If you are searching for a dessert that effortlessly combines delicate sweetness with a fresh, vibrant twist, then this Strawberry Matcha Tres Leches Cake Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine a luxuriously moist cake soaked in a luscious blend of three milks infused with earthy matcha, all topped with juicy strawberries and cloud-like whipped cream. It’s a celebration of flavors and textures that come together beautifully, creating a dessert that feels both indulgent and refreshingly unique. Whether you’re impressing guests or treating yourself, this cake is an absolute showstopper.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but carefully chosen to create that perfect balance of texture, flavor, and color in this stunning cake. Each component plays an essential role in bringing out the best in this dessert, from the fragrant matcha to the juicy fresh strawberries.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure and a tender crumb to the cake.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise beautifully for a light texture.
- Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors.
- Matcha powder: Adds a vibrant green hue and subtle, earthy bitterness for complexity.
- Unsalted butter: Provides richness and moistness when creamed with sugar.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake batter and contributes to a tender crumb.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients and add lift and moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
- Whole milk: Adds moisture and richness.
- Evaporated milk: Concentrated milk that intensifies the tres leches soaking mixture.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Provides sweetness and creaminess essential for tres leches.
- Heavy cream: Makes the milk soak luxuriously rich and velvety.
- Fresh strawberries: Bring bright, juicy freshness that perfectly balances the creamy sweetness.
- Sugar for macerating: Optional, but it draws out the natural strawberry juices for extra flavor.
- Lemon juice: Adds a hint of acidity to brighten the strawberry topping.
- Heavy whipping cream (for topping): Whipped into perfection for a light, airy finish.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream topping.
How to Make Strawberry Matcha Tres Leches Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Cake Batter
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing and flouring a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure your cake won’t stick. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and matcha powder in a bowl—this dry mix is where the green tea magic begins. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy to build a tender crumb, then beat in eggs one at a time for a smooth batter. Add the vanilla for warmth. Alternate folding in the dry ingredients and milk carefully to keep your batter light and airy, essential for soaking up the milks later.
Step 2: Bake and Cool the Cake
Pour your batter into the prepared dish and bake it for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This step is key for a perfectly cooked sponge that absorbs the tres leches mixture without becoming soggy. Let it cool completely before moving on—patience here means a better cake texture.
Step 3: Mix the Tres Leches Milk Soak
Whisk together evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and if you prefer a stronger matcha punch, add an extra tablespoon of matcha powder. Make sure everything is well combined and the matcha powder is dissolved to avoid clumps. This luscious mixture is what transforms your simple cake into a moist, flavorful dessert.
Step 4: Soak the Cake with the Milk Mixture
Once the cake is fully cooled, poke holes across its surface with a fork or skewer. Pour the milk mixture slowly over the cake, allowing it to seep into each hole and saturate the sponge evenly. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate for a few hours to let those gorgeous flavors meld wonderfully and the texture become decadently soft.
Step 5: Prepare the Strawberry and Whipped Cream Toppings
Toss sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice if you like your strawberry topping juicy and zesty. Let them macerate while you whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. This airy whipped cream adds a heavenly lightness that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the soaked cake.
Step 6: Assemble and Decorate Your Cake
Spread the whipped cream evenly over the soaked cake, then lavish it with those sweet, macerated strawberries and a drizzle of their syrup. This not only adds bursts of fruity flavor but also those stunning pops of red against the green-tinged cake. Slice chilled for the ultimate creamy, fruity celebration on your plate.
How to Serve Strawberry Matcha Tres Leches Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh strawberries are a classic, but you can also sprinkle some toasted matcha powder or add mint leaves for a garden-fresh aroma and an elegant touch. These small details elevate the presentation and add complexity to every bite.
Side Dishes
This cake shines on its own as a dessert star, but paired with a light green tea or a simple citrus sorbet, it becomes a balanced, refreshing indulgence that leaves everyone asking for seconds. The subtle bitterness of matcha and sweet strawberries plays wonderfully with these companions.
Creative Ways to Present
Instead of a traditional slice, try serving this cake in individual glass parfaits layered with whipped cream and strawberries for an impressive look. Or use mini mason jars for portable party treats that keep the cake moist and fresh longer. The versatility of the Strawberry Matcha Tres Leches Cake Recipe is truly delightful!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The cake keeps beautifully in the refrigerator, covered tightly to prevent it from absorbing any odors and to keep the whipped cream fresh. It tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together more deeply.
Freezing
For longer preservation, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. While freezing may slightly soften the whipped cream, the cake itself retains its luscious texture and flavor well.
Reheating
This dessert is best served chilled, so reheating is not recommended. If you prefer it less cold, just let slices sit out at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving for a perfect balance of creamy softness and cool freshness.
FAQs
Can I use a different fruit besides strawberries?
Absolutely! Blueberries, raspberries, or even peaches work beautifully with the matcha and tres leches flavors, offering their own unique twists while keeping the cake moist and vibrant.
What if I don’t have matcha powder? Can I skip it?
You can make this cake without matcha, but it’s truly the matcha that gives it that elegant twist and earthy depth. If you skip it, consider adding a bit of vanilla or almond extract to complement the strawberry flavor.
How long does the cake stay fresh?
When refrigerated and properly covered, the cake stays fresh for up to 3 days. After that, the whipped cream and fruit toppings may start to lose their texture.
Is this cake gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as written. However, you can try substituting a gluten-free flour blend, but be aware the texture might vary slightly.
Can I prepare this cake a day ahead?
Definitely! In fact, the cake tastes even better when made a day ahead because the flavors have more time to meld, and the cake becomes incredibly moist and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to impress yourself and your guests with a dessert that’s both playful and sophisticated, you simply must try this Strawberry Matcha Tres Leches Cake Recipe. Every slice brings a delightful blend of creamy, fruity, and aromatic notes that make it unforgettable. Gather your ingredients, get your hands a little messy, and enjoy the delicious journey of baking and sharing this wonderful cake!
Print
Strawberry Matcha Tres Leches Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion (Japanese-Mexican inspired)
Description
This Strawberry Matcha Tres Leches Cake is a delicious and visually stunning dessert that combines the subtle earthiness of matcha with the rich, creamy texture of a classic tres leches cake. Infused with layers of three milks and topped with macerated fresh strawberries and fluffy whipped cream, this cake is perfect for special occasions or any time you crave a refreshing, luscious treat.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Milk Mixture
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder (optional, for stronger matcha flavor)
Strawberry Topping
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/4 cup sugar (optional, for macerating the strawberries)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and matcha powder. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes using a mixer.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Batter: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternating with the whole milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool completely in the baking dish, which is essential for absorbing the milk mixture later.
- Make the Milk Mixture: Whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and matcha powder in a medium bowl, making sure the matcha dissolves fully to avoid clumps.
- Soak the Cake: Once cooled, poke holes all over the cake surface with a fork or skewer. Slowly pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake, allowing it to soak in completely. Let the cake rest for about 30 minutes or refrigerate for a few hours for best absorption.
- Prepare Strawberry Topping: Toss the sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice if using, and let them macerate for 10-15 minutes to release their juices and enhance flavor.
- Make Whipped Cream Topping: Beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a chilled bowl until stiff peaks form, ensuring a light and fluffy topping.
- Assemble the Cake: Spread the whipped cream evenly over the soaked cake. Arrange the macerated strawberries on top and drizzle some strawberry syrup over the whipped cream for extra flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice the cake and serve it chilled. This creamy, fruity, and flavorful dessert is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your matcha and strawberry cravings.
Notes
- For a more intense matcha flavor, use the optional tablespoon of matcha powder in the milk mixture.
- Macerating the strawberries with sugar and lemon juice enhances their natural sweetness and flavor.
- Make sure the cake is completely cool before pouring the milk mixture to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Refrigerate the cake after soaking to allow the milk mixture to fully soak and the flavors to meld.
- Use chilled heavy whipping cream for best results when making the whipped topping.
- This cake is best served within 2 days of preparation to maintain freshness.
