Our love for pumpkin, as affirmed by our regular followers, is anything but commonplace. Our tables each fall are graced by a delightful array of dishes, from scrumptious glazed pumpkin scones to hearty pumpkin English muffins. However, stealing the limelight, our spiced pumpkin tres leches cake with whipped cream might just be the monarch of all our pumpkin-themed delights.
Unraveling Tres Leches Cake
If Tres Leches cake is a stranger to your culinary repertoire, let’s acquaint you. This delightfully light sponge cake basks in a trio of milk: evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and in this recipe, half and half cream.
In contrast to the traditionally minimalistic Tres Leches, our version teases the taste buds with a rich pumpkin undertone and an infusion of autumnal spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. Crowned with spiced whipped cream, it’s the pinnacle of indulgence. This cake is the perfect dessert choice for every fall event, whether it’s a Halloween party or a Thanksgiving feast.
Mastering Cake Soaking
Soaking the cake might trigger some skepticism. The thought of dousing a pristine sheet cake with almost a quart of liquid can indeed be overwhelming.
Nevertheless, with a generous dose of patience and a meticulous, steady pouring approach, the cake will absorb all the liquid. After hibernating in the fridge for four hours, the cake emerges with an incredible soft texture, turning it into an autumnal spin on your beloved Tres Leches. If you’re new to the world of Tres Leches, this recipe could be your perfect introduction.
This novel takes on standard fall desserts is bound to delight your dinner guests, offering a refreshing twist on the usual lineup of apple and pumpkin pies.
Ingredients
Cake Components:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup sugar
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups pumpkin puree (one 15-ounce can)
- 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 12 ounces of evaporated milk
- 14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk
- 3/4 cup half-and-half
Spiced Cream Components:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- A hint of vanilla extract
Instructions
- Start by setting your oven to preheat at 350 degrees. Ready a 9×13 inch sheet pan by greasing and dusting it with flour. In a medium-sized bowl, blend the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices together. Set aside.
- In a separate larger bowl, merge the sugar, oil, vanilla, and pumpkin. Gradually incorporate the eggs into the mix, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition.
- Slowly introduce the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Transfer the batter to the prepped pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Give the cake a 15-minute cooling period before inverting it onto a serving plate. Using a fork, distribute holes all over the cake’s surface. In a sizeable pitcher or measuring cup, amalgamate the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and half and half. Gradually and slowly pour this over the cake, allowing it to absorb. This stage demands patience, but the end result is certainly worth the effort. Cover and chill the cake for a minimum of 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
- Lastly, craft the spiced cream. Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, beat together the cream, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until it forms stiff peaks. Evenly spread this cream over the cake, cut it into slices, and it’s ready to serve.
Tips
The recipe yields one 9×13-inch sheet cake.
Extra Useful Information for the Reader
Pumpkin doesn’t just bring delicious flavor; it also carries a wealth of nutrients. It’s rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that your body converts into Vitamin A. Plus, pumpkin’s high fiber and low-calorie content make it an excellent option for those mindful of their caloric intake this autumn season.
The unique charm of this Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake lies in its ability to initiate conversations at your gatherings. Its distinctive character and versatility can break through the monotony of typical desserts, possibly inspiring your guests to explore more culinary adventures themselves.
Remember, baking is a creative process. It offers room for exploration and experimentation. Feel free to modify the spices in this recipe to suit your taste or try different toppings aside from the spiced cream. Let your culinary imagination take flight as you whip up this delectable dessert.