Tres Leches is a dessert made with three different milks that make your mouth water, but can you freeze Tres Leches cake? This is a tricky question because it depends on a lot of factors like the ingredients, how it is stored, and for how long.
As we all know, milk is a hard ingredient to preserve! It does not have a long shelf life, especially without refrigeration. Does this also extend to Tres Leches cake?
What Is Tres Leches Cake?
Tres Leches is an authentic Mexican cake eaten during holidays and celebrations among family and friends. It is a cake made with three different types of milk and is delicious! The three milk typically used in recipes include condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk. Unlike other types of cakes, Tres Leches is like a sponge. The cake is airy and soaks the sweet milk mixture.
The History Of Tres Leches Cake
The history of Tres Leches cake is long and rich! Experts and historians often debate where the Tres Leches cake got its first origin. Some people believe it to be Nicaragua. However, there is no way to know. From what we do know, the back of condensed milk cans in Latin America and the Caribbean featured the recipe for years!
Although the cans featured the recipe, the cake did not grow in popularity until the early 20th century. Once it became popular, however, it spread! Mexico, for instance, is not the only Spanish-speaking country to have its own version of a Tres Leches cake. While this is true, the Mexican version of this cake is unique!
The cake first emerged because of the creation of evaporated and condensed milk. During the time of its creation, refrigeration was not popular or widespread. It was hard to preserve milk as it spoils quickly, which is why evaporated and condensed milk were popular choices! It did not take long for people to figure out they could make a cake out of the milk too!
How To Make A Tres Leches Cake
Making a Tres Leches cake is not as difficult as you think it is! The cake only requires a few key ingredients which include three different types of milk. The milks need to be mixed and blended well. Before you can moisten your cake, however, you need to bake a yellow or white sponge cake that is airy and light.
The airiness allows for the cake to absorb the flavors and textures of the milk mixture. You should bake the cake for about 25-45 minutes depending on the type of pan you use. Although the cake and the milk mixture bring a delicious taste to the cake, the best part about a Tres Leches cake is the decorations!
Typically, Tres Leches cakes have a white buttery frosting on top. The frosting is not overly sweet, which compliments the taste of the three milks used in the recipe. What goes on top of the Tres Leches cake is the most exciting part though.
It is not uncommon to see authentic Mexican bakeries use fresh fruit like strawberries, pineapples, and peaches on top of the frosting. However, you can get creative and use candies, different syrups, and sprinkles!
Types Of Tres Leches Cakes
Did you know that there are dozens of different types of Tres Leches cakes? While the original and authentic Mexican version only uses a few key ingredients, you can make your own twist by adding and omitting ingredients. For instance, you can create a cookies and cream Tres Leches cake by adding Oreos and chocolate to the cake mix.
While Oreo and cookies and cream and popular flavors, each country also has their own version. For instance, the Puerto Rican version of a Tres Leches cake has a white thin frosting on top with sprinkles. This cake is eaten and served in panaderias, also known as local bakeries. It is not a special treat and something commonly found on the island.
How Long Does Tres Leches Cake Last?
Usually, Tres Leches cake doesn’t last long since the enticing flavors leave people going for seconds and thirds! However, if you are left with too much Tres Leches cake, you are in luck, there are many ways to preserve it. On average, however, you can preserve this style of cake for 5 days in the fridge and 5 months in the freezer. It varies, however, based on the appliance and type.
Ways To Preserve Tres Leches Cake
Here is the thing about preserving Tres Leches cake, it is hard! Since the cake is mainly made with dairy, if you accidentally leave it out or forget to take it out of the fridge, it can go bad quickly! Usually, you can preserve regular cakes by leaving them outside in a closed container, this is not the case for Tres Leches cakes.
If the cake is already cooked with frosting, it is best to place it in a refrigerator for up to five days. Always trust your judgment though, if the cake does not look good or smells sweet after a few days, toss it!
The way to preserve Tres Leches cake the longest is with a freezer. You may be wondering, can you freeze Tres Leches cake? The answer is; yes! However, there are a few things you need to do before you can freeze it so that it lasts longer. Frosting, for instance, does not defrost properly and loses flavor in the freezer. Only freeze Tres Leches cake if there is no frosting on top.
Conclusion
Tres Leches is a delightful cake that is eaten in Mexico frequently! This dessert is made with three milks and a sponge-like cake that absorbs the milk’s flavors well! The hardest part about this cake is preserving it properly. Thankfully, you can keep it in your fridge and freezer for long-lasting freshness!
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