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Bake a light sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk and topped with fresh strawberries. This Filipino-style Strawberry Tres Leches Cake is moist, creamy, and irresistible.
Strawberry tres leches cake works because the sponge stays light enough to absorb the milk mixture without collapsing. Once chilled, the cake turns creamy and tender, with the fruit helping cut through the richness.
The coconut milk in the soak gives this version a slightly fuller flavor than a standard three-milk cake. It is a good make-ahead dessert for birthdays, potlucks, or any meal where you want the cake ready before guests arrive.
Serve the cake cold, with the strawberries added shortly before bringing it to the table. If you are making it ahead, keep the fruit separate until the last moment so the top stays fresh.
This style of cake is often better the day after it is made because the milk mixture has more time to settle through the sponge. The crumb becomes evenly moist rather than patchy, and the cake slices more cleanly once fully chilled.
The strawberries also play an important role beyond decoration. Their freshness helps offset the richness of the milk soak and keeps the dessert from reading as too heavy or overly sweet.
This is a very useful make-ahead celebration cake because most of the work is done before guests arrive. Add the fruit and any extra cream close to serving so the top still looks fresh.
Smaller slices usually make sense because the cake is soft and rich even when the flavor stays light.
Bake a light sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk and topped with fresh strawberries. This Filipino-style Strawberry Tres Leches Cake is moist, creamy, and irresistible.

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Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
In a bowl, mix cake flour and baking powder. Set aside.
In another bowl, whisk sugar, vegetable oil, milk, and egg yolks until combined.
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until smooth.
In a clean bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
Gradually add sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold meringue into the batter in three additions without deflating.
Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Mix condensed milk, fresh milk, coconut milk, and evaporated milk.
Poke holes into the cooled cake using a fork or skewer.
Slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake to absorb. Let rest for 2 hours or refrigerate overnight.
7/25/2025
I swapped the coconut milk with heavy cream for a richer taste. It was decadent but still refreshing with the strawberries.
2/20/2025
I chilled it overnight as suggested and the flavor was even better the next day. A new family favorite!
7/6/2024
Followed the recipe to the letter. It was easy and turned out so professional-looking. Will make again!
1/1/2024
Loved the texture and the milk soak. I used mangoes instead of strawberries and it still worked perfectly.
6/12/2023
I made this for my daughter’s birthday and it was a hit! The cake turned out so moist and flavorful. Thank you!
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Serving Size: 117 g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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