Craving a dessert but don’t want to bake? This tres leches coffee scratches every dessert itch with the sweet and creamy flavor of a tres leches cake in drink form. The milks are perfect for adding to an iced latte, which makes it extremely creamy and delicious.

A tres leches latte is so easy to make at home, especially if you have leftover ingredients from making an actual tres leches cake. You only need 3 ingredients to make the base of this latte, and it’s incredible.

So, here’s how to make a delicious tres leches coffee at home!

What is Tres Leches?

Tres leches, meaning “three milks” in Spanish, refers to a classic Latin American dessert, a sponge cake soaked in a mixture of three kinds of milk: evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream. This cake is beloved for its rich, moist texture and subtle sweetness, often topped with whipped cream for an extra layer of indulgence, a dusting of cinnamon, and strawberries.

The origins of tres leches cake are debated, with roots claimed by several Latin American countries. Regardless of its exact origin, it has become a dessert staple worldwide, even in places like the Philippines that have Spanish colonial history. Its unique flavor and texture make it an ideal inspiration for drinks like the tres leches latte, which brings that same creamy richness into your coffee.

How to Pronounce Tres Leches

Pronouncing “tres leches” is easier than it might seem. It’s pronounced “trehs leh chehs” (with a soft “ch” sound like in “cheese”). “Tres” means three, and “leches” means milks. Together, the phrase literally translates to “three milks.”

Getting the pronunciation right is not just a matter of accuracy; it’s a small way to honor the cultural heritage behind the dish. If you’re ordering or making a tres leches latte, saying it correctly adds a touch of authenticity and respect.

Dulce de Leche vs. Tres Leches

Dulce de leche and tres leches might sound similar, but they’re entirely different.

Dulce de leche is a caramel-like sauce made by slowly heating sweetened milk until it thickens and turns golden. It’s sweet, rich, and often used as a topping or filling for desserts.

On the other hand, tres leches refers to the combination of three milks used to soak the cake, giving it its signature soft and moist texture. While dulce de leche can occasionally be incorporated into tres leches cake, they are not the same. T ink of dulce de leche as a complement to tres leches, not a replacement.

What is in Tres Leches?

Traditionally, tres leches cake is made with evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream. These three milks combine soak into the sponge cake, giving it a melt-in-your-mouth texture and extremely addicting creamy flavor.

Modern versions of tres leches sometimes experiment with the ratios or even substitute ingredients like coconut or almond milk for a twist on the classic. Regardless of variations, it is always a combination of milk or cream, evaporated milk, and condensed milk.

Evaporated Milk vs. Condensed Milk

Evaporated milk and condensed milk are often confused, but they are very different.

Evaporated milk is simply milk that has been heated to remove about 60% of its water content, resulting in a creamy, unsweetened liquid. It’s great for adding richness to recipes without extra sweetness or wateriness. Evaporated milk has a slightly sweet, toast-like flavor that is unique!

Condensed milk, on the other hand, is evaporated milk with added sugar. It’s thick, sweet, and perfect for desserts or coffee drinks like the tres leches latte. In taste, condensed milk is sweet and milky, similar to a milk candy.

Both are important to have in a tres leches cake; otherwise, it won’t have the recognizable tres leches flavor. You can find both easily in any grocery store.

What Does Tres Leches Taste Like?

Tres leches is a delightful blend of creamy, sweet, slight caramel, and cinnamon flavors. The sponge has a custard-like flavor that mixes perfectly with the sweetened milk. It’s not overly sweet, making it a treat anyone can enjoy.

When translated into a latte, these flavors create a rich yet balanced drink. The creamy milk and subtle caramel notes pair perfectly with the boldness of the coffee, resulting in an incredible drink.

What is in a Tres Leches Latte?

This tres leches latte has espresso, milk, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract inspired by tres leches cake. Heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla are used for homemade whipped cream, which mimics the whipped cream topping on tres leches cake!

Optional garnishes like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a drizzle of dulce de leche can elevate the drink further. The result is a latte that’s creamy, sweet, and reminiscent of the beloved dessert.

How to Make a Tres Leches Latte

Here’s what you’ll need to make a tres leches latte:

• Evaporated milk
• Condensed milk
• Heavy cream
• Sugar
• Milk
• Ice
• Espresso
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon

Tres Leches Latte Recipe

1. Brew espresso: Brew espresso or strong coffee using your favorite method.
2. Combine milk: Mix condensed, evaporated, and regular milk until well combined.
3. Make whipped cream: Whip heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in a cup or bowl using a handheld frother or whisk. Whip the sweetened cream until soft peaks form; the cream should be fluffy but still pourable.
4. Assemble drink: Add ice, sweetened milks, and espresso to a separate cup. Top with the whipped cream and dust with cinnamon as garnish.
5. Mix and enjoy!

Milk Substitutes

For a dairy-free tres leches latte, try substituting coconut, almond, or oat milk for the evaporated milk. There is also evaporated coconut milk, which you can use as well! Sweetened condensed coconut milk works perfectly as a non-dairy alternative to traditional condensed milk.

If you’re looking to reduce sugar, use unsweetened almond or cashew milk and sweeten to taste with a natural sweetener like maple syrup or stevia. While the flavor may differ slightly, these substitutions can still produce a delicious and satisfying latte.

Tips

• Homemade Milks: You can make evaporated and condensed milk at home if you don’t have the canned version! For evaporated milk, boil milk until half of the water has reduced off. Add a 1/2 cup of sugar to 1 cup of condensed milk and let it boil until you have a syrup consistency.
• Make It Ahead: Prepare the tres leches milk mixture in advance and store it in the fridge for up to a week. This saves time and makes it easier to whip up a latte on busy mornings.
• Don’t Skip the Garnish: A dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg tie the flavors together beautifully.