Prepare to embark on a culinary journey with our Strawberry Chamomile Tres Leches Cake recipe. This delightful twist on the classic Latin American dessert combines the richness of three types of milk with the floral essence of chamomile and the sweetness of fresh strawberries. Each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures, guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
But before we dive into the recipe, let’s explore some fascinating tidbits about tres leches cake and the ingredients that make this version so unique.
Tres Leches Cake: A Rich Tradition
Tres leches cake, which translates to “three milks cake,” is a beloved dessert that originated in Latin America. The cake itself is soaked in a mixture of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk, resulting in a moist and decadent texture that’s unlike any other cake. Tres leches cake is typically topped with whipped cream or meringue and served cold, making it the perfect dessert for hot summer days.
Chamomile: A Floral Delight
Chamomile is a delicate flower with a subtle, floral flavor that pairs beautifully with sweet desserts. In this recipe, we infuse the milk mixture with chamomile tea bags, allowing the cake to absorb the fragrant essence of the chamomile as it soaks. The result is a subtle hint of floral flavor that adds an extra dimension to the cake and makes each bite truly special.
Strawberries: Nature’s Sweetest Gems
Fresh strawberries are the star of this dessert, adding a burst of bright flavor and vibrant color to every slice. By pureeing fresh strawberries and incorporating them into the cake batter, we infuse the cake with natural sweetness and a hint of tartness that perfectly complements the richness of the tres leches soak.
Here’s the recipe
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 5 eggs, divided
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- Strawberry puree (1 cup chopped strawberries + 2 tbsp sugar, simmered and crushed)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp kosher salt
For the Milk Mixture:
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/4 cup whole milk
- 3 chamomile tea bags
Instructions:
Make the Milk Mixture:
- In a deep pot, combine the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and chamomile tea bags. Bring to a simmer, then turn off the heat and allow the tea to steep as the mixture cools. Squeeze the tea bags to release all the flavor after it’s cooled.
Prepare the Cake Batter:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9×13-inch cake pan.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the egg yolks, vanilla extract, strawberry puree, and granulated sugar until smooth and doubled in volume.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Fold the egg yolk mixture into the flour until combined.
- In another clean, dry bowl, whisk the egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the cake batter until no streaks remain.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
Soak the Cake:
- Once cooled, use a skewer or fork to poke holes all over the top of the cake. Pour the prepared milk mixture over the cake, one cup at a time, allowing it to soak in between each addition. Refrigerate the cake, covered, for 30 minutes up to overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the cake to fully absorb the milk mixture.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Once the cake has chilled and soaked, spread the meringue topping over the top of the cake. Garnish with fresh strawberries before serving.
Additional Tips:
- If you don’t have chamomile tea bags on hand, you can also use loose chamomile tea leaves or dried chamomile flowers.
- Be sure to refrigerate any leftovers promptly, as tres leches cake is best enjoyed cold.
Strawberry Chamomile Tres Leches Cake is a show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a special milestone or simply indulging your sweet tooth, this cake is sure to impress. With its moist, flavorful cake layers, fragrant chamomile-infused milk soak, and airy meringue topping, it’s a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to treat yourself to a slice of pure indulgence. Your taste buds will thank you!
