The traditional version of this cake is soaked in a mixture of 3 milks and topped with whipped cream, so creating a vegan version was quite the project! This vegan tres leches cake ranks as one of the best desserts I’ve ever made! Similar to my vegan tiramisu, it took me quite a while to get it just right and worthy of sharing. Desserts that rely so heavily on dairy products can be hard to replicate. Once you’ve tried a bite you’ll understand it was worth the effort.
What is tres leches?
Tres leches literally translates to “three milks” because a light sponge cake is soaked in a mixture of three dairy milks, usually sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and whole milk or cream. It is a wildly popular Mexican dessert and is topped with whipped cream. This vegan version is far from authentic since I’m not using any dairy or eggs whatsoever. I think you will fall in love with this vegan tres leches cake! It’s perfect for bringing to potlucks or any other celebration. I love that it’s not too sweet and tastes rather light while being a pretty rich cake.
A vegan tres leches cake consists of
A simple vanilla cakeThree milk mixture – Full fat coconut milk from a can, vegan sweetened condensed milk (my recipe or store bought), and oat milk (or your favorite plant milk).Coconut whipped cream – or aquafaba whipped cream or store bought coco whip.Sprinkle of cinnamon + sliced strawberries
How to make vegan tres leches
First, make the easy vanilla cake in a 9×13 inch pan. Poke holes all over the cake. Not just a few holes, but literally all over, and all the way down to the pan! This will help the milk mixture soak all the way through, creating a deliciously moist cake. Mix your three milks together: full fat coconut milk, vegan sweetened condensed milk, and oat milk. Pour over the still warm cake with holes poked all over it. Chill for at least an hour. Top with vegan whipped cream. I used So Delicious Coco Whip which I love. Spread whipped topping evenly over the milk-soaked cake. Sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired and serve with sliced strawberries.
Make ahead option and storing
You can make this cake 1-2 days ahead of time, in fact it gets better with time! Keep covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve. The cake will keep, covered, for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. I would not freeze the cake that is already soaked in milk, but you could freeze the vanilla cake, then thaw and soak in the milk before serving.
What to serve with tres leches cake
Serve with any of the following popular vegan Mexican-inspired recipes:
Jackfruit Tacos with Avocado CreamThe Best Vegan EnchiladasVegan Carne AsadaVegan Fish TacosBest Vegan Queso
Want more crowd pleasing desserts?
Vegan Chocolate Sheet CakeBest Ever Vegan BrowniesVegan Raspberry Bars1 Bowl Vegan Apple CakeVegan Peanut Butter Pie
