Warm your heart with Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake

Are you looking for a delicious and unique cake recipe that will impress your guests? Look no further than my Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake. This cake takes classic flavors of American gingerbread and combines it with the rich and creamy sweetness of traditional Latin American Tres Leches Cake, resulting in a truly unforgettable dessert.

The combination of gingerbread and tres leches creates a sponge cake that is moist and flavorful on its own, but reaches even greater heights when soaked in three types of milk: evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream. The lush texture combined with warm gingerbread spices creates a delectable culinary experience that is sure to delight your taste buds.

This is not only a unique recipe to add to your collection, but it’s also incredibly versatile. It’s perfect for holiday parties or as an unexpected twist to traditional desserts. Plus, it’s easy to make and requires minimal ingredients. So why not give this Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake recipe a try? Trust me, your taste buds won’t be disappointed.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake
Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake

Are you a fan of gingerbread cake and tres leches cake? Well, get ready to have your taste buds blown away with the fusion of these two classic desserts – Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake! This recipe is perfect for those who love the rich and decadent flavors of traditional tres leches but want a fun seasonal twist.

The Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake combines the warmth and spiciness of ginger with the moist and creamy texture of tres leches cake. With every bite, you’ll experience a delicious blend of flavors that will have you coming back for more.

Not only is this recipe perfect for the winter months, but it’s also an easy yet impressive dessert to bring to any gathering or event. Imagine being the star baker at your next holiday party, bringing a unique and scrumptious dessert that everyone will be raving about.

Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake is also a great way to switch up your usual baking routine. Why stick to the same old boring desserts when you can try something new and exciting? Plus, this recipe can easily be customized with substitutions and variations to suit your personal taste preferences.

So what are you waiting for? If you’re a fan of gingerbread cake, tres leches cake, or just good desserts in general, then give this recipe a try! You won’t regret it.

Ingredient List

 A heavenly slice of Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake waiting for you
A heavenly slice of Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake waiting for you

When I set out to create this Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake Recipe, I wanted to make sure that it had all the right ingredients for an indulgent, moist and flavorful cake. Here is the complete list of ingredients you will need:

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 box gingerbread mix
  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp of baking soda
  • 1 tsp of baking powder
  • 1 tsp of ground ginger
  • 1 tsp of cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp each of ginger and cloves

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14.5 oz)
  • 3/4 cup of evaporated milk
  • 3/4 cup of heavy cream
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature

For Topping

  • Whipped Cream

Optional Ingredients for Gingerbread Eggnog version:
Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 box gingerbread mix
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar

Wet Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup warm water or ginger beer
  • 3 oz non-alcoholic eggnog or whole milk

For Gingerbread Poke Cake variation:
Dry Ingredients:

  • White Cake Mix
  • Gingerbread cake mix
  • Box white chocolate instant pudding mix

Wet Ingredients:

  • Eggs (6 large)
    -Cooking oil (Vegetable oil or canola oil )
    -water
    -evaporated milk
    -sweetened condensed milk

The ingredients are easy to find in any well-stocked grocery store, so there is no excuse for not trying this recipe. It’s one of my favorites and I hope it will become one of yours too.

The Recipe How-To

 This cake is the perfect combination of spicy gingerbread and creamy tres leches
This cake is the perfect combination of spicy gingerbread and creamy tres leches

Now that we are familiar with the ingredients list and understand why this Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake Recipe is such a masterpiece, let me share with you how to prepare this delightful cake. Be sure to follow the steps closely and enjoy making this marvelous creation.

Preparing the Cake

  1. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a mixing bowl, add in the gingerbread cake mix, flour, cocoa powder, ground ginger, baking soda, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix these dry ingredients together.
  3. In separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until well combined.
  4. Add in the butter and continue whisking until it is fluffy and light.
  5. Slowly pour in the dry ingredients mixture into this egg-sugar mixture, while stirring slowly.
  6. Once everything is mixed completely, transfer it to your greased baking dish and let bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until it passes a toothpick test.

Doubling Down with the Tres Leches

  1. As soon as the cake has cooled enough to touch, poke many holes into it using a fork or thin skewer. Be sure to do them uniformly and throughout the cake.
  2. In another bowl combine – evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, whipping cream and ginger beer. Mix it well.
  3. Now gently pour this mix onto your cake as evenly as possible.
  4. Cover your cake and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.

Time for the Exciting Stuff – Decorating!

  1. Prior to serving, whip up some heavy cream with a pinch of salt until it reaches stiff peaks in texture.
  2. Take out the refrigerated cake and spread a layer of whipped cream gently over the top using an icing spatula.
  3. You could add or sprinkle some gingerbread crumbs or gingerbread, pecans bits, shaved chocolate, etc on top of your whipped cream to make it even more delectable.

That’s it! You have created a delicious Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake that is sure to tantalize everyone’s tastebuds. Enjoy every bite of this dessert sensation,and make your taste buds feel fantastic.

Substitutions and Variations

 Get ready to indulge in this irresistible treat
Get ready to indulge in this irresistible treat

Do you love ginger and want to incorporate more of it into this recipe? You can add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger or even 1/4 cup of ginger beer for a stronger ginger taste. If you want a creamier texture, you can add an extra cup of heavy cream to the milk mixture.

To make an Eggnog Tres Leches Cake, substitute the regular milk in the recipe for eggnog. This will give your cake a delicious twist and perfect for holiday gatherings.

For a peppermint twist, make Peppermint Tres Leches Cake by adding crushed candy canes to the whipped cream topping or mix peppermint extract into the milk mixture before pouring it over the cake.

If you don’t have a box of gingerbread cake mix available, you can easily make your own by mixing flour, cocoa powder, ground ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and cloves. Simply combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder and 1/4 teaspoon cloves in a separate bowl.

You can also experiment with other flavors like White Chocolate Tres Leches Cake or even a Gingerbread Poke Cake made with condensed milk and topped with whipped cream. The possibilities for variations are endless!

Serving and Pairing

 One bite and you'll be transported to a cozy winter wonderland
One bite and you’ll be transported to a cozy winter wonderland

Now that you’ve baked this decadent gingerbread tres leches cake, it’s time to serve and enjoy it! The beauty of this cake is that it’s flavorful and moist enough to stand alone, but it’s also versatile enough to pair with other goodies. Here are some serving and pairing ideas to elevate your dessert game:

Serve a slice of the gingerbread tres leches cake with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. You can even add a piece of crystallized ginger for an extra kick of flavor!

For a festive touch, pair this cake with a warm cup of eggnog or gingerbread coffee. The combination of the spicy cake and creamy beverage is sure to delight your guests!

If you’re feeling adventurous, try making a unique dessert by turning this cake into a poke cake. Simply poke holes in the top of the cooled cake and pour your favorite flavor of Jell-O over the top. The gelatin will seep into the cake, creating a colorful and flavorful treat.

For those who can handle rich sweets, serve this gingerbread tres leches cake alongside other desserts like white chocolate tres leches or condensed milk cake. The various textures and flavors will complement each other perfectly.

No matter how you choose to serve or pair this gingerbread tres leches cake, be sure to savor every bite. You deserve it!

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

 This cake is the perfect dessert to impress your holiday guests
This cake is the perfect dessert to impress your holiday guests

If you’re planning on serving this delicious gingerbread tres leches cake in advance, fear not! It can easily be made ahead of time, as well as stored and reheated to achieve that same fresh-baked taste.

To make this cake ahead of time, simply prepare the cake according to the recipe instructions and let it cool completely. Once it has cooled, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

When it’s time to serve, you have a couple of options. For a chilled dessert, serve the cake cold straight from the refrigerator. If you prefer the cake warmed up, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

If you have any leftovers (which is unlikely!), they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, keep in mind that microwave reheating may result in a soggy texture. Instead, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, cover the cake with aluminum foil and bake for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

The gingerbread tres leches cake is perfect for potlucks and parties because it can be made ahead of time and still taste amazing when served. So go ahead and get that head start on your dessert – you’ll definitely thank yourself later!

Tips for Perfect Results

 Enjoy a slice of happiness with this Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake
Enjoy a slice of happiness with this Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake

Baking can be intimidating, but with a few tips, you can conquer any recipe and achieve perfect results. Here are some tips to ensure that your Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake turns out perfectly:

1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients

Allow eggs, butter, and other dairy ingredients to come to room temperature before baking. When ingredients are at different temperatures, the batter won’t mix properly resulting in uneven texture.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients such as flour, baking powder, and ginger powder. This will ensure that the ingredients are distributed evenly while mixing and prevent clumps.

3. Do Not Overmix The Batter

When mixing the batter together, be gentle and avoid over-mixing as this can cause too much air in the batter which can result in a dry cake.

4. Poke Holes In The Cake

Once the cake is baked, poke holes all over it before adding the milk mixture. This ensures that each bite is full of tres leches goodness instead of just having it go around the edges while leaving the center dry.

5. Let The Cake Rest

After adding the milk mixture, let the cake rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour so that it fully absorbs all the milk liquid and results in a moist and gooey cake.

6. Experiment with Substitutions

If you want to switch things up, try using ginger beer or eggnog instead of milk for a unique flavor twist. You can also use different types of whipped cream or toppings for added variety.

By following these tips, you can confidently bake a delicious Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake that will have everyone asking for seconds!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSaaNzaroGA

Bottom Line

And there you have it, my fellow foodies, a Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake recipe that is sure to impress! Whether you’re making it for a holiday party, family gathering or just because you’re craving something sweet, this cake is the perfect choice. The combination of the warm spices from the gingerbread cake and the creamy goodness from the tres leches make for an irresistible dessert.

Not only is this recipe easy to follow, but it also allows for substitutions and variations to suit your tastes. Try swapping out the ginger powder with pumpkin spice or adding some white chocolate chips for an extra indulgent treat.

The best part? You can make this cake ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. And trust me, it tastes even better after it’s had time to soak up all those yummy milks.

So what are you waiting for? Give this Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake recipe a try and allow your taste buds to be transported on a heavenly journey of flavors. I guarantee that once you taste this cake, it’ll become a holiday staple that your family will look forward to year after year. Enjoy!

Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake

Gingerbread Tres Leches Cake Recipe

I developed this recipe for an open house/Iron Chef competition party. Our secret ingredient was "ginger". This recipe won first place in the desserts and "best in show".
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Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Mexican
Calories 669.4 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 (18 ounce) boxes gingerbread mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups ginger beer
  • 1 tablespoon ginger powder
  • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • whipped cream

Instructions
 

  • Mix gingerbread mix, eggs and ginger beer.
  • Pour in deep 9x13 pan. (Must be a deep pan to hold the milks while soaking.).
  • In separate bowl, combine milks and ginger powder.
  • Bake according to directions on box.
  • When cake is finished baking, poke small holes in cake and slowly pour milk mixture over cake until pan is full. Slightly lift cake in pan to allow milk mixture to soak under the cake.
  • Let cake sit in refrigerator overnight.
  • Top with Cool Whip or fresh whipped cream.

Add Your Own Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 195gCalories: 669.4kcalCarbohydrates: 86.3gProtein: 10.2gFat: 32.4gSaturated Fat: 15.5gCholesterol: 109.1mgSodium: 662.1mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 58.1g
Keyword < 4 Hours, Dessert, Mexican
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Dora

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.