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Delightful Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

Strawberry Tres Leches is a delightful dessert featuring a light and spongy cake soaked in a delicious strawberry milk mixture. Topped with fresh whipped cream and juicy sliced strawberries, it’s the perfect treat for summer gatherings or any special occasion!

If you love classic Tres Leches, then this strawberry twist will quickly become your favorite! This easy recipe uses boxed cake mix, making it a no-fuss option for home bakers.

The fluffy cake is creamy and moist, soaking up all the milks to create a dessert that’s not just sweet but also rich in fresh strawberry flavor.

Perfect for warm weather, this cake shines at events like Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or any summer barbecue. Enjoy it chilled, and let it impress your guests with its gorgeous presentation!

If you’re looking for a fun fall alternative, check out my Pumpkin Tres Leches recipe!

Why Everyone Loves Strawberry Tres Leches 🍓

Triple Strawberry Flavor: This cake is made with strawberry cake, strawberry milk, and fresh strawberries—truly delicious!
Ideal for Summer: Enjoy this chilled dessert on hot days to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Perfect for Sharing: This scrumptious cake serves at least 12, making it a great option for gatherings.
Make Ahead: You can prepare this dessert up to 3 days in advance, making it a convenient party treat.

Ingredients You Need

NOTE: The full list of ingredients with measurements is provided in the recipe card below.

Check the photo below for a visual guide to all the ingredients you’ll need for this fabulous cake. You can screenshot it for easy reference while shopping!

Ingredients for strawberry tres leches cake in bowls on a countertop, including cake mix, eggs, oil, milk, strawberry milk, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and strawberries.

For the Cake:

Strawberry Cake Mix: Easy and flavorful, I recommend using strawberry cake mix to boost the flavor, but a vanilla mix works too.
Oil: Adds moisture and fluffiness to the cake.
Eggs: Necessary for the perfect rise and texture.
Milk: Whole milk is preferred for flavor, but you can use 2% as well. This replaces the water usually required.
Vanilla Extract: A splash enhances the flavor, but feel free to omit if you prefer.

For the Tres Leches Mixture:

Strawberry Milk: Use store-bought or create your own by blending whole milk with fresh strawberries and sugar.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: This ingredient is essential for that rich, creamy flavor.
Evaporated Milk: Adds to the classic tres leches richness.

For the Topping:

Heavy Whipping Cream: Use cold for the best whipping results.
Powdered Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the whipped cream.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the whipped cream, but optional.
Fresh Strawberries: Use as many as you like for a vibrant topping.

How to Make Strawberry Tres Leches

Creating this cake is easy and requires just about 20 minutes of hands-on time. Let’s dive into the steps!

Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, oil, and milk, stirring in the vanilla extract. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake according to the instructions on the box.

TIP: Using milk instead of water makes the cake more flavorful and moist.

Mixing the cake batter before baking for strawberry tres leches.

Poke Holes: Once the cake is baked, use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the top. This allows the milk mixture to soak in.
Soak the Cake: In a bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and strawberry milk. Slowly pour this mixture over the cake, ensuring it soaks in evenly.

TIP: Let the cake rest for a few minutes before placing it in the fridge; this helps the cake soak up the milk.

Poking the cake and pouring the tres leches milk mixture over it.

Chill: Cover the cake and place it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

TIP: For the best flavor, let the cake chill overnight so it can absorb all the creamy goodness.

Make the Whipped Cream: After chilling, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. For ease, use a mixer, but whisking by hand works too—just be sure to whisk vigorously.
Finish the Cake: Layer sliced strawberries on top of the cake. You can slice them in half or lay them out however you desire.

TIP: Serve the cake chilled for the best experience. The longer it sits, the better it absorbs the strawberry milk!

A whole strawberry tres leches cake on a countertop, ready to be served.

Recipe Variations

Add Fresh Strawberries: For those looking to intensify the strawberry flavor, fold diced strawberries into the batter before baking.
Use Store-Bought Whipped Topping: If you’re short on time, feel free to use a pre-made whipped topping, though homemade is highly recommended for taste.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

This Strawberry Tres Leches cake is perfect for making ahead. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you plan to serve it later, wait to add the fresh strawberries until just before serving to keep them fresh.