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+ servings

Ube Tres Leches Cake

A moist, vibrant purple sponge cake infused with Ube (purple yam jam), soaked in a three-milk blend, and topped with a light, fluffy vanilla whipped cream.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Chill time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 34 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Cakes, Dessert

Ingredients
  

  • For the Cake:
  • All-purpose flour: 2 cups
  • Baking powder: 1 tablespoon
  • Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Unsalted butter softened: 1 cup
  • Granulated sugar: 1 1/2 cups
  • Large eggs: 4
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • Ube halaya purple yam jam: 1 cup
  • Whole milk: 1 cup
  • For the Milk Soak:
  • Evaporated milk: 1 can 12 ounces
  • Sweetened condensed milk: 1 can 14 ounces
  • Heavy cream: 1 cup
  • For the Topping:
  • Heavy cream: 1 cup
  • Powdered sugar: 2 tablespoons
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • Ube extract: Optional for color

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch Baking Pan
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Medium Bowl
  • Electric Mixer (handheld or stand)
  • Whisk
  • Skewer or Fork

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
  4. Add Eggs and Ube: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ube halaya until fully combined.
  5. Finish Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Start and end with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
  6. Bake Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Poke Holes: Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Use a skewer or fork to poke holes all over the top of the cake.
  8. Make Milk Soak: In a separate bowl, mix the evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk. Pour this mixture evenly over the cooled cake, ensuring it soaks into all the holes.
  9. Chill: Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
  10. Make Whipped Cream: Before serving, whip the 1 cup heavy cream with the powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
  11. Serve: Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the top of the cake. Drizzle with ube extract for color and flavor, if desired.

Notes

Lighter Version: Substitute half of the heavy cream (in the milk soak) with Greek yogurt to cut down on richness.
Added Texture: For added texture, fold in shredded coconut or chopped nuts into the whipped cream before topping the cake.
Ube Halaya: Ensure the ube halaya is warm or room temperature so it incorporates smoothly into the batter.
Soaking: The longer the cake soaks, the better! Overnight refrigeration results in an extremely moist cake.

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