Cinco de Mayo Tres Leches (Printable)

Moist cupcakes infused with a blend of three milks and whipped cream topping for a festive flair.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Cupcakes

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ For the Tres Leches Soak

09 - 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
10 - 1/2 cup evaporated milk
11 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ For the Whipped Cream Topping

12 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
13 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Optional Garnish

15 - Ground cinnamon
16 - Fresh berries or maraschino cherries
17 - Lime zest

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Add half the flour mixture to the egg mixture, then add milk, followed by the remaining flour mixture. Mix gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
06 - Divide batter evenly among muffin liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full.
07 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
08 - While cupcakes cool, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk in a small bowl.
09 - Once cupcakes are cool but still slightly warm, poke several holes in each with a skewer or fork.
10 - Spoon or slowly pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of the milk mixture over each cupcake. Allow to soak for 30 minutes.
11 - Whip cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
12 - Pipe or spread whipped cream onto each cupcake. Garnish with ground cinnamon, fresh berries, or lime zest as desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The milk soak transforms ordinary cake into something luxuriously moist that stays tender for days.
  • Making this in cupcake format means everyone gets their own perfectly portioned celebration without wrestling with cake slices.
  • You can prep these ahead and refrigerate, which is honestly a lifesaver when guests are coming.
02 -
  • Poking holes while the cupcakes are still warm makes a difference—the warmth helps the milk absorb more completely and evenly throughout.
  • Do not skip cooling the cupcakes on a wire rack or you'll trap steam and end up with a dense bottom layer that never quite recovers its texture.
03 -
  • Use a piping bag fitted with a large round tip for the whipped cream—it makes each cupcake look intentional and beautiful without requiring any special skill.
  • The secret to keeping cupcakes moist for days is storing them in an airtight container in the coldest part of your refrigerator, but serving them at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
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