How long does tres leches cake last? It is so known as pantries leches. It is a sponge cake or butter cake usually soaked in a mixture of three milk – evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream.
Most recipes don’t include the use of butter, and in such cases, the cake will be very light with air bubbles.
It is a Latin – American dessert found in Mexico most commonly.
The name tres leches come as a result of the fact that the cake is soaked in a mixture of three kinds of milk (evaporated milk, sweetened/condensed milk, and whole milk/heavy cream) after baking.
It is not soggy despite being soaked in milk,
This is because it’s a spongy cake with a light texture that can absorb the milk, and if done right it will not be soggy.
So, how long do tres leches last in the fridge?
Tres leches cake will last for 2 to 3 days in the fridge, before going bad if you store it in the right conditions necessary in the refrigerator.
After 4 days, it will start getting soggy.
Tres leches cake is best enjoyed within the first 48 hours. At this point, all the goodness has seeped in fully.
Tres leches cake should be refrigerated because of the milk present
And the whipped toppings make it vulnerable if exposed to a humid environment.
After baking, poke the cake with a fork and pour the milk over it, spreading evenly.
Then add toppings, and chill in the refrigerator for some hours.
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How Long Does Homemade Tres Leches Cake Last?
Homemade Tres leches cake can last 2 to 4 days if kept refrigerated, only in rare cases will tres leches cake last up to 5 days.
Note that it tastes really good when it’s cold because of the milk and whipped cream.
Also, the milk and whipped cream make it compulsory to keep the cake preserved in the refrigerator,
This is because those ingredients make it vulnerable to bacteria
And spoilage which the refrigerator can protect it against for a few more days.
Store in an airtight container and cover tightly before refrigerating.
It should not be left out for more than 2 to 4 hours because of the diary content.
Keeping it out for too long will expose it to a danger zone, especially at room temperature of 40⁰C and above.
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How Long Does Tres Leches Cake Last After Opening?
Once opened, it should be transferred to an airtight container, sealed tightly, and stored in the refrigerator where it will stay for 5 days at most.
For store-bought tres leches cake it depends on the brand, process of preparation, and use of preservatives.
Costco tres leches use no preservatives and as such, it will last only according to the best-by date.
It is best refrigerated or kept in a cool, dry place of temperature less than 40⁰.
The thing about refrigeration is that it sucks up moisture and leaves the cake dry and shrunken which may seem like it is bad.
As long as it tastes fine, it can still be eaten.
How Long Does Tres Leches Cake Last After Expiration Date?
Commercial tres leches cakes have printed dates on them and each brand varies in its shell life. Some brands last for 3 days after the expiration date, some 1 week after the expiration date, and at most 2 weeks after the expiration date.
This is due to the number of preservatives used.
So long as there are no signs of spoilage that can cause food poisoning, tres leches can be consumed.
The shell life of tres leches cake depends on the ingredients used, method of preparation, and how it is being stored.
All things being equal, the cake will last 4 days without the absorption of milk, in a cool, dry place at room temperature below 40⁰,
It can last 7 days in the refrigerator and 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
But once it is saturated in milk, it will only last 2 to 4 hours at room temperature of 40⁰ and less, 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
It shouldn’t be frozen with milk and toppings.
Can You Freeze Tres Leches Cake?
Yes. You can freeze tres leches cake beautifully. Although, it is recommended that you freeze without the frost (saturated milk) and whipped cream because it will cause the cake to become soggy after thawing.
To freeze tres leches cake, allow it to cool after baking,
Then poke holes onto the cake with the use of a fork, then cover tightly in an airtight container and freeze till whenever you’re ready to use.
How Long Does Tres Leches Cake Last In The Freezer?
Tres leches will last 2 to 3 months in the freezer if stored properly by wrapping them up and putting them inside a freezer bag or airtight container.
Ensure the lid is sealed tightly.
When ready to use, defrost in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature and pour milk over the cake till it seeps in.
Let it sit in the refrigerator overnight for better results, then top with whipped cream and enjoy the goodness.
The freezing cake will make it denser but still taste good and fresh.
Only if it is not done properly will the texture and taste be affected.
So, ensure it first cooled totally,
Then wrap the cake in portions with plastic wrap and place it inside an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
You freeze in portions in case you’re not able to consume a whole cake entirely, refreezing is prohibited.
The freezing cake is a suitable option for long-term storage.
How Long Does Tres Leches Cake Last After Defrosting?
It can stay in the refrigerator defrosting for as long as 2 days but may begin to go stale after then. Immediately after defrosting is done, immerse it in milk and top it with whipped cream, then consume.
Do not refreeze. Small portions will defrost faster than whole portions
And may stay in the refrigerator for only 12 – 16 hours instead of the usual 24 hours or overnight.
Do not bring it out of the freezer straight to room temperature on the counter
This is because the drastic drop in temperature will make it become mushy.
To defrost, simply place it in the fridge overnight or at least for a day to allow it to thaw, then bring to room temperature.
It is recommended that you defrost with the wrappings still on the cake because taking out the wrappings will alter the texture.
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How Long Does Tres Leches Cake Need To Soak?
Tres leches will take at least 1 hour and at most overnight, in the refrigerator for the cake to soak up the milk and all its goodness. The best results are when it is soaked for 6 hours and more.
The longer the cake soaks, the more the milk will absorb well giving off a richer, creamier, and more flavourful cake.
Note that tres leches cake should not be soggy and mushy,
That’s why you have to first poke it with a fork before pouring the milk mixture over it so that the mixture goes down and in.
Another trick is refrigerating the milk and pouring cold milk over a slightly warm cake
This is because the cake sucks up the liquid as it cools.
When it is cooled, refrigerate overnight for a better result.
Store for as long as 4 days in the fridge after which it will begin to appear soggy.
How Long Does Tres Leches Cake Take To Make?
You’ll need about 30 minutes to prepare the ingredients and then the cake will cook/bake for another 30 minutes. You can let the cake rise as it cools off for 1 hour before poking it with a fork.
The ingredients needed are; eggs, flour, sugar, flavor, baking powder, salt,
And the 3 core – evaporated milk, sweetened/condensed milk, and whole milk. Mix all that needs to be mixed rightly, and bake.
Baking in ceramic or glass casserole dish makes it rise better.
Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 350⁰ F.
Then when cooled, pierce with a fork and drizzle the milk over, refrigerate to let it sink in.
Then top with whipped cream and berries.
Have in mind that tres leches cake is easy to make just like a regular sponge cake, only that there’s no addition of butter or oil.
You’ll need to bake for 30 to 35 minutes
And you’ll know it’s ready if the center is set and springs back when gently pressed.
Can I Make Tres Leches Cake Without Condensed Milk?
Yes, you can substitute the same amount of evaporated milk in place of sweetened/condensed milk.
Although, there will be a slight difference in the consistency and flavors of the cake.
To equal the sweetness, you can add sugar to the evaporated milk.
Evaporated milk is a fine substitute because both evaporated
And condensed milk has the same process of evaporating 60% of its water content.
Before looking for a perfect substitute for condensed milk, it is important to know the nutritional information
And the fact that condensed milk will make food creamy, so the substitute should be able to do the same.
Reasons for the need to substitute vary; it could be because of diary allergic people, lactose intolerant people, vegans,
And lack of access to condensed milk at the moment.
Other substitutes for condensed milk that will yield similar results are;
Almond milk plus sugar, coconut milk, and powdered milk plus butter.
Does Tres Leches Cake Go Bad?
Yes, obviously a diary incorporated food will go bad after a while. If it stays beyond the recommended period of time, it is better to discard it. The maximum time tres leches cake can be preserved is 3 days.
Leaving it for a longer period will be risky as the cake may begin to go stale.
The reason why tres leches cake goes bad is because of the diary content and whipped cream toppings.
Temperature above 40⁰ is the danger zone for tres leches cake,
So keep in a cool, dry place preferably the refrigerator.
If left out for 4 hours or more, discard it.
If you can’t tell the state of tres leches from the outside, cut into it and inspect it thoroughly.
Check the texture because originally, tres leches cake is moist and tender.
So if you find it hard and dry or mushy and slimy, toss it away because tres leches cake is not supposed to be soggy.
How Do You Know If Tree Leches Cake Is Bad?
Mold will develop on it if left out for too long and eventually becomes bad.
This is because moisture is a potential avenue for mold to grow.
The ingredients present in tres leches are perishables and can give way over time, such as eggs, dairy, whipped cream topping, berries, or fruits.
Cakes spoil gradually, the quality will decline first before it becomes totally unsafe to eat.
Harmful bacteria are quite dangerous because they can’t be readily seen or smelt.
Trust your taste buds in this case, once you take a piece that is spoiled,
You’ll know right away and you should spit it out.
How Do You Store Tres Leches Cake?
You can store it in the refrigerator where it will stay put for 3 – 5 days, with the soaked goodness and all toppings.
Plain cake can be refrigerated for 1 – 2 days, that is it can be made in advance before saturating it with dairy.
It can also be frozen for longer-term storage, only when freezing, freeze just the tres leches without toppings
This is because the toppings will make them soggy and messy. Freeze for 2 – 3 months.
Tres leches cake is best eaten within the first 48 hours, this is when it has been absorbed entirely.
Do not store on the counter at room temperature above 40⁰ for more than 4 hours.
Endeavor to always keep it wrapped up before refrigerating to preserve it better.
Wrap and seal in an air-tight container.
When ready to use, thaw and top with whipped cream or berry.
How Long Does Tres Leches Cake Last Out Of The Fridge?
Tres Leches Cake can last out of the fridge for a maximum of 4 hours at a temperature of 40⁰ or below.
In Temperature 60⁰ and above, tres leches cake should only be left out for 2 hours.
Exceeding this, your tres leches cake is done for
This is because bacteria will thrive and grow on it thereby making it unsafe for you.
Try as much as possible to consume tres leches cake as soon as they are baked, saturated, and topped.
If there are any leftovers, refrigerate and keep for 3 days or freeze for 2 – 3 months (without the frost or toppings to prevent a mushy state).
To preserve tres leches cake shelf life in the refrigerator, ensure it is tightly sealed in a container before refrigerating.
It can be made 1 – 2 days in advance, then soak the cake with milk mixture and keep it in the fridge overnight.
What Does Tres Leches Cake Taste Like?
It tastes heavenly. Imagine biting into an extra moist cake, soaked graciously in condensed milk and generously topped with whipped cream and fruits. The cake is light, simple, and spongy yet tastes like sweet magic.
It’s the perfect dessert after a satisfying meal.
It can be a bit over-dense if kept in the freezer.
The combination of ingredients and toppings in tres leches cake makes it irresistible and desired.
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How Long Does Sponge Cake Last?
Homemade sponge cake will last 5 days but supermarket sponge cake have a lot of preservatives packed in it to extend the shell life.
To preserve sponge cakes, wrap tightly in a film/wrap, then keep in a ziplock bag.
If left at room temperature, it will last 5 days, if refrigerated it will last 7 days and freezing extends the shell life.
Refrigeration is the best option if sponge cake has fillings or icings
This is because it will act as a barrier to keep the cake fresher for longer without drying out.
Whereas, the plain cake will dry out if refrigerated for long.
Conclusion
I know you can’t wait to finish reading this up so you can go into the kitchen and make some batch of tres leches cake.
Writing this already got me hungry for some and I bet it’s the same for you.
Tres leches cake is a treat, yummy and perfect.
Just do it right and store it right. We’ve got you covered!
Remember the question, how long does tres leches cake last?