Oct 16, 2013

Tres Leches Cake to celebrate MED's 2nd b'day :-)


Two years and I’m still here sticking on to a hobby that I just started for fun. It’s been two full years now and my blog is as old as my baby boy and has been a part of my family through thick and thin. I feel so proud today as I write this post for having successfully completed two years into blogging and still continuing. Happy Birthday MED!! 
( Oct 15th was the actual date, but what's in a date or mayb I forgot... oops! :-P)


Last year I was so excited about celebrating the First Anniversary of my blog baby and I made my first ever buttercream decorated CheckerboardCake incorporating the colors of fall and I even shared my story on how this blog was born! 
And since then this baby has grown and grown, from having close to 2,97,000+ total blog visits (as of today), receiving an average of 11,000 page views per month, more than 100 recipes, 900+ followers on my Facebook Page and several Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest followers. The stats may not sound too great when compared with other blogs that achieve more than this within a single year, but for me its precious beyond words. I cherish each and every feedback, comment and suggestion from my readers. My family has supported me and helped me in so many ways to help me continue with my passion on the blog and I enjoy every minute I spend on this virtual space of mine and the friendships I have made through this forum is priceless and I hope it grows and lasts. 

I know I’m not a very regular blogger and there are dry stretches when I hardly blog or update anything here and I've had my share of writers block or blogger's blues as they call it, but the moment I share a new post I have seen how my stats go up and I know there are people waiting for my posts. I love you all for this constant encouragement and I hope to continue it. I know as a person and as a blogger I have definitely grown up a lot and I want to continue to share snippets from my kitchen, home and life to you all. There's still lots to learn, lots to share and lots to improve upon and I want you all to come join me through all this fun and excitement. Your feedback is my fuel and that’s what’s most important to me, so lets continue to keep in touch!


This year also I wanted to plan an elaborate blog anniversary worthy treat, however life got in my way in the form of busy schedules, sick baby, early bed times and more Appu time, so I had to use up a treat from my drafts ;-) I had made this simple Tres Leches cake last week for a casual dinner get-together with some good friends and I thought it was quite elegant in its own way to be a part of my blog’s second anniversary! 

Tres Leches is Spanish for Tres = Three and Leches = Milk, so it’s a three milk cake and its super gooey and yummy with all the goodness of milk in the form of Sweetened Condensed Milk, Heavy Cream and Evaporated Milk. OOH ya!  The cake itself is a fatless sponge cake with lots of air bubbles which helps in soaking up the three milks syrup, which is simply poured on top of the cake and allowed to rest overnight. The final result is a very moist, sweet and not at all soggy cake.


You could just eat this cake as it is without any fancy frosting or anything, but some cool whipped cream and some bites of fruit adds to the elegance of the cake and brightens up the flavors. I used canned peaches (peaches and cream is a match made in heaven you all) and also used some glazed cherries for some color. I had no plans of how to decorate the cake and as I kept swishing the whipped cream up and down the cake, it sort of resembled the shape of a flower and I left it at that…a rustic flower pattern!

The recipe for the Tres Leches cake was taken from the Daring Baker’s challenge which was hosted by Imma of La Galletika and the feedback from the various bakers who used this recipe and baked their tres leches cake's were immense and I did not have to think twice.


Tres leches Cake or Classic Three Milks Cake

You’ll need
For the Vanilla sponge cake
Eggs - 5 large (Yolk and Egg whites separated)
Sugar - ½ cup (120 ml / 4 oz / 125 gm)
Vanilla Extract - 2 tsp (10 ml)
All-Purpose flour (sifted) - 1 cup (240 ml / 5 oz / 140gm)
For Three Milks syrup
Sweetened Condensed Milk - 1 can (14 oz / 400 gm)
Evaporated Milk - 1 can (12 oz / 340 gm)
Heavy cream (about 35% fat) – 1 cup [or 1 cup of half & half / 1 cup milk (240 ml) ]
1 cinnamon stick
Rum or other flavoring (optional) - 2 tsp (10 ml) (I just added vanilla extract)
For Frosting and Filling
Whipping cream or heavy Cream - 2 cups (500 ml)
Confectioners’ Sugar or Powdered Sugar – ¼ cup  
Canned or fresh fruit (to fill and decorate the cake)

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to moderate 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Grease a square 9”x9” (23cmx23 cm) pan or 9”(23 cm) round cake pan.
2.  Separate the egg whites from the yolks. 

3.  Beat the egg whites on medium speed, 3 – 5 minutes. When soft peaks form slowly add the sugar in small batches. Whip until stiff peaks form about 5 minutes and set aside.
4.  In a medium bowl beat egg yolks at medium-high speed for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until the egg yolks become pale colored, creamy and puffy. Stir in vanilla extract.
5.  Pour the egg yolks over the egg whites, gently fold until just combined trying not to lose any volume from the mixture.
6.  Fold in the flour little by little in the form of rain. Mix until just combined (over-beating will result in a denser, flatter cake).
7.  Pour the batter into the prepared 9”x9” (23cmx23 cm) square cake pan or 9” (23 cm) round cake pan.
8.  Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean and allow it to cool to room temperature completely
.
9.  Once cool, split/torte the cake in half, flip the top of the cake and place it on a base. Poke using a fork holes all over the cake to better absorb the three milk soaking liquid. 

Prepare Three milks syrup
1. In a saucepan add the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream and cinnamon stick,
bring to a boil, reduce the heat and continue boiling for 5 minutes. Remove it and let it cool.
2. Once it is cool, add the rum or any other flavoring you are using
3. Gradually brush all the milk soaking liquid into all sides of the cake (including the cut surfaces), slowly until all absorbed. Best to rest the cake in the fridge overnight to complete the soaking process.

Frosting and Filling
1. Whip the cream, when soft peaks form add the sugar little by little, continue whipping until stiff peaks form (about 2 mins).
2. Layer some whipped cream on the bottom layer and cover with canned or fresh fruit and decorate the top layer with whipped cream and the fresh or canned fruit.



My friend's, who have eaten several tres leches cakes from bakeries, found the homemade one really delicious. I felt my sponge was a bit dense (need to improve my sponge cake skills) but it soaked up the three milks very nicely. My lil’Appu happily gobbled up a huge slice both at my friend’s place and also the slices we brought back home for him…yes, just gobbled it up I say! He poses for me while chomping away ;-)


So do try out this awesome treat of a cake, which is so easy to put together and tastes so rich and delicious…and I will keep blogging and hopefully will have several more blog anniversaries to celebrate. Have a fun day ahead you guys…

Thank you Winnie for inspiring me to make this cake :-)

-Manju



28 comments:

  1. congrats manju.. !! you have a beautiful collection of recipes..

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  2. Firstly congrats on ur 2 year anniversary of bloggin.. u r doin a great job... nd im proud to have known a good cook , baker and ablogger...
    Secondly thank u for this awesome cake.. its my fav cake..:-) nd the one u baked was soooo yummy.. next time bake a bigger one :-)

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  3. what a beautiful cake and a lovely way to treat us all :) Happy Blog Birthday and like u said we are all waiting for you to post often

    Hugs

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  4. wow what a beautiful cake that is. the simple icing on top looks so pretty. love it and happy blog anniversary to you.

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  5. That cake is so beautiful!Happy Birthday to MED and COngrats to you !!I have to try this cake but im scared to bake these days my cakes turn out too dense wondering why still wondering...

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  6. Congrats Manju and many more to come..:-) cake looks delicious

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  7. congratulations manju...2 years is quite some time... :) and a lovely way to celebrate the occassion... the cake looks absolutely delish...

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  8. Congrats Manju!!! May there be endless years of blogging. You are an awesome blogger:) I always loved reading ur blog. keep up the good work. The cake looks delicious... "Fresh" is the word that come into my mind first...

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  9. Congrats Manju!!!! May you have endless years of blogging... U are an AWESOME blogger...I love reading ur blog... not just ur recipes but also ur ramblings ;-) Ur cake looks delicious... FRESH is the word that come first in ma mind... Keep up the good work... Best wishes :)

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  10. Congrats on your 2nd blog birthday. The cake looks beautiful and am sure it must have tasted delicious too.

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  11. Yummy.... drooling here seeing that moist delicious goodness!!! Congrats on your blog anniversary dear...wish you many more successful and happy years of blogging... Lil Appu seems to be enjoying the cake :) Very cute!

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  12. Congrats Manju. That is a lovely piece of cake perfect for the day. wishing u many more...

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  13. Congratulations Manju! Lovely cake to celebrate and wish you many more!

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  14. Congrats on the 2nd Anniversary MED and dear Manju !!! Wishing you many more.
    Cake looks absolutely gorgeous and lovely pic of little Appu !!

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  15. Happy Second Blog birthday....!! cake looks yumm as always........love reading your blog.....just a great escape from the everyday routine our lives are......:-)

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  16. Congratulations Manju, and your food creation always makes me hungry and try to create delicious cake.

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  17. Congrats on the second birthday of the blog. Looks amazing. Just loved the way how Appu is enjoying the piece.
    deepa

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  18. Happy bday to ur blog baby...the treat for the occasion looks super..I was lucky to taste this from Nisha...she made it once and bought to our place..See that's why I m telling u move to London ..we will get to eat each others food and can have loads of fun together :)

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  19. Congrats Manju and happy birthday to ur blog baby, cake looks extremely gorgeous and prefect for the celebration.Yea as u said do blog often.

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  20. congratz on accomplishing 2 years of blogging dear :) wonderful tres leches there !!! and very cute lil one enjoying the yummy cake !!

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  21. Congrats Manju.......... happy birthday MED!!!!
    Cake look great and loved how Appu is gobbling !!!! :)

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  22. We'll made! Looks superb! Join me to celebrate 7 years of Annarasa we Festive eats and a giveaway at my blog. Your recipe fits right in. http://www.annarasaessenceoffood.com

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  23. Congrats on the milstone Manju! I concur that the tres leche from Inma was just delicious, here's a toast for more cakes and happy returns for you :-)

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  24. Congratulations on your blog readership and on your blogsoversary! May there be many more! :D

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  25. First of all congrats on the number, that is awesome.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO your adorable little boys, how time flies right?...I am sure you are enjoying every minute.
    Congrats on completing 2 yrs of blog.
    This cake now looks delicious Manju, moist and perfect. Enjoy.

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  26. Congrats Mnaju on the blog Anniversary!!! I thought I already commented on this post, hmmm, not sure how I missed it. The cake looks moist and yummy with whipped frosting, my favorite frosting. Way to go dear!!!

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