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Dessert • Latin

Spiced Orange Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Let's put a fruity twist on a favorite Latin dessert with this spiced orange tres leches cake! A fluffy sponge cake soaks up a trio of sweetened milks infused with fresh orange zest and warm spices, making each bite of this luscious spiced orange tres leches cake delicate yet full of moisture.

5.0 from 161 votes
60 mins
Total Time
15
servings
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Spiced Orange Tres Leches Cake

How to Make the Best Spiced Orange Tres Leches Cake

This spiced orange tres leches cake brings a vibrant citrus twist to the beloved Latin dessert. The combination of fresh orange zest with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves transforms the classic tres leches into something entirely new and exciting. The spiced milk mixture soaks into every layer of the fluffy sponge cake, creating a dessert that’s both delicate and incredibly moist.

Tres leches cake, which means “three milks” in Spanish, traditionally uses condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream. This version elevates those three milks with aromatic citrus and warm spices that make it perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion. The light, airy cake provides the ideal canvas for the rich, flavorful milk mixture to seep through, ensuring every bite is saturated with the spiced orange flavor.

Top this cake with a cloud of whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon or fresh orange zest, and you’ll have a dessert that tastes like it came straight from a professional bakery. This showstopping cake is sure to impress your guests and leave them asking for the recipe.

Spiced Orange Tres Leches Cake

Spiced Orange Tres Leches Cake

Let's put a fruity twist on a favorite Latin dessert with this spiced orange tres leches cake! A fluffy sponge cake soaks up a trio of sweetened milks infused with fresh orange zest and warm spices, making each bite of this luscious spiced orange tres leches cake delicate yet full of moisture.

5.0 from 161 votes
CourseDessert
CuisineLatin
Keywordorange tres leches cake, tres leches cake, unique tres leches cake
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time40 mins
Total Time60 mins
Servings15 servings
Calories431kcal
AuthorRare Ivy
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Ingredients

Spiced Orange Milk Mixture

Tres Leches Cake

Topping

Instructions

Spiced Orange Milk Mixture

  1. Combine sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream in a bowl.
  2. Stir in orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well combined.
  3. Set aside for flavors to meld.

Tres Leches Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat egg yolks with 3/4 cup of sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Gently fold in the flour mixture until just combined.
  6. In another bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
  7. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar to egg whites, beating until stiff peaks form.
  8. Gently fold egg white mixture into the yolk mixture in two additions.
  9. Pour batter into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
  10. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  11. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
  12. Pierce the warm cake all over with a fork.
  13. Pour the spiced orange milk mixture evenly over the entire cake, allowing it to soak in.
  14. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Topping

  1. In a medium bowl, whip heavy cream with 1 tablespoon sugar until stiff peaks form.
  2. Top chilled cake with whipped cream and additional orange zest or cinnamon if desired.
  3. Serve chilled.

Notes

  • For high-altitude baking, see note on baking powder amount in original recipe.
  • This cake is best served chilled and can be made a day ahead.
  • Freshly grated nutmeg provides the best flavor.
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