The sweet story of tres leches cake

When you crave a dessert, nothing beats a cake to sweeten your day. There are many flavors, chocolate, vanilla, fruit, etc., but one of the favorites among Mexicans is the exquisite three milk cake. The three milk cake is a favorite dessert for many, which is why at kiwilimón we want to tell you all about its history and share some recipes so you can give this delight a special place in your personal recipe book. You can also read: How to prepare your three milk cake like an expertWhat is three milk cake?According to the Larousse Gastronomic Dictionary, three milk cake is a dessert that consists of a sponge cake soaked in a milk sauce. The classic recipe is made with a vanilla-flavored sponge cake that is soaked with a mixture of condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk. For decoration, the cake is topped with meringue, whipped cream, or chocolate, and various fruits are placed on top.Of course, this delicious dessert, which is typically eaten cold and is very sweet, gets its name from the combination of the three types of milk and is commonly consumed at gatherings and parties, although it is also usually found on restaurant and bakery menus. What is the origin of three milk cake?Three milk cake is a very popular dessert in Mexico; however, its origin is not entirely clear, as multiple Latin American countries claim it, especially Nicaragua and Mexico. On one hand, there is the story that three milk cake was invented in the 1930s by canned dairy companies that printed the recipe on the labels of cans to boost their sales. It was during this time that Nestlé opened its plant in Mexico, as noted by Medina Baking, and the recipe for three milk cake was distributed through cans of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and cream. Additionally, there are records of three milk cake in similar dessert recipes in Sinaloa and Oaxaca dating back to the 19th century.On the other hand, some claim that three milk cake originated in Nicaragua. In fact, portals like Taste Atlas classify it as a Nicaraguan dessert, although they acknowledge it is popular in many Central American countries, as well as in the United States and even Europe. According to an article published by Food52, the rise in sales of canned dairy products in Nicaragua during the 1930s, along with the fact that this Latin American country is a major dairy producer, combined with inspiration from other Nicaraguan desserts, led to the invention of three milk cake.To make matters more interesting, there are those who argue, from both the Mexican and Nicaraguan perspective, that three milk cake actually has its roots in various European desserts that also consist of sponge cakes soaked in some kind of mixture, like English trifle, and consider that the famous Latin American cake we know today is the result of colonization processes and commercial exchange.If anything is clear in this debate, it is that the origin of three milk cake is uncertain, but what cannot be denied is its popularity in many countries. For example, in the United States, three milk cake is very famous in places like Miami and other areas with a large population of Latin American immigrants or Latinos who have inherited the culinary traditions of their families' countries of origin. In recent years, trilece, a version of three milk cake, has gained popularity in Turkey. There is no doubt that gastronomy knows no borders. You can also read: Tips for making the best rice puddingThree milk cake recipesNo matter where it comes from, three milk cake is a dessert whose irresistible texture and exquisite flavor make it unique. That's why it's no surprise that it is one of the cakes preferred for celebrations, gatherings, or to close a special meal with a flourish. Making a three milk cake is very simple and will make you shine on those special occasions when you want to treat your loved ones to a delicious dessert. If you want to learn how to make three milk cake, you can try one of our exquisite recipes, which we are sure you will love.Three milk cakeThree milk cake with coffee liqueurThree milk cake with cajetaThree milk chocolate cake in a baking dishThree milk cake with rompopeAt kiwilimón you can find more recipes for three milk cake and other delicious desserts with which you can treat your family and friends while learning more about gastronomy. You can't miss them!