Claire Saffitz Whipped Cream Tres Leches Cake | What's For Dessert

Claire Saffitz Whipped Cream Tres Leches Cake | What's For Dessert
I am slightly embarrassed to admit that as a dessert person, and more specifically as a cake person, I hadn’t spent much time getting to know tres leches cake, a beloved Latin American dessert, prior to this book. But, as tres leches is a sponge cake soaked liberally with three kinds of dairy (usually sweetened condensed and evaporated milks, and one other), I knew we’d be a good match. At the time I developed this recipe, I’d been playing around with the idea of a sponge cake lightened with whipped cream rather than egg whites. The whipped cream contributes butterfat as well as air, producing a sponge that is light but firm-absolutely perfect, as it happens, for tres leches cake, which needs sufficient structure to be able to absorb all that liquid. When I tasted my first test, the delicate flavors of cinnamon and cream called out for a toasted nut, so I added finely chopped toasted hazelnuts to the batter. The result is a slightly unusual but very special cake.
#treslechescake #cake #clairesaffitz
WHIPPED CREAM HAZELNUT SPONGE
Neutral oil for the pan
1⁄2 cup blanched hazelnuts (2 oz / 57g)
1 1⁄4 cups heavy cream (10.6 oz / 300g), chilled
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour (9.5 oz / 270g)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or 1⁄2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt
3⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
7 large eggs (12.3 oz / 350g), at room temperature
1 cup sugar (7 oz / 200g)
SOAK AND ASSEMBLY
2 cups whole milk (16 oz / 480g)
1 cup sweetened condensed milk (10.5 oz / 298g)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of kosher salt
4 cups heavy cream (32 oz / 960g), chilled, divided
Ground cinnamon, for sprinkling
What's for Dessert by Claire Saffitz is out now: geni.us/WjcIbfp
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Video Series:
Producer/Director: Vincent Cross
Camera Operator: Calvin Robertson
Editor: Hal McFall
Assistant Editor: Asher Rogers
Theme Song: Michael Guggino
Animation Credits:
Character Designer/Animator: Jack Sherry
Character Rigger: Johara Dutton
Background/Prop Designer: M. Cody Wiley
Background Illustrator: Jagriti Khirwar

[@CSaffitz]

Thanks to everyone who has subscribed to the channel!

[@dvdbsh]

What game were you playing on your phone! 😊

[@ArgentAbendAzure]

Yeah, what game? It's Candy Crush isn't it?

[@JavierFernandez01]

play goat simulator!

[@alonsoquesada1136]

I'm latin and we use the whole can of condensed milk (1 can of each milk) 😅 also we top it with sprinkles. I'll try your version soon, looks top notch

[@Gonjagopher]

Claire I am so happy you did this recipe and my husband and I can't wait to try it out. Thank you for all the videos and instructions we look forward to Thursdays and we just adore you!

[@hadeel3067]

Literally made this last week, I didn't invert the sponge properly so it broke. But fear not! I let it soak, crumbled the whole thing and made mini dessert cups layered with whipped cream, hazelnuts and cinammon. It was PHENOMENAL.

[@ajchapeliere]

That sounds delicious and has big Bob Ross energy!

[@vsb101]

In Montenegro and Albania, tres leches is made with goat, buffalo and cow's milk, that's why it's called trileche here:)

[@susanelainesanner]

I am fascinated by recipes from other cultures, especially those that include ingredients I've never tasted. I've never tasted buffalo milk! Thanks so much for your comment. It makes me aware of yet another aspect of preparing foods.

[@vsb101]

@@susanelainesanner

[@moiskithorn]

That sounds amazing! A very sneaky way to introduce folks to varieties of non-cow's milk too

[@lechatbotte.]

I adore tres leches cake. Again Claire is choosing all my favorite deserts. I look forward to Thursdays just for Claire.

[@DanielBasham]

Claire, I used your cinnamon roll bread recipe for my king cake and it came out perfect. Just wanted to give you a shout out!

[@CSaffitz]

thank you!

[@lawrente]

Claire, this is probably my favorite cake of all time. So glad you included it in your book.

[@jakesheaffer9444]

I truly love Claire’s videos! As a visual learner, it really adds another depth to the recipes, and makes them seem much more approachable.

[@Gir8o1]

I made this a few hours ago. I literally woke up at 5 am to give my mom a piece before going to work, as Mexicans this cake slaps, it’s perfect!

[@slenderhatesyou]

i've BEEN looking for the perfect tres leches recipe and who can i trust more than claire herself, im so glad you uploaded this!

[@natasham8076]

Claire, I recently made your roasted plum and biscoff icebox cake for a galentine’s day dinner and it was SHEER HEAVEN. One of the best things I’ve ever eaten!

[@jiojiart]

As someone who is starting to become lactose sensitive I need to try this cake before I become full blown intolerant… or plan a day where I’ll be home all day when I eat the cake

[@alataut8865]

😂

[@aliciaf1055]

Honestly, lactase tablets are my copilot these days.

[@tinekecarlson1220]

Highly recommend milk kefir. It cured my lactose sensitivity. Especially Zymosi brand with a flying cow, if you can find it. I'd drink about a cup a day.

[@Lizabeth90]

This is the one cake that reminds me of childhood. My moms tres leche cake was always on high demand. I always remember helping her with poking the wholes. Funny enough all of our family is lactose so we suffered after eating 😂. Yours looks great you even got that pool of milk at the bottom.

[@nca4794]

Hilarious, but a very sweet memory. 🥰

[@kurtpenner2362]

You can make this with coconut milk and coconut cream. I've done it and it's AWESOME.

[@dgred1610]

​@@kurtpenner2362 oh! I love coconut, but adding that ingredient I believe you have to eat it right away otherwise it's not good anymore after 2 days?

[@kurtpenner2362]

@@dgred1610 I don't know why that would be, but TLC gets eaten in short order in my house.

[@rjj28]

My favorite cake, cannot wait to make it! My wife made the blintzes and lemon bundt cake the past few weeks which were both delicious!

[@alyssarico5535]

My mom has made tres leches on my life but I’m excited to try this one just to taste the difference since I’ve only ever had her 😋 One thing she does to get the most moist, soaked cake is that she precuts the cake after baking and then pours the milk and it is mouthwatering 🤤

[@SheilaBapat]

It never occurred to me that you are preparing multiple desserts simultaneously when making these videos!!

[@esmedelvalle8062]

I’ve been binge watching your videos including the recipes you’ve posted with NYT cooking and I just re-watched the Sponge Cake video because I’ve been really craving Tres Leches Cake. The fact that today’s video is Tres Leches Cake is a funny and satisfying coincidence

[@annamarierodriguez20]

My partner and I bought both of your books. Together we have made 9 recipes and there's so many more we have marked to try. Trying this one tonight. I enjoy not only your recipes but I love your personality! Thank you for all your awesome recipes.

[@haileyvasquez9621]

I made this in December for my husband's birthday 🎂 and it was so amazing!!!!! I love this recipe

[@imstillmata3675]

I'm impressed. So many online recipes are “yet another chocolate chip cookie except with the inclusion of brown butter (… or pistachios or miso or tahini or Aleppo pepper or some other ingredients of the moment). I've made many versions of Pastel de Tres Leches, but this truly is a novel variety with an ingredient change that creates a novel technique. Nice work.

[@Jay-Jay.GDLMxYVR]

I am so EXCITED !! For this recipe. !!! As a Mexican fan I’m so happy and thankful for this recipe ❤❤

[@laurenschenck5355]

Thanks so much for everything you’re THE BEST Claire ❤

[@adb1917]

I don't think I’ve ever seen a sponge cake that lived up to its name, or I’ve never actually realized what a sponge cake was. This is literally a cake based sponge that wiped up milk, so cool and probably so delicious 🤤

[@anjalibhat14]

My favorite cake and my favorite baker! A dream!

[@pearlz9027]

Thank you, I love your recipes and clear explanations.

[@Sneakyfelinexoxo]

I made this last week and it was soooo good! So fun seeing how much faster you put it together 😂 I ate mine over the course of the week so I just left it in the tray instead of inverting. It didn’t look pretty but still tasted AMAZINGGGG

[@olivergoldman7207]

I was already planning on making this recipe for a dinner party saturday. perfect timing!

[@wendysanders8165]

I loved the recipe. The cake was light, perfectly moist, and delicious. The next time I make it, I would use a better vanilla or vanilla paste, and more cinnamon. Will definitely make again.

[@MrNickolas97]

CLAIRE!! I just made this for work 2 weeks ago! So glad you made a video for this one ❤

[@stufffstufffington]

Tres Leches cake is my absolute favorite cake but I've never made it. I was looking around for recipes I thought I'd like to try and when I saw Claire had one I was thrilled

[@beritobere82]

That cake looks delicioso !!!. I am going to try your recipe, gracias Claire!!!.

[@MarioMVasilev]

The arcade noises when Claire was playing the game. I just love how you add all these little details in post.

[@kayanncee8291]

Yum!! Love tres leches!

[@seankent2424]

I tried this recipe awhile ago!! ❤

[@sministro]

This looks soo good! Will definitely be making this one soon!

[@thesubstitutehomecook]

Looks really good! Thank you for sharing this!

[@TonyValdezCeballos]

My favorite cake in the world, instant like

[@damned_1]

Been born and raised eating this cake…this looks very good! Not too soaked, and usually do the same, as we don’t like it overly sweet so, I reserve some of the sweetened condensed milk for coffee, and it’s delicious! Have also made this cake into muffins and/or cupcakes! Thanks for sharing your version with the masses. 🤩

[@loveyaTW123]

thank youuuuuu for posting this!! Gonna surprise my Momma with this one! She loves you and Tres Leche, a win win

[@xoch1717]

the cake my family had at every bday party :) never thought I'd see you make one!

[@Enmanuelsella]

What I really need in my life is a video where Dan Levy comes on as a guest and Claire does a recipe where they fold something into a batter.

[@lizhood6132]

Hi Claire - just to say that my copy of What's For Dessert arrived this week. Well done! So many recipes, so well written and interestingly different. Obviously another labour of love. I will use it well! Thank you.

[@shefalisara6678]

You wont believer,,, id been looking for a nice tres leches recipe since this morning,,, couldnt choose any one and was looking for it again only to find ur video,, yayyyyyyy

[@morganpiatt2689]

Made this a few weeks ago! Loved it!

[@collynarnold9628]

I made this recipe in January for a family birthday!

[@josephinemartin]

This looks so delicious! I'm so excited to try this since whipping egg whites is so intimidating without a mixer!

[@teriscallon]

goodness, that looks so good

[@CLTGeek]

If you like sugar and cream in your coffee, you can always use a spoonful of the remnant sweetened condensed milk in your coffee.

[@angelica5709]

Genius...

[@marciblicher593]

I just made this cake but only had time to soak it for 2 1/2 hrs. It is delicious and even better the next day after it was refrigerated. I will definitely make it again!

[@anglaise992]

You are awesome Claire!

[@zDiegoChz]

I´d actually recommend pouring the soak while the sponge is still warm OR heat up the soak and pour it on the cooled sponge. If one of the 2 is warm, its gonan absorb the liquid much much better

[@madisonhalliday1915]

Looks so good

[@Rose-bonnie]

THANK YOU this is my favourite cake ever and its my birthday next week omg !!!!! thanks

[@Rokegle135]

I'm legit making this this week lol

[@horizon215]

Oh wow that's so interesting to know that you film multiple recipes throughout the day

[@laurenschenck5355]

OMG! SO AMAZING MAGNIFICENT ❤

[@jennifergassaway9787]

This could not have come out at a more perfect time! It’s my fiancés birthday today, and his absolute fav is tres leches cake. VERY excited to make this today! Thank you Claire! 🙏🏼💜

[@yusususuf]

how was it? tips welcome!

[@denduo3680]

I LOVE eating tres leches. Maybe this time for me to make one for once.

[@marksafe5463]

I watch this like five different times so I can get the recipe and technique, right and I watched her drop the container about 10 times. Laughed every time.🤣

[@debrascott8775]

Claire: be patient, it will triple in size be ribbon stage. Also Claire: 6 minutes, not at ribbon, only doubled in size, good enough.

[@Ryquard1]

thats only if you are not using whipped cream for the volume, you can do it in a simple sponge an it ends great!

[@tannerharding6359]

I’m not a huge tres leches fan, but I love Claire’s videos because even if it’s not my favorite food I learn so much about technique. Claire - you’re an excellent teacher!

[@AussieAngeS]

That looks absolutely delicious 😍😍😍

[@carlislesinkeri66pt6]

I know this is an old video but i just wanted to say this recipe is fantastic! I was inspired and used this recipe to make a tiramisu tres leches cake for a birthday! Thank you for being so awesome, Claire (and crew)!

[@memuka-]

Halved the recipe for a loaf pan, turned out amazing! Love the addition of toasted hazelnuts and heavy cream instead of the evaporated milk! It’s super moist and not too sweet, would definitely recommend! ☺️

[@lizzzlouise]

My favorite cake ever cannot wait to try this!!! Or rather make my mother in law bake it for me 😘 haha!

[@dreamland923]

Claire makes welcoming Thursdays a little warmer than other days of the week

[@dreamland923]

Also congrats on 1M!!

[@handlealreadytaken718]

I've been waiting for this one !!!

[@sanaa7]

I love cream too! I tried tres leches cake once before but it wasn't my favourite. My parents loved it though. I might try to make this recipe and see if I like it any better.

[@angievanh]

watching this video is not enough, I need Claire to come to México and bake it with me :(

[@sirephlyrrian6242]

i love these intros

[@Pastry626]

It's really amazing 😍

[@savannamm]

Omg my husband LOVES tres leches cake, I have to make this for him!

[@savannamm]

Now on my way to buy the book before the store closes so I can make this this weekend

[@anthonydolio8118]

Wonderful!

[@Aftershk]

I, once again, am requesting "Verdict: Mmmm" merch. :P

[@wonderfront]

I live in Scotland so have never tried anything like tres leches cake - I can't even imagine what that soak does to the sponge!

[@Crochetified]

I agree with Claire about not adding sugar to the whipped cream topping, but I might add a few tablespoons of Frangelico to echo the hazelnuts inside. Love the channel! Thanks to every soul (cats included) involved.

[@maxtreme225]

Once had some of this made by a friend, whose sons finished the whole milk she bought before she could rescue them and had to substitute that with almond milk instead (still used evaporated milk and condensed milk though) and we ended up liking the almond milk in it because of the light nuttiness it added.

[@debra333]

Ooooh!! Use that left-over sweetened condensed milk in coffee! 🙃😋

[@accordionbabe]

Pour coffee into the can, swirl, enjoy!

[@debra333]

@@accordionbabe I like the cut of your jib! 👍

[@mangoesrgreat1799]

WHAT WAS THE GAMMMEEE also awesome cake btw

[@AZTucker]

Yum!

[@amalalmarwani5127]

Made this and omg it was perfect not too sweet I let it soak overnight

[@Ryquard1]

my recipe is so different, but choped nuts in a 3 leches is always a good combo, i put ground cinnamon and walnut praline over mine, its so delicious

[@benicerh]

I am Mexican, I hate 3 leches cake (the texture of wet bread, ew). I'm still watching because I love these videos too much and they are basically my self care for the day

[@biancajingles2690]

Absolutely same!!! I can’t get over the texture hahaha

[@_westcoastcanine_]

You’re awesome. Learned so much. Have both yur books ❤. That is all……

[@ivannaheredia5909]

6:15 Love the shot of the 7 eggs being cracked

[@aimeeparrott9204]

This looks so delicious! When you opened the can of sweetened condensed milk, I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought of the stirring robot...!

[@NizarNoor]

omg the cat cam at the end 😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰

[@accordionbabe]

Ingredients’ cost: Everything but eggs: $2.16. Eggs: $1 Million Dollars! Worth it!

[@akusfan1]

This looks amazing :)

[@Michelle.A79]

This yummy 😋 cake is a Nicaraguan recipe ❤️🇳🇮🎂

[@purplesoda793]

I’ve never seen someone make a tres leches cake and am surprised how similar it is to a type of strawberry cake made in my family. The idea of making an airy cake with eggs then letting it soak after baking in some liquid (In the case of the strawberry cake macerated strawberries.) It’s shows you how similar foods can be even from different cultures and contexts.

[@annabiosis__]

That sounds incredible!

[@unit--ns8jh]

I made tres leches cake once, but mine was like half as tall as Claire's 😅 I actually didn't remember it's in What's For Dessert, gotta give this nutty version a try 🤔

[@blue9280]

A little orange zest might be nice in the cream topping to offset some of the sweetness and play well with the hazel nuttiness 😊

[@demetriaduma6218]

Perfect idea!!!

[@fishpickles1377]

This looks insanely good. Insanely good, because, while i won't make it, if i had the capacity to do so, my heart would most likely stop within a few weeks from overconsumption. I feel as though this cake is my spirit animal, if cakes could be animals. How does this speak so much to me?

[@mbashari2575]

Amazing looking cake ❤ can flour be substituted with almond flour?

[@kizzer20052]

Love you been watching since Bon Appetite

[@Rodviet]

Oh my GOD! This is a dream come true, Claire elevates everything to perfection. I'm Mexican, it's so hard sometimes to find a good tres leches because sometimes they come out bland. Absolutely cannot wait to try this asap.

[@nic558]

Right? Love that she is making a good elevated Nicaraguan dessert. My fav cake 🤌🏼

[@ferndeininger6150]

Your passion for dairy impresses me

[@emiliagarel-jones9872]

I think cat cam is the best part of this series.

[@jaredrazack1396]

It's hard to find a good one to buy. I will try this!

[@guro4679]

It's common to add a bit of rum to balance the sweetness from the whole can of condensed milk.

[@nic558]

In mother’s country they love using their own rum for this cake! I love it. I’m glad some others do as well!

[@demetriaduma6218]

do you put the rum in the soak mixture? and how much would you put? :)

[@guro4679]

@@demetriaduma6218 sure, well, yes, I prefer it with rum. It adds a nice acidity and aroma to the soak. The basic principle is that you put as much rum as you want. The more you add, the boozier. But, I usually start with 1/4 cup of rum for every Condensed Milk can 👍 I'd use a dark rum, but I guess any rum would do the trick, the important bit is that it's in there 😅

[@dgred1610]

​@@guro4679 hi, would it be too strong if you add that much?

[@guro4679]

@@dgred1610 Hi there! In doubt, add the rum by the tablespoon. Try it with 1, and you add more till you taste something special with no unpleasant alcoholic aftertaste 👍