Mouth-Watering Banana Tres Leches Cake Recipe
Welcome to my kitchen! Today, I’m excited to share with you my recipe for Banana Tres Leches Cake. If you’re a fan of moist cakes with delicious flavors, then this one is for you.
As a chef specializing in Brazilian and American cuisine, I’ve come to appreciate the fusion of flavors that bring out the best in both worlds. And what could be more fitting than an all-time favorite dessert, Tres Leches Cake, infused with the tropical goodness of bananas and coconut?
This Banana Tres Leches Cake is an easy-to-make dessert that promises to wow your taste buds. It’s perfect for those who love the creamy texture of Tres Leches cake and want to add an extra element of flavor to their baking game.
Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe is straightforward and easy to follow. With just a few ingredients from your pantry and some sliced bananas on top, you can achieve a heavenly dessert that will impress your guests or just satisfy your sweet tooth.
So without further ado, let’s get started with this delectable Banana Tres Leches Cake recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you a fan of bananas? How about cakes? If the answer to both of those is yes, then trust me, you are going to absolutely love this Banana Tres Leches Cake recipe!
What makes this cake so special, you might ask? Well, for starters, it’s a delicious and unique twist on the classic tres leches dessert. Instead of just three types of milk (hence the name “tres leches”), we’ve added in mashed bananas and reduced-fat unsweetened coconut milk to take this cake to a whole other level of decadence. It’s soft, moist, and perfectly sweet – everything you could want in a cake!
Not only is this Banana Tres Leches Cake recipe incredibly delicious, but it’s also easy to make. By using Betty Crocker supermoist white cake mix as your base, all you need to do is add a few additional ingredients like mashed bananas, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy whipping cream. Mix it all together and you’re well on your way to kitchen greatness.
But don’t let the ease of this recipe fool you – it still makes for an impressive dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it up at a dinner party or bringing it to a potluck with friends, everyone is sure to be wowed by its unique taste and presentation.
So what are you waiting for? Give this Banana Tres Leches Cake recipe a try today and join the countless others who have fallen in love with its deliciousness!
Ingredient List
Here’s a list of ingredients you will need to make this delicious Banana Tres Leches Cake recipe:
For the Cake:
- 1 box Betty Crocker Supermoist White Cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 medium bananas)
- 1/4 cup reduced-fat unsweetened coconut milk
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Tres Leches Mixture:
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup reduced-fat unsweetened coconut milk
For the Whipped Cream Topping:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Optional:
– Sliced bananas, toasted coconut flakes, or whipped cream for garnish
You may substitute some ingredients or add variation to the recipe based on your preference.
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have all our ingredients ready, it’s time to start baking our Banana Tres Leches Cake. This recipe is a delightful combination of fluffy white cake infused with 3 different kinds of milk along with mashed bananas and coconut flakes. Let’s dive right in!
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Before we get started with our cake batter, we first need to preheat our oven to 350°F. This helps ensure that our cake bakes evenly.
Step 2: Mix Together the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, 1/2 cup mashed banana, 3 eggs, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, and 3/4 cup water. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat them until thoroughly combined.
Step 3: Pour and Bake the Cake
Grease a 9-inch x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter. Pour in the cake batter and spread it out evenly across the pan. Place the pan in the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Step 4: Poke Holes and Add Milk Mixture
After removing your cake from the oven, let it cool for about 15-20 minutes. Then using a fork, poke holes all over the top of your cake. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 can evaporated milk, and 1 cup reduced-fat unsweetened coconut milk until thoroughly mixed.
Slowly pour this milk mixture over your cake, making sure to get it into all those little holes you poked. Once you’ve poured in all the milk mixture, cover your pan with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Step 5: Decorate and Serve
After your cake has chilled enough, it’s ready to serve! Decorate the cake with banana slices and whipped cream, or anything you think would suit best. This super-moist Banana Tres Leches Cake is perfect with a hot cup of tea served in a ceramic mug or glass of cold milk. Enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
As a Chef, I love to experiment with different ingredients to create unique flavors for my dishes. For this Banana Tres Leches Cake recipe, there are several substitutions and variations that you can try to tailor it to your taste preferences.
First, let’s talk about the cake mix. While we used Betty Crocker Super Moist White Cake Mix for this recipe, you can use any brand of white cake mix that you prefer. You can even make your own white cake from scratch by combining flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk and vanilla extract.
For the tres leches mixture, we used a combination of sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream and reduced-fat unsweetened coconut milk. However, you could experiment with different types of milks such as regular or skimmed milk or even almond or soy milk. You could also try adding different flavorings such as cinnamon or nutmeg to the milk mixture to give it an added kick.
Another way to add flavor to this Banana Tres Leches Cake is by adding additional toppings. You could top it with fresh banana slices or whipped cream for a classic twist on this delicious dessert. You could also try incorporating toasted coconut flakes or chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for an added crunch.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try experimenting with a different type of fruit other than bananas. Strawberry or mango would be excellent substitutes in this cake recipe and would give it an entirely new twist.
In conclusion, this Banana Tres Leches Cake recipe is incredibly versatile and can be tailored to your liking through various substitutions and variations. Don’t be afraid to get creative and add your personal touch to make it uniquely yours!
Serving and Pairing
Now that you’ve baked your delicious banana tres leches cake, it’s time to think about how to serve and pair it.
One of the great things about this cake is its versatility. You could serve it as a dessert after dinner or as an indulgent breakfast treat. It’s rich and decadent, but the fruity banana flavor keeps it from being too heavy.
If you’re serving this cake for dessert, I’d suggest pairing it with a light and refreshing drink, like a glass of iced tea or lemonade. You could even try making a coconut milkshake to complement the cake’s coconut flavor.
Another option is to cut the cake into small squares and offer them as part of a dessert buffet alongside other sweet treats like fruit tarts and chocolate mousse. This is perfect for large family gatherings or parties.
For breakfast or brunch, serve slices of the banana tres leches cake alongside freshly brewed coffee or tea. You could even toast leftover slices and top them with butter or cream cheese for a unique twist on banana bread.
As an added bonus, banana tres leches cake can be garnished with whipped cream or sliced bananas for extra flavor and presentation appeal.
However you choose to serve it, make sure you eat every last crumb! This cake is just too good to resist.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
This Banana Tres Leches Cake is a perfect dessert to make ahead of time for a stress-free party preparation. You can bake, cool and refrigerate the cake up to 24 hours in advance, allowing the flavors to meld and the cake to absorb all of the moisture from the milk mixture. This also makes it a great dessert for entertaining as you can focus on other aspects of your meal without worrying about timing your dessert.
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. However, keep in mind that as time passes, the cake will absorb more of the liquid and become even more moist.
When reheating, place the cake slices on a baking sheet and warm them up in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes. Be careful not to overheat it as it may dry out the cake.
Another great idea is to transform any leftover cake into an indulgent breakfast treat. Simply cut a slice, toast it lightly, top it with fresh banana slices and whipped cream, then add some maple syrup to make it extra delicious.
Overall, this tasty cake is incredibly versatile and adaptable, making it perfect for any occasion, whether you’re looking for an easy make-ahead dessert or trying to use up leftover bananas. Be sure to try out this delicious recipe for a scrumptious treat that is sure to please everyone!
Tips for Perfect Results
Do you want to make sure that your banana tres leches cake comes out perfectly every time? Here are some tips that will help you achieve just that.
1. Use ripe bananas
Make sure to use overripe bananas that have brown spots on the skin. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cake will be.
2. Don’t overmix the batter
Mix all of your ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough and dense cake.
3. Use room temperature ingredients
Take all of your ingredients out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before you start baking. Room-temperature ingredients blend together more easily, and this helps create a less dense and more tender crumb.
4. Sift the flour
This step might seem fussy, but it’s worth it! Sifting flour removes lumps and aerates it, making for a smoother batter and fluffier cake.
5. Add the milk slowly
When pouring the tres leches (milk) mixture onto your cake, do it slowly so that it has time to soak in gradually. This allows for maximum absorption and flavor.
6. Chill the cake overnight
This isn’t totally necessary, but allowing your cake to chill in the refrigerator overnight will give it more time to absorb the liquid, making for a more moist and flavorful dessert.
By following these tips, your banana tres leches cake will be perfect every time!
FAQ
As with any recipe, there may be some questions or concerns that come up while trying out this banana tres leches cake. Here are some frequently asked questions, along with their corresponding answers, to help ensure that you achieve the best possible results with this delicious dessert.
Why is my tres leches cake not soaking?
To ensure that your tres leches cake absorbs the milk mixture properly, it’s important to avoid overmixing the batter. Overmixing can cause the cake to become heavy and dense, which prevents it from absorbing the milk. If you find that your cake is not absorbing after several hours, try poking it all over with a skewer to create channels for the liquid to seep in.
How do you keep tres leches from getting soggy?
When making our tres leches cake, we take extra care to ensure that the cake maintains its structure and texture without being overly saturated with the creamy mixture. By slightly reducing the amount of the three milks used, we are able to achieve the perfect balance of moisture and flavor, without any risk of the cake becoming soggy or deflated.
What can I use instead of condensed milk in tres leches cake?
Looking for a sweet and creamy alternative to sweetened condensed milk? Simply mix some heavy cream with sugar! For every 1 cup of heavy cream, add ¼ cup of sugar to get yourself a rich, dense, and sweet mixture that can be used in equal portions as a substitute for sweetened condensed milk in any recipe.
What is 3 vs 4 leches?
When it comes to delectable desserts, tres leches cake undoubtedly takes the cake. But what if I told you that there’s an even better alternative out there? Say hello to the irresistible cuatro leches cake. The addition of caramel or dulce de leche as the fourth ingredient takes this dessert to a whole new level of sweetness and indulgence.
What is tres leches frosting made of?
The cake is soaked in a combination of three milk varieties – evaporated milk, heavy whipping cream, and sweetened condensed milk.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this banana tres leches cake recipe is nothing short of amazing. It is the perfect combination of moist cake and creamy milk that will make your taste buds sing with joy. This recipe is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients, making it simple to whip up whenever you crave something sweet and satisfying.
With its rich coconut flavor, banana goodness, and fluffy texture, this dessert is sure to be a hit with friends and family. So why not try this fabulous creation for your next get-together or just a special treat for yourself! Once you take a bite of this delicious treat, you’ll be hooked forever!
Follow the recipe’s instructions, tips, and recommendations, and feel free to add your own personal touches to customize it to your liking. Don’t be afraid to experiment with substitutions and variations either! This banana tres leches cake recipe is highly adaptable, so you can easily create your own masterpiece.
I hope that this recipe article has inspired you to try something new in the kitchen. Remember that cooking isn’t just about following instructions but also enjoying the process and having fun along the way. Share your creations with me on Facebook or in the comments below. Happy baking!
Banana Tres Leches Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (10 ounce) box French vanilla cake mix (BETTY CROCKER ONLY!)
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup mashed banana (ripe)
Tres leches
- 5 ounces reduced-fat unsweetened coconut milk
- 3/4 cup French vanilla flavored coffee creamer (liquid version)
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/8 cup sugar
Topping
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4-1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Garnishes
- banana
- toasted coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Grease and flour a non stick 9x13-inch pan.
- Combine cake mix, eggs, water, oil, and bananas in a large mixing bowl.
- With an electric mixer, mix until ingredients are well combined.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until light golden brown.
- Sit aside for 1 hour to cool.
- With an electric mixer, mix all the milks and sugar until well combined.
- Using a fork or straw, make holes all over the cake, the more holes the better the leches (milks) will absorb.
- Pour 1/2 of the milk over the entire cake slowly. Wait about 10 minutes and pour the rest of the cake.
- Place in the refrigerator.
- Meanwhile mix the heavy whipping cream, sugar and vanilla in a bowl until it thickens.
- Then layer it on top of the cake.
- Place cake back into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving. Overnight is best!
- Enjoy!
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Dora
Dora is a chef well-versed in Brazilian and American cuisine. After a hard day's work in the kitchen of her restaurant, she finds the time to jot down recipes for her food blog. Her recipes are sure to delight foodies everywhere, as she strives to make each one unique and enjoyable to read.