Tres Leches Cake (Three MIlks Cake)

Tres Leches Cake with Strawberries and Kiwi

My husband's birthday was at the beginning of this week.  I made him a tres leches cake from scratch...  Things always taste better from scratch.  I learned how to make this cake about five years ago, after having tasted one when i lived in Colorado.  Oh my gosh!  I really do think it is my favorite.  This recipe has been adapted from one I found in a Taste of Home recipe book. Here is what you need:

Cake:
*  4 eggs, separated
*  2/3 cup flour
*  2/3 cup sugar, divided
*  1/8 tsp salt
*  3/4 cup evaporated milk
*  3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
*  3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
*  2 tsp vanilla extract
*  1/2 tsp rum extract

Topping:
*  1-1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
*  2 tbsp sugar
*  1 tsp vanilla extract
*  sliced fruit of choice (optional)


Here is what you do:

Tres Leches Cake with Peaches

Tres Leches Cake- Strawberries

Cross Section

That's some good cake!

Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Grease and flour an 8 inch or a 9 inch spring form pan.  Set aside.  In a mixing bowl, beat egg yolks for 2 minutes. Add 1/3 cup sugar; beat for 3 minutes or until mixture is thick and lemon-colored.  Fold in flour, a third at a time.
In another mixing bowl and with clean beaters, beat egg whites and salt on medium speed until soft peaks form. gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form.  Stir a third of the whites into the yolk mixture.  Fold in remaining whites.
Spread batter into prepared pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a bowl, combine the cream, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and extracts. Transfer cake to a serving plate.  Poke holes in top of cake with a skewer. (lots and lots of holes).  Gradually spoon milk mixture over top.   Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
For topping- in a mixing bowl, beat cream and vanilla extract until it begins to thicken.  Add sugar;  beat until stiff peaks form.   Spread over cake.   Garnish with sliced fruits of choice, if desired.