubber spatula, taking care not to deflate the whites. Fold in the flour 1/4 cup at a time and mix well. The batter will look a bit streaky.
In a small bowl, combine the hot water with the cocoa powder. Pour half the cake batter into another bowl and fold in the cocoa-water mixture with a rubber spatula until thoroughly mixed.
Spread the vanilla batter in the prepared pan. Pour the chocolate batter on top, in a straight line down the center. With a knife or spoon, make a whirling design from one side of the pan to the other. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until the top of the cake has lightly browned and feels spongy to the touch. Remove from the oven and let cool.
Invert the cake onto a large platter or board and remove the pan and parchment paper. Cover the cake with an upside-down platter large enough to hold the cake and the vanilla sauce and invert again so the cake is right side up. Using a fork, poke holes all over the top of the cake, so it will absorb the sauce.

To make the sauce:

In a large bowl, combine the three milks and vanilla and stir to blend well. Pour about 2/3 of the sauce over the cake. Don’t worry if it looks like there is too much sauce—the cake will absorb it. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Reserve the remaining vanilla sauce.
When you are ready to finish the cake, remove the cake from the refrigerator and spoon the remaining sauce on top of the cake.

To make the whipped cream:

In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cream and the confectioners’ sugar on medium speed until it holds well formed peaks, about 6 minutes. Spread the whipped cream over the top and sides of the cake. Garnish with the grated Mexican-style chocolate.

Comments

98comments inReinventing a Classic: Marbled Tres Leches Cake

Jodi Horyna

Jul 25

This cake is awesome!!!! So easy!! I learned something new…how to use cocoa powder instead of melting chocolate…so much easier!!
Thank you Patti for such great recipes!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Aug 01
  
  Thank YOU Jodi.
  
Mary Cheromiah

Jul 17

Hi Patti, I have so wanted to try and make this cake. On your show today you are making it. I am a Native American from New Mexico, and we have a fiesta in September. I will make this cake

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jul 18
  
  Have a wonderful fiesta, Mary!
  
Sarah Jones

Feb 07

Hi Pati, I love your show! I can’t wait to make this cake, as well as the chipotle chicken pasta casserole from the Season 4 episode 7 where you cooked in the fan’s home. My question is, in the episode, it looks like the slice of cake is served on a plate/bowl that has some type of liquid in it- something thick. Can you tell me what it is? Thank you and keep on making our day and bringing us wonderful meals. It is such a joy to watch you and listen to your friendly voice. Blessings to you.

1. Pati
  
  Feb 07
  
  Oh that is the liquid that the cake is soaked it. Enjoy the cake, Sarah!
  
Linda Masson

Dec 16

I really love your show and have made several recipes successfully. This cake was wonderful, not too sweet and the texture was firm and rose well. For me though, it was wetter than I liked. I would not pour over all of the last 1/3 of the sauce. There was quite a bit of liquid on the bottom of the cake. So yummy!

1. Pati
  
  Dec 17
  
  I’m glad you enjoyed the cake and other recipes, Linda! I like the extra sauce, but you can always adapt it to your tastes 😄
  
Alejandra

Oct 18

Hola Pati!
I watch your show from Canada and I love it . Can you share the recipe for the salad you made with the roasted pepperS and the Chile de tijera dressing ?. I can’t seem to find it . Thanks so much

1. Pati
  
  Oct 19
  
  Thank you for tuning in from Canada, Alejandra! Here’s the recipe: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/grilled-romain-and-red-bell-peppers-with-ancho-chile-vinaigrette-and-cheese/
  
Andrea

Feb 03

Is there supposed to be baking powder in this recipe? The cake is not rising.

1. Pati
  
  Feb 05
  
  There’s no baking powder in the recipe…the cake is a sturdy cake in order to withhold the sauce :)
  
Ray

Oct 23

Did you ever think of doing a traveling show? I like the places u visit in your shows but the segments are short. Yes, I know it’s a cooking show, but just a thought.

1. Pati
  
  Oct 27
  
  I would love to!
  
René

Apr 16

Pati! Haven’t tried a recipe of yours that my family has not loved! Feels like you’re apart of our family! .. made this cake, is it supposed to be only an inch or so thick?

1. Pati
  
  Apr 24
  
  So happy to hear Rene! It is not a very tall cake but an inch sounds a bit short…
  
Griselda

Mar 22

We made this for my son’s birthday. DELISH!! The only thing is that the chocolate part was much denser than the vanilla. I am wondering if that’s normal or something went wrong….

Diane

Dec 20

For the Tres Leche recipe which I am going to try for our traditional Christmas Eve fiesta (sounds so decadent and delicious!), you list the Dulce de Leche as a garnish but then don’t mention when this is applied but rather only the grated chocolate. Do you pour it over the whipped cream topping or individually over the cake slices when served? Thanks!

1. Pati
  
  Dec 21
  
  Either way! Have a fabulous fiesta!
  
Ruth Ann Delladio

Nov 15

Do you have a recipe for Mexican vegetable soup that does not contain corn but does have mushrooms in it? Had some at a local Mexican resturant and loved it but all recipes I have found have corn

1. Pati
  
  Nov 17
  
  I do not have a recipe for that at this time but I will try to post one soon! =)
  
Heidi

Oct 12

I made this cake and it was sooooooo good! I mean, DANGEROUSLY GOOD!!!!!. Probably the best cake I’ve ever had. I was lost in sugary, milky bliss. Thank you for the amazing recipe Patti!

1. Pati
  
  Oct 15
  
  Happy to hear you liked it, Heidi!! Thank you so much for trying it!
  
Sean Saylors

Oct 08

Hi there!!

Thanks for sharing this mouth watering post. I have read your blog and now I am a big fan of your recipes.

Really you are giving the such a nice thoughts about the Mexican food. I am also a very foodie guy and I love to enjoy, taste and get the knowledge about new recipes.

Hope you will be post the new dish with new creative ideas soon.

1. Pati
  
  Oct 15
  
  Hola Sean!! Your comment made me so happy! Thank you so much for reading the blog and for trying my recipes!
  
Mary Kay Meintel

Oct 02

how do I make those wonderful Mexican football looking rolls?

1. Pati
  
  Oct 04
  
  Can you describe a bit further?
  
  1. René
    
    Apr 16
    
    Bollio rolls?
    
Lei

Sep 21

Hola Patti, I have some masa in the freezer and would like to make dumplings. Do you have a recipe that I could have?
Thank you!

Joann Gonzales

Sep 20

HOLA QUERIDA PATI , I LOVE THIS CAKE , BUT CAN I USE THE BOX MARBLE TAKE MIX ?? SORRY BUT ITS THE EZ E WAY FOR ME ?? I LOVE UR COOKING .I’M MEXICAN/AMERICAN MY ROOTS ARE FROM MONTERREY NUEVO LEON ..LOVE UR RECIPE GOD BLESS U AND UR FAMILIAR ,.

1. Pati
  
  Sep 21
  
  Hola Joann, Thank you so much for your kind words! I recommend the recipe for the best result, but you are welcome to give it a try with a mix…
  
Linda

Sep 17

Hi Patti, love your show! Which unsweetened cocoa powder do you recommend for the marbled tres leches cake? So many out there, would like one for a more authentic taste. Also, looking forward to your gordita recipe. Best, linda

1. Pati
  
  Sep 20
  
  Will try to add a Gordita recipe soon, Linda! As far as Cocoa powder, there are so many brands! Look for an unsweetened one. I have tried Droste’s, Hershey’s and they both have worked really well…
  
Doris

Sep 17

Thanks Pati. Can’t wait 🙂

Cecilia W.

Sep 16

Im having trouble making my egg whites merane i dont think i spelled it right. Anyway I leave egg at room temp. I made sure my mixing bowl and beaters are super clean. Give me some help. Also do u have a recipe snack to feed a crowd. Going to a potluck and there will over 50 people. I want to make it Spanish Themed food. Thank-u hope to hear from u soon.

Maria S.

Sep 16

Thanks so much. I appreciate that you offered to recipes. I really enjoy your show. Thank you so much for such a quick response?

Irma Rodriguez

Sep 16

Good morning. I have watched your show on many Sundays at work. You have such a wonderful personality and I enjoy watching the interaction you have with your sons when they help you in the kitchen or when they are enjoying the meals you have prepared.

I would like to speak with you about a business opportunity for a book series. How can I contact you? Can you please let me know. I am in Los Angeles, California. My name is Irma Rodriguez – my email is listed above.

1. Pati
  
  Sep 16
  
  Hola Irma, Thank you so much for your message & for watching my show! You can send more information about the business opportunity to me via email at hola@patismexicantable.com
  
Maria S.

Sep 15

I have heard of Mole, and that recipes are quite varried. I enjoy trying new recipes and wondered if you make this for your family much, and if you have a family friendly recipe you’d recommend?
Maria S.
Kansas City

1. Pati
  
  Sep 16
  
  Hi Maria, I enjoy making this amarillito mole for my family: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2011/06/amarillito_mole_with_chochoyotes_or_masa_dumplings/. It’s not quite as complex as mole poblano, which I also have here: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2010/03/mole_poblano_de_los_angeles/
  
Doris

Sep 15

Hola Pati!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your show! I would love to take one of your cooking classes. I live in the Chicago area, any chance you will in my area doing a show or teaching a class?

Thanks for all the yummy recipes 🙂
Doris

1. Pati
  
  Sep 16
  
  Hola Doris, Thank you so much for watching my show. I’m hoping to have a stop in Chicago on my next book tour…April-May 2016 timeframe. I will post dates on my schedule & events page (http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/schedule-events/) as I have them, so please check back!
  
Michele Shaffer

Sep 14

Hello Pati – ENJOY your show so much !! I have a question about salting pasta water. So many cooks say to always salt the water because it’s the only chance to flavor the pasta. I was wondering what your thoughts are to flavoring the pasta with other spices such as dried oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, etc. I know these spices are more expensive compared to salt, but I enjoy the taste they provide the pasta. Have a wonderful day !!!

1. Pati
  
  Sep 16
  
  Hola Michele, So happy to hear you enjoy my show, thank you for watching! I think just a pinch of salt is all you need for flavoring pasta water, as many of the other flavors, such as oregano, garlic, etc., will come from the sauces or other ingredients tossed with the pasta.
  
Kimberly Dunn

Sep 14

I have enjoyed you and your show and have made many of your recipes for my family and friends. I have searched high and low for orange blossom water but can not find it. Please help me! Can you give me a recipe to make my own? Thank you.

1. Pati
  
  Sep 16
  
  Hola Kimberly, Sorry to hear you are having trouble finding orange blossom water! It can be tricky to locate, but I’ve seen many options for ordering it online. Also, you are welcome to substitute just plain water for any of my recipes.
  
Patricia

Sep 13

I do thanks! I might even make jumbo muffins instead 😀

Lei

Sep 13

Good morning! I found it on your face book page….I just kept scrolling till I found it. But thanks for getting back to me. Oh and I don’t know if its suppose to do this or not but I got over 20 reply’s in my email…mine and a lot of other peoples questions.
I love love love your show!
Lei

Virginia Quintana

Sep 13

Hola Pati, I would love to find a recipe for cooked beef that you can use for burritos, tacos, etc. In restaurants, they cut up the beef in small pieces and just add whatever ingredient to make a delicious burrito. Any tips on the type of meat used and a recipe?

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  So many ways! Here on the site I have al albañil, or you can make it chilorio style, or like a simple carne asada, even enchilada. All I mentioned you can find here, just use the search button…
  
Ed

Sep 12

Got Guava Paste? … google Guava Cheese Flan
the same recipe is on every recipe site in the country. If there are variations, they are mainly in garnishes. Great flan! And if you have one of those BIG round tins of Guava Paste, it’ll make at least 2 Flan.

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Yum
  
Carmen

Sep 12

Rick Bayless has a recipe for dessert tamales made wth Guava Paste and Cream Cheese.

Rosalinda Cullel

Sep 12

Hi I have a question that nobody seems to be able to answer.
A lot of receipts ask for”Heavy cream” I can’t not find it anywhere the only thing that they sell is heavy whipped cream.
Can I use it instead of Heavy Cream.
Thank you so much

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Yes you can! Sometimes it is called heavy cream and sometimes heavy whipping cream.
  
armen

Sep 12

Hi Pati,
I watch your program in Los Angeles PBS and love it. On program #408 was great alos. Need t oknow music names or scores you used in that episode if possible.

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Hi there! You know, we use so many for all of the episodes. The one that stays the same is the theme song called Dame, by a group called Domingo Siete.
  
Patricia

Sep 12

If I halved the recipe what size baking pan should I use?

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Do you have a 4×4?
  
Sueut

Sep 12

Hi Pati,
I tried making the Uchepos from the downloaded recipe from your PBS show. The recipe called for 1/4 cup of corn meal. Is that supposed to be masa harina or regular corn meal? I ended up using an entire pound of Goya corn meal to get a soft batter but it was still very moist. Maybe my corn had a lot of moisture? The recipe looked really good & I would like to try it again with some suggestions. Thanks for your help! Sue

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Hi Sue,
  Yes! Sweet corn can be very juicy. That is why you can add corn meal (not masa harina) to absorb the moisture and thicken it up. You may also use rice flour…
  
Maria

Sep 12

Hola Pati,
I’m going to make your Pozole with pork instead of chicken. How long do I cook
the pork?

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Sounds great! Just cut the pork into serving size pieces like 3 x 3″ and then it will take same time…
  
Richard L. Diaz

Sep 12

I like most seafood sauteed, broiled or baked, depending on selection. YET I see most famous Chefs adding much different tastes to dish. what is your opinion? rovinchef

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  I think you should cook it the way you like it and then try experimenting with new ways and new tastes: so many options!
  
Lei

Sep 12

Good morning Patti!
I was watching your show yesterday and you made carnitas ” with your family’s secret ingredients” not sure if the show was a re-run or new. It had condensed milk and orange in it. Is it possible to get that recipe? I went on your page but could not find it.
Thanks bunches…

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Hi! Surely, just go to the search button, here it is http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2014/01/carnitas/
  
Ramona Grijalva

Sep 12

Hi! I keep looking for your new season to return on PBS and it’s not there yet. Is it on another network now? Where are you? I miss seeing you. I was taping all of your shows. Thanks!

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Thanks Ramona! Have you reached out to your public tv or PBS station? They should let you know! The season is also on Create TV!
  
Becky Rodriguez

Sep 12

Pati, I love your show, your accent, and your recipes. My question has to do with chilaquiles. I live in Texas, south Texas, to be exact, and some people make their chilaquiles so differently from the authentic plate I had in Mexico City during my travels. I remember tasting the corn tortilla bathed perfectly in a red sauce that was actually dry than wet. The cheese had a fresh homemade flavo, and the plate was served with the best refried black beans, scrambled eggs, and sliced avacados. I added the salsa on top, and my mouth exploded with delight!
The recipient I have come across, even tasted lack so much flavor; all you can taste is powdered chili, garlic, tomato sauce and the preservates in the corn tortillas. Could you please give another show on preparing authentic chilaquiles from Mexico? people don’t know what they’re missing! I hope restaurant chefs watch too so they can stop reinventing one of the tastiest “antojitos” of mine. I don’t like “make-believe” or second-rate food. I pride myself in making excellent Mexican dishes like my grandmother used to cook.
Keep up the great work you do! Sincerely, Becky Rodriguez

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Thank you so much Becky. I think this is a great idea and will talk to my Director about including it on the next Season.
  
Carol Moreno

Sep 12

I am looking for an easy recipe for “Chiles Enogada” do you happen to have one?

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Here you go http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2009/09/chiles_en_nogada_at_last/
  
Leonard Lucas

Sep 12

This is about the Spaghetti with guajillo chiles.
I’ve had a problem with the chiles remaining brittle and dry when attempting to saute in oil. Should they be reconstituted in hot water before adding to the noodles?
The recipe does not mention this

Thanks
LL

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Hi! They are really supposed to stay a bit chewy, so you can try cooking them a bit longer, or cut them finer. Also before adding the pasta, you can add some of the pasta water and let it cook with the sauteed chiles for a minute or so, to soften them up more.
  
Rachel Rocha

Sep 12

I loved your show on our public tv, but now you no longer are on there. We you ever go back to PBS or is there another channel I can watch you on in the USA. I currently live in Tennessee.

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Hi! Have you tried reaching out to your public TV or PBS station? Maybe they already aired it, but they can also do a repeat! Show is also on Create TV.
  
Ruth Victoria Gonzalez

Sep 11

Dear Pati, I love your show! I need a recipe for polvorones de canela. I know they are made with lard, rolled in sugar and canela. My madrina Ophelia Martinez made these, she passed away and I don’t have the recipe. Can you help?

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Hi Ruth,
  You can adapt these to any flavor you want! They go by polvorones and in the US go by Mexican Wedding Cookies. http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2010/12/mexican_wedding_cookies/
  Unless you are talking about the flattened Canelitas?
  
Mary Medika

Sep 11

Hi
saw a show where you made cookies and you said they were you son favorite. I would love to have the recipe
thank you

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Here you go!
  https://patyhinich.com/2015/04/nothing-like-homemade-cookies/
  
monica

Sep 11

Hola me encanta su programa me parece que es una excelente
Chef seria posible que hubiera las recetas también en español?

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Hola Monica,
  Voy a tratar de subirlas en español también pronto!
  
Judy

Sep 11

What do I use media cream before I’m living in Rocky point Mexico and so many ingredients I do not know what to do with love cooking and especially enjoy Mexican food thank you Judy

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Oh you can use it for everything! It is great drizzled over tacos, enchiladas, sopes, eggs…
  
Gary

Sep 11

Hi Pati, This year I decided to grow some poblano peppers. I ended up with a good crop, and I was going to dry some for storage but I thought maybe if smoking them would work better. And if so what kind of wood? I am going to make your chili rellenos though!

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  They way I like to store them is already roasted or charred, sweated and peeled. A million ways to use them!
  
velia

Sep 11

Serve slices of it with queso fresco, de Oaxaca, etc., as dessert

jeannine

Sep 11

hola pati!
i love your tv show, and really want to make something from your cookbook, still thinking about that b/c I love mexican and savory but not spicy. can you suggest a recipe? I really admire your passion for mexican history, food, and your adorable kids. best, jeannine (seattle)

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Thanks, Jeannine! Won’t you give Chicken Tinga (you can adjust the chipotle sauce to just a taste) or the Corn Torte a try?
  
caren barnes

Sep 11

Hi, I just bought a rather lage can of guava paste in the Mexican meat market. what do I do with it? Cakes, Pies, cookies I have no idea. I looked all over your site and I didn’t see any recipes. Help.

Billie

Sep 11

Saludos Pati,

Such a fan of your cookbook! Do you have any suggestions for a main dish for a dinner party for 14?? I’ve done carnitas y pork before, but any ideas for something else would be much appreciated.

Muchas gracias.

Karen

Sep 11

Patti,
When will you be publishing your next cookbook. I have made so many of the recipes in your amazing cookbook now and would love to be able to look forward to a new cookbook with even more delicious recipes. Please tell me it will be soon.
Karen Thomason

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  It will be super soon, Karen, thank you! Pre-Order likely to be up in Amazon in October and publication date is April 12, 2016. I am really happy with the way the book turned out! It will be called Mexican Today.
  
Patti

Sep 11

My mama used to make Gorditas when I was growing up in Texas. Do you have a recipe for them?

Gracias.

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Yes, Patti! Will try to add soon!
  
Kathy macomber

Sep 11

You and your family are adorable! I love your show and watch it every Sunday on pbs. Thank you Kathy macomber

1. Pati
  
  Sep 13
  
  Thank you so much, Kathy!

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