how long does tres leches cake last (easy guide)

Today, we will look at one of the most common questions among dessert lovers, How long does tres leches cake last?

I am sure you are a big fan of this popular Latin American dessert- Tres Leches cake. That's why you are here to know more about its storage options. Or you have created this mouth-watering dessert and want to save the leftovers. I have got you covered, it is one of my favorite cakes too. I just made it last night :).

We will go over all of the storage options so you can effectively store and enjoy it for longer. I will also explain how to identify if it's gone bad and when to say goodbye to it. Let's begin.

What is tres leches cake (milk cake)?

In case, if you have never tried this heavenly dessert, let me introduce you to it.  Tres leches cake is an authentic Mexican cake, that is a popular dessert in Latin American countries. This is known for its melts-on-mouth texture and its credit goes to its name, tres leches, meaning three milks, yes you read it right. The vanilla sponge cake is soaked with three different types of milk, regular whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk. Some replace the regular milk with heavy cream or almond milk but it's up to you. And then, it is topped with lightly sweetened fresh whipped cream ( I am drooling...).

How long does tres leches cake last?

Whenever you make any dessert, store it at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer, and tres leche cake is no different.

Room Temperature - If you are making it for a party or to satisfy your sweet tooth, you can easily keep it at room temperature for a couple of hours. In fact, I would recommend leaving it out for one hour before serving because the cake will have reached room temperature and so be softer than the refrigerated version. However, after an hour or two, pop it back in the refrigerator as the whipped cream will begin to lose firmness, making the cake too soggy.

In the refrigerator -  Once you keep the cake in the refrigerator, you can enjoy it for up to 5 days. The three types of milk soak into the cake and keep it moist. So, you don't have to worry about the cake being dry. Make sure to cover the cake with plastic wrap so that it doesn't catch outside odors. You can also keep it in an airtight container, whatever you feel most comfortable in.

In the freezer - I do not recommend freezing this cake. It will lose its texture and become soggy once thawed. So, enjoy the cake while it is still in the refrigerator. However, you may freeze the airy sponge cake, which serves as the foundation for any tres leches cake. Cover the entire cake with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Whenever you are ready to make this amazing cake, thaw the light sponge cake overnight in the refrigerator, then soak it with a sweet milk mixture, top with whipped cream, and serve. I have tried it while making my eggless tres leches cake and it was delicious.

Factors that affect the shelf life of traditional tres leches cake

Several other elements can influence the shelf life and moist texture of tres leches cake.

1. Ingredients used - Tres leches is made up of three kinds of milk. Except for condensed and evaporated milk, which is canned and has a longer shelf life, whole milk is highly perishable and has a limited shelf life. So, it would be best to preserve it carefully, so it lasts longer.

2. Type of storage - You should cover it with plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing outside odors and to keep it as fresh as the first day.

3. Temperature of the room - While it is acceptable to keep the cake at room temperature for a couple of hours, it is not safe to do so if the outside temperature is extremely high. That can cause this tender cake to spoil faster than expected. Keeping it in the refrigerator would help in that case.

4. Topping on the cake  - Most people use whipped cream topping, but if you use fresh fruit, such as fresh strawberries or other fresh berries, this delicious cake will spoil sooner because the fruit spoils faster. It will stay ok for up to 2 days.

How to know when your tres leches cake has gone bad

After all of the preparation for storage, it is critical to know whether it is still good or has gone bad due to various factors mentioned above, or if it has been sitting in the refrigerator for a few days longer than the recommended storage days, or if it has been sitting outside for too long. There can be numerous reasons, right? Here are some key points to consider.

1. Smell of the cake - If the cake has an unpleasant or sour odor then it is the time to say goodbye to the cake.

2. Appearance -  If it appears overly wet or if you notice any mold growth then it is time to throw it.

3. Taste - If the smell and appearance are fine, but when you taste it, and if the cake tastes foul, then do not consume.

Conclusion

To summarize, the best way to store tres leches cake is to always cover the cake with plastic wrap, keep it in an airtight container, and refrigerate it when not eating. And I do not recommend freezing the finished product as its texture might change.

If you haven’t yet made this magical cake at home, now’s the perfect time to try it.  If you don't want to use eggs, I have an eggless tres leches recipe. And remember, with the proper storage, you can enjoy it for several days!"

What do you feel?

Do you believe you have enough knowledge to store this delicious Mexican treat? Let me know in the comments below, whatever storage option you choose for storing.

Tag me (@dessertkatta) or use the hashtag #dessertkatta to share your delicious creations on social media!

Until next time, enjoy baking and eating! 💕🍰