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Moist Butter Pecan Tres Leches Cake


  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12-16 servings

Description

Indulge in this incredibly moist and flavorful Butter Pecan Tres Leches Cake, featuring a brown butter cake base, a rich three-milk soak, and a fluffy whipped topping with toasted pecans. It’s a dessert that promises pure bliss in every bite.


Ingredients

  • For the Cake:
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups (240g) cake flour, sifted
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
  • 1 cup (100g) pecans, toasted and chopped, divided
  • For the Tres Leches Soak:
  • 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • For the Whipped Topping:
  • 2 cups (480ml) cold heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • 1. Prepare Pecans & Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toast pecans on a baking sheet for 5-7 minutes until fragrant. Let cool, then chop. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  • 2. Brown Butter & Mix Dry: Melt butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat until amber and nutty. Pour into a bowl to cool slightly. In a large bowl, whisk sifted cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • 3. Cream Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, cream cooled brown butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
  • 4. Combine Batter: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry. Mix just until combined. Fold in half of the toasted, chopped pecans.
  • 5. Bake Cake: Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
  • 6. Prepare Tres Leches Soak: Whisk sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and 1/2 cup heavy cream in a pitcher.
  • 7. Soak Cake: Poke holes all over the cooled cake with a fork. Slowly and evenly pour the milk mixture over the cake. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
  • 8. Make Whipped Topping & Assemble: In a cold bowl, beat 2 cups cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spread over the chilled, soaked cake. Garnish with remaining toasted pecans. Slice and serve.
  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins