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Cozy Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake: Best Fall Dessert Recipe

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This cozy pumpkin tres leches cake is a fall twist on the classic, featuring a light pumpkin sponge soaked in a creamy three-milk mixture and topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. It’s a crowd-pleasing dessert that gets better after a night in the fridge.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and mix until combined.
  5. Add pumpkin puree and mix on low speed until just incorporated.
  6. Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk: start with half the flour mixture, mix on low, then add all buttermilk, mix, then remaining flour mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  7. Pour batter into prepared dish and spread evenly. Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Let cake cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Poke holes all over the cake with a fork or skewer.
  9. In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk together evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, ½ cup heavy cream, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon until smooth.
  10. Slowly pour about one-third of the milk mixture over the warm cake. Let soak for 2 minutes, then pour another third. Wait 2 minutes, then pour remaining mixture.
  11. Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  12. Just before serving, whip 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract together until soft peaks form. Spread over chilled cake and dust with ground cinnamon.

Notes

Room temperature ingredients are important for best texture. Poke holes vigorously to ensure even soaking. Staged pouring of milk mixture prevents sogginess. Overnight refrigeration yields best flavor and texture. Add whipped cream topping just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin tres leches, fall dessert, pumpkin cake, tres leches cake, pumpkin spice, easy pumpkin dessert

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/cozy-pumpkin-tres-leches-cake-best-fall-dessert-recipe/