Easy Strawberry Tres Leches Cake Recipe

This strawberry tres leches cake recipe takes the classic Mexican dessert and adds fresh strawberry flavor that makes it perfect for spring and summer celebrations. Having made countless tres leches cakes over the years and watched oliver's face light up every time I bring one to the table, I've figured out this strawberry version that combines the traditional milk-soaked sponge with bright strawberry flavors. What started as me trying to use up a bunch of strawberries from the farmer's market became our family's most requested birthday cake.

Homemade strawberry tres leches cake slice on a white plate, featuring fluffy whipped cream, juicy fresh strawberry topping, and moist sponge cake with a rustic, homemade look.

Why You'll Love This Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Making strawberry tres leches cake feels like discovering a secret that bakeries have been keeping from you. The combination of that milk-soaked sponge with fresh strawberry flavors creates something that's both comforting and refreshing at the same time. Unlike regular cake that can feel heavy after a big meal, this one somehow manages to be rich and light at the same time. oliver always asks for seconds, which never happens with regular birthday cake because he usually gets too full after one piece.

The make-ahead aspect is a huge win for anyone who's ever stressed about dessert timing. You literally have to make this the day before you want to serve it, which means you can cross dessert off your party prep list early and focus on everything else. The strawberries get better as they sit in the cake too - they release their juices and create these little pockets of fruit flavor that make every bite different. I've served this at dinner parties where people asked if I bought it from some fancy bakery, and they couldn't believe it came from my regular kitchen using ingredients I picked up at the grocery store.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Strawberry Tres Leches Cake
Ingredients For Strawberry Tres Leches Cake
How To Make Strawberry Tres Leches Cake
Storing Your Strawberry Tres Leches Cake
Variations
Equipment For Strawberry Tres Leches Cake
Substitutions
Top Tip
What to Serve With Strawberry Tres Leches Cake
FAQ
Ready to Make Some Strawberry Magic!
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Pairing
Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Ingredients For Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

For the Sponge Cake:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Large eggs
Granulated sugar
Whole milk
Vanilla extract
Salt

The Three Milk Mixture:

Sweetened condensed milk
Evaporated milk
Heavy cream
Vanilla extract

Overhead photo of strawberry tres leches sponge cake ingredients on a rustic wooden table, including bowls of flour, whole eggs, small bowls of salt and sugar, and glass pitchers of milk.

Strawberry Components:

Fresh strawberries
Granulated sugar for macerating
Strawberry jam or preserves
Fresh lemon juice

Whipped Topping:

Heavy whipping cream
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract

See recipe card for quantities.

Overhead photo of strawberry tres leches cake ingredients: fresh strawberries, sugar, powdered sugar, jam, lemon juice, whipped cream, and vanilla on a rustic wooden table.

How To Make Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Having perfected this technique through lots of practice and a few disasters, here's the method that works every time:

Prepare the Strawberries First:

Hull and slice fresh strawberries into thick pieces
Toss with sugar and let sit for 30 minutes to macerate
They'll release their juices and get sweeter
Reserve some whole berries for decorating the top

Bowl of fresh chopped strawberries sprinkled with sugar on a wooden table with a cutting board and whole strawberries nearby.

Make the Sponge Cake:

Separate eggs and beat whites until stiff peaks form
In another bowl, beat yolks with sugar until pale and thick
Fold in flour mixture alternating with milk
Gently fold in the beaten egg whites without deflating them
Bake in a greased 9x13 pan until golden and springs back

Golden homemade sponge cake for strawberry tres leches in a glass baking dish on a cooling rack, with a cracked top showing its fluffy texture.

Create the Three Milk Mixture:

Whisk together condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream
Add vanilla and a splash of the strawberry macerating liquid
Mix until smooth and well combined
This is what makes the cake incredibly moist

Assembly Time:

Poke holes all over the warm cake with a fork
Pour the milk mixture slowly over the cake
Let it soak in completely before adding more
Cover and refrigerate overnight - this step is crucial

Finish with Strawberries and Cream:

Whip cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form
Spread over the chilled, milk-soaked cake
Top with macerated strawberries and their juices
Garnish with reserved whole berries

Slice of homemade strawberry tres leches cake topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries on a white plate.

Storing Your Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Refrigerator Storage (3-4 days):

Keep covered tightly with plastic wrap or foil
Store in the fridge at all times - this isn't a counter cake
The milk mixture needs to stay cold or it can spoil
Cut portions as needed instead of slicing the whole thing

Make-Ahead Timeline:

Bake cake up to 2 days ahead and wrap well
Add milk mixture and refrigerate overnight (minimum 4 hours)
Top with whipped cream and strawberries day of serving
The strawberries get soggy if you add them too early

What Doesn't Work:

Freezing (the texture gets weird and watery)
Leaving at room temperature for more than 2 hours
Adding all toppings days ahead (whipped cream deflates, strawberries get mushy)
Storing uncovered (it picks up fridge flavors)

Serving Tips:

Take out of fridge 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off
Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts
Serve on chilled plates if you want to be fancy
Leftover pieces actually taste better the next day

Variations

From experimenting with different flavors over the years, here are the variations that have become family favorites:

Strawberry Shortcake Style:

Add crushed vanilla wafers or graham crackers between layers
Mix some of the crumbs into the whipped cream topping
Gives it that classic shortcake crunch that oliver loves
Reminds people of summer picnics

Chocolate Strawberry Version:

Add cocoa powder to the cake batter for chocolate sponge
Use chocolate syrup in the milk mixture
Top with chocolate shavings along with the strawberries
Tastes like chocolate-covered strawberries in cake form

Strawberry Lemon Twist:

Add lemon zest to the cake batter
Use lemon juice instead of some of the vanilla in the milk mixture
The citrus brightens up all those rich milk flavors
Perfect for spring gatherings

Boozy Adult Version:

Add a splash of rum or strawberry liqueur to the milk mixture
Soak the strawberries in a little alcohol before macerating
Obviously not for kids, but adults love it at dinner parties
The alcohol actually helps preserve the strawberries

Mini Individual Portions:

Bake the cake in muffin tins instead of one big pan
Soak each little cake individually
Top with whipped cream and a single strawberry
Great for parties where people want smaller portions

Equipment For Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

9x13 inch baking pan
Electric mixer
Large mixing bowls
Wire cooling rack
Fork for poking holes
Measuring cups and spoons

Substitutions

Strawberry Alternatives:

Fresh strawberries → Frozen strawberries (thaw and drain really well)
Ripe strawberries → Slightly underripe ones (add extra sugar when macerating)
Strawberry jam → Strawberry preserves or even raspberry jam
Fresh berries → Mixed berries like raspberries and strawberries

Milk Mixture Swaps:

Heavy cream → Half-and-half (slightly less rich but still good)
Evaporated milk → More heavy cream if that's all you have
Sweetened condensed milk → You can't really substitute this one effectively
Whole milk in cake → 2% milk or even buttermilk

Cake Adjustments:

All-purpose flour → Cake flour (use slightly less, makes it more tender)
Regular sugar → Superfine sugar (dissolves better in the batter)
Vanilla extract → Almond extract (use half the amount)
Room temperature eggs → Cold eggs (just takes longer to whip)

Dairy-Free Options:

Heavy cream → Coconut cream (the thick part from a chilled can)
Milk → Plant-based milk like oat or almond
Note: There's no good dairy-free substitute for condensed milk that works the same way

Homemade slice of strawberry tres leches cake on a white plate, with fluffy whipped cream and juicy fresh strawberry slices layered on top of moist sponge cake.

Top Tip

This strawberry tres leches cake is one of those desserts that's meant to be made ahead - trying to rush the process never works out well. Plan to make it the day before you need it, and add the final toppings right before serving. The biggest mistake people make is thinking they can serve this right after adding the milk mixture, but it needs that overnight soak to become the creamy texture that makes tres leches special instead of just soggy cake.

The timing thing is huge with this recipe because each step needs its own time to work properly. The strawberries need time to macerate and release their juices, the cake needs time to absorb all that milk without falling apart, and the whipped cream needs to be fresh. I learned this the hard way when I tried to make the whole thing in one day for a birthday party and ended up with what basically looked like strawberry soup with cake chunks floating in it.

The storage part is pretty straightforward once you understand that this is basically a milk-based dessert that happens to have cake in it. Treat it like you would any other dairy product and keep it cold. The only tricky part is knowing when to add the final toppings - too early and they get soggy, too late and you're scrambling to finish while guests are waiting.

What to Serve With Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Having served this Strawberry Tres Leches Cake at countless gatherings, the key is pairing it with things that go well with rather than fight against all that creamy richness. Light, crisp accompaniments work best since the cake is already pretty rich. Strong coffee or espresso cuts through the sweetness perfectly - oliver always asks for a glass of milk, but adults usually prefer something with more bite. Fresh fruit like sliced mangoes or kiwi adds a nice contrast, and the acidity helps balance all those milk flavors.

For drinks, iced coffee, sparkling water with lime, or even a light white wine work well if you're serving this at an adult gathering. The carbonation in sparkling drinks helps clean the palate between bites. I've also served this with simple vanilla ice cream on the side, though that might be too much for some people. The Mexican tradition is to serve it with café de olla (cinnamon coffee) or horchata, both of which go well with the milk flavors without taking over. Keep sides simple - this Strawberry Tres Leches Cake is meant to be the star of the show.

FAQ

What is a strawberry tres leches cake?

Strawberry tres leches cake is a variation of the traditional Mexican dessert that combines sponge cake soaked in three milks (condensed, evaporated, and heavy cream) with fresh strawberries. The strawberries are usually macerated and mixed into the milk mixture or layered on top for extra flavor and color.

Can I make strawberry tres leches cake ahead of time?

Yes, you actually have to make it ahead of time. The cake needs at least 4 hours but preferably overnight for the milk mixture to soak in properly. You can bake the Strawberry Tres Leches Cake up to 2 days ahead, but add the whipped cream and fresh strawberry toppings on the day you plan to serve it.

How do I prevent strawberry tres leches cake from getting soggy?

Don't add fresh strawberries until right before serving, and make sure to drain any extra liquid from macerated strawberries before adding them. The cake should be moist from the milk mixture, not watery from fruit juices. Also, don't skip the overnight refrigeration time - this helps everything set properly.

What toppings go well with strawberry tres leches cake?

Besides the classic whipped cream and fresh strawberries, you can add sliced almonds, a drizzle of strawberry syrup, mint leaves for color, or even a light dusting of cinnamon. Some people like to add crushed cookies or graham crackers for extra texture, but keep it simple so the strawberry and milk flavors can shine.

Ready to Make Some Strawberry Magic!

Now you have all the secrets to making strawberry tres leches cake that rivals any Mexican bakery - from the proper milk soaking technique to timing the strawberry additions just right. This dessert proves that some of the best things in life require a little patience, but the results are worth every minute of waiting. oliver still gets excited every time I make this because he knows it means we're celebrating something special, and honestly, I get just as excited because I know how good it's going to taste.

Want more treats that taste way better homemade? Try our Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Bites Recipe that gives you all the flavors of cheesecake in bite-sized portions perfect for parties. Craving something savory and fancy? Our Best Fried Burrata Recipe turns simple cheese into restaurant-quality appetizers that will make your guests think you're some kind of cooking genius. Need the perfect side for any meal? Our Easy Butter Swim Biscuits with just 5 ingredients create fluffy, buttery perfection that disappears faster than you can make them.

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Why You'll Love This Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Ingredients For Strawberry Tres Leches Cake