Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake
Dive into fall with our pumpkin tres leches cake recipe – a moist, spiced treat perfect for any autumn occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, spices, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add pumpkin puree and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared dish and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the dish for about 10 minutes, then pierce it all over with a fork.
- Prepare the tres leches mixture by combining whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk in a separate bowl. Slowly pour this mixture over the warm cake, ensuring it soaks in evenly.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Pumpkin Puree: Ensure you use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added spices and sweeteners. You can also make your own by roasting and pureeing fresh pumpkin.
- Spice Level: Adjust the spices to your preference. You can increase or decrease the amounts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to suit your taste.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For fluffier cake batter, use room temperature eggs. This allows for better incorporation with the sugar.
- Baking Dish: A 9x9-inch square baking dish is recommended for this recipe. You can also use a similar-sized round dish if preferred.
- Piercing the Cake: When you pierce the cake with a fork after baking, be sure to make enough holes for the tres leches mixture to penetrate evenly.
- Tres Leches Mixture: Allow the cake to cool slightly before pouring the tres leches mixture. This prevents the cake from becoming too soggy.
- Refrigeration Time: While you can enjoy the cake after a few hours of refrigeration, it's even better when left overnight, allowing the flavors to meld and the cake to reach its peak moisture.
- Topping Variations: Get creative with toppings. Besides whipped cream, consider garnishing with chopped nuts, a dusting of cocoa powder, or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce.
- Gluten-Free Option: To make the cake gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Serving: Serve chilled for the best flavor and texture. Refrigerate any leftovers to keep them fresh.