Guest Author - Amy McDaniel

Don't be fooled by the fancy name of this beyond-moist Mexican cake. Tres Leches cake is so simple to prepare that it's easy enough for a mid-week taco night, especially if you use a mix. Plus, it is simply delicious, too good to save just for special occasions.

Tres leches means "three milks," though different cooks use different kinds of milk. Condensed milk is nearly always in there, but the other two may include evaporated milk, whole milk, half-and-half, whipping cream, or even coconut milk.

Whichever ones are used, the three milks are stirred together and then poured over the whole cake, resulting in a delightfully moist dessert. The cake may be topped with white icing or with whipped cream. I've added fruit and nuts drizzled with honey for this sophisticated--but still a snap to make--version.

Experiment! If you have make the all-time best white or yellow cake from scratch, by all means use that recipe instead of using mix from a box. Also, play with various milk combinations to find the formula that’s right for you. Or use whichever kinds are on hand; if you keep a box of cake mix on hand, or the ingredients for your cake recipe, you can make Tres Leches for last-minute company without having to head to the store! The garnishes I used are not set in stone, either, so have fun personalizing this recipe, and making it as simply or as elegantly as you would like.

You might be better off serving Tres Leches in bowls instead of a plate. The cake becomes so saturated that some of the milk will seep out.

Recipe

One box moist yellow cake mix, baked according to package directions in a 13x9-inch sheet pan OR your favorite yellow or white cake recipe, baked

1 cup whole milk
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup heavy cream

8 oz heavy cream, whipped
OR
1 (12 oz) container white icing

1 mango, diced
1 cup walnut halves, toasted
3 tablespoons honey

1. Using a fork, poke holes in cake every 1/2 inch.
2. Stir together whole milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. Pour over surface of cake, pressing down carefully with a spatula so that liquid is absorbed.
3. Chill cake for one hour.
4. Top with whipped cream or icing.
5. Garnish with mango and walnut pieces. Drizzle with honey. Serve.

Serves 14-16