Apple Tres Leches Cake Recipe

If you’re on the lookout for a dessert that’s rich, moist, and bursting with cozy autumn flavors, this Apple Tres Leches Cake Recipe is exactly what you need in your life. I absolutely love how the applesauce keeps the cake tender while the trio of milks soaks in, making every bite irresistibly luscious. Trust me, you’ll find that it’s a showstopper for family gatherings or just when you want a little sweet comfort at home.

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are a harmonious blend that provide moisture, flavor, and structure. I always recommend using fresh spices and unsweetened applesauce to keep the balance just right without over-sweetening.

• All-purpose flour: The foundation for a tender yet sturdy cake.
• Baking soda and baking powder: These work together to give just enough rise without being too fluffy.
• Pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon: For that warm, autumnal spiced flavor that plays so well with apple.
• Salt: A pinch to elevate all those sweet flavors.
• Unsweetened applesauce: This keeps the cake moist and adds natural sweetness; don’t skip using the unsweetened version.
• Granulated sugar: To balance the tartness and enhance sweetness.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake soft and tender; I prefer it over butter here for a lighter texture.
• Eggs: For structure and richness; I swear by Pete & Gerry’s Organic Eggs for best flavor.
• Whole milk: Divided—part goes in the batter, and part in the milk soak for ultimate creaminess.
• Vanilla extract: A splash to round out the flavors.
• Sweetened condensed milk: The star of the tres leches soak, adding creamy sweetness.
• Evaporated milk: Adds a rich, mellow texture to the soak without extra sweetness.
• Heavy whipping cream: For the luscious topping you’ll want to spread thick.
• Granulated sugar (for whipping): Just enough to give the cream a subtle sweetness.
• Ground cinnamon (for whipping): A sprinkle in the whipped cream for that extra depth of flavor.

Variations

I love playing around with this Apple Tres Leches Cake Recipe depending on the season or what’s in my pantry. You can easily tweak it to suit your taste or dietary needs without losing that signature moistness and flavor.

• Spiced Up: I’ve added a pinch of ground nutmeg or cloves to the batter for an even more intense warming spice profile, especially around the holidays.
• Gluten-Free Version: I swapped in a gluten-free flour blend once, and while the texture was slightly different, the flavor still wowed everyone.
• Apple Varieties: Using tart apples for homemade applesauce adds a nice tang, but sweet apples work too — just adjust sugar slightly.
• Dairy-Free Tweak: For friends with allergies, I replaced the milk trio with coconut milk varieties and coconut whipped cream—surprisingly delicious and tropical!

How to Make Apple Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat

Start by setting your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13-inch pan with your choice of cooking spray, olive oil, or butter. I usually use olive oil because it adds a subtle richness without the butter smell, but any will do. Having the pan ready ensures a smooth start once your batter is mixed.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. This blends the leaveners and spices evenly throughout the flour, so they distribute nicely when you combine with wet ingredients. I always give this a good stir to avoid pockets of baking soda in the finished cake.

Step 3: Whisk Wet Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and mix the applesauce, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, ¼ cup of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. I like to whisk this part by hand first before adding the flour so the batter feels light and airy, which results in a tender crumb once baked.

Step 4: Combine and Bake

Add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture and whisk just until you don’t see flour anymore—don’t overdo it or you’ll toughen the cake. Pour the batter into your greased pan and slide it into the oven. Bake for 23 to 28 minutes, checking with a toothpick after 23 minutes; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes while you prepare the soak.

Step 5: Make the Tres Leches Soak and Poke Holes

In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining ¼ cup of milk, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk. Using a fork or skewer, poke holes all over the warm cake—this is important! It lets the soak sink deep so every slice is juicy and rich like a dream.

Step 6: Pour and Refrigerate

Slowly drizzle the milk mixture over the cake, making sure it’s soaked evenly on the top and sides. Cover the pan and pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours—this step can’t be rushed. The longer it chills, the more those luscious milk flavors soak into every crumb.

Step 7: Whip the Cream Topping

While the cake chills, whip the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until soft peaks form. I always chill my bowl and beaters first—that little trick helps the cream whip faster and stay fluffy longer. Refrigerate the whipped cream until you’re ready to spread it on.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Spread the cinnamon-spiced whipped cream generously over the cake once it’s fully soaked and chilled. If you want that final elegant touch, dust a little cinnamon on top before serving. You’ll love how the creamy topping contrasts with the moist, spiced apple cake underneath.

How to Serve Apple Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple to let the cake shine. A light dusting of ground cinnamon or a few thin apple slices twisted on top add a lovely, fresh touch. Sometimes I sprinkle toasted pecans for a subtle crunch that pairs beautifully with the creamy whipped topping.

Side Dishes

This cake is rich enough to be a dessert star on its own, but if you’re serving it after dinner, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a small bowl of spiced cider complements it beautifully. I’ve also found fresh fruit salad with citrus notes adds a refreshing balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve individual portions in cute mason jars layered with apples and whipped cream for a rustic-chic vibe. Another fun way I tried was swirling caramel drizzle over the whipped topping—adds a touch of decadence that’s hard to resist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or a lid to keep it moist and refrigerated. It stays delicious for up to 3 days, and honestly, the flavors get even better as it sits. Just remember to keep it chilled until serving.

Freezing

Freezing is a bit tricky because of the milk soak and whipped topping. I’ve frozen just the baked cake layer (without soak or topping) wrapped well, then thawed and soaked it fresh later. This way, you can enjoy it anytime without compromising texture.

Reheating

I recommend serving the cake chilled, but if you want to warm a slice, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave works wonders—just be careful not to melt the whipped cream topping.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend this Apple Tres Leches Cake Recipe enough—it’s one of those desserts that quickly became a beloved tradition in my home. The way the apples and spices meld with that velvety milk soak? Pure magic. So when you’re ready to wow your guests or treat yourself, give this a try. I promise, you’ll be smiling through every melt-in-your-mouth bite.

Print