If you’re craving a rich, creamy, cinnamon-spiced dessert that comes together with minimal effort, you’re in the right place. This post is all about making a delicious biscoff tres leches box cake, using shortcuts that don’t skimp on flavor. From the warm spice of cookie butter to the luscious soak of three milks, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to master this indulgent fusion of Mexican tradition and modern convenience.
From Our Multigenerational Kitchen to Yours: Biscoff Tres Leches Love
When I first served this biscoff tres leches box cake to my family, it was a Sunday afternoon like any other—until it wasn’t. Grandma, usually the first to critique anything store-bought, went quiet after her first bite. Then she smiled, really smiled, and said, “Está rico, mija.” I could’ve cried.
That moment sealed it. This recipe became a fast favorite in our kitchen—something that bridges tradition and today. I grew up watching Grandma soak airy cakes in a trio of milks, sometimes even flavoring the leche mix with cinnamon or instant coffee. Now, I’ve adapted that cherished tradition into something easier for busy women like me: a boxed cake mix turned magic with a swirl of cookie butter and that velvety soak.
This cake is perfect for celebrations, potlucks, or those nights when you just need a little comfort with your coffee. And honestly, who doesn’t need more desserts that taste like hugs?
Why Biscoff and Tres Leches Were Meant to Be Together
Tres leches is already a dreamy dessert—soft, spongy, soaked in three types of milk until it’s perfectly moist but never soggy. But adding biscoff cookie butter? That’s a game-changer. The caramelized, slightly spiced flavor of biscoff deepens every bite, making the familiar even more irresistible.
You don’t need to be a trained baker to make this. You just need a box of cake mix, a few pantry staples, and a love of flavor. And if you’re a fan of Mexican-inspired desserts, you’ll definitely want to check out my easy margarita tres leches cake too—it’s another fun twist on the classic.
What You’ll Need to Make Biscoff Tres Leches Box Cake
This recipe takes a shortcut with boxed cake mix but layers on flavor with thoughtful upgrades. Here’s everything you need:
- 1 box white or yellow cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as directed)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional, but adds warmth)
- 1/2 cup Biscoff cookie butter, melted slightly
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup crushed Biscoff cookies (for topping)
- 2 cups whipped topping or homemade whipped cream
You can find most of these in any grocery store, and if you’re already a fan of Latin desserts like Mexican sopapilla cheesecake, you probably have condensed milk stocked already.
Ingredient Tips and Customization Ideas
- Cake Mix Choice: White cake creates a lighter canvas for the soak, but yellow adds richness. You can’t go wrong either way.
- Cookie Butter: Microwave it for about 20 seconds to make it pourable—it will blend more easily into the batter or drizzle beautifully on top.
- Milk Mix: If you prefer a slightly less sweet version, replace half the condensed milk with more evaporated milk.
- Dairy-Free Tip: Use oat milk and coconut cream to make it dairy-free while keeping it luscious.
- Texture Boost: Add crushed cookies between the cake layers or on top for crunch.
This combo of pantry staples and flavorful upgrades is what makes this biscoff tres leches box cake such a favorite in our house. And yes, my daughter insists on adding extra whipped cream every time.
How to Make Biscoff Tres Leches Box Cake
Step-by-Step: Turning Cake Mix into a Tres Leches Masterpiece
Here’s how to make this biscoff tres leches box cake come to life in your kitchen. The process is straightforward, and you don’t need fancy equipment—just a whisk, a baking pan, and a hungry crew.
1. Bake the Cake
Prepare the boxed cake mix according to the instructions on the box, but add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and half of your melted Biscoff cookie butter to the batter. This little twist infuses that unmistakable cookie flavor right into the cake.
Pour into a 9×13-inch pan and bake as directed. Once baked, let it cool completely in the pan.
2. Poke and Soak
Use the back of a wooden spoon or a fork to poke holes all over the cooled cake. This is what allows the tres leches mixture to seep in.
Whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and vanilla extract. Slowly pour this mixture evenly over the entire cake. Don’t rush—give the cake time to absorb all that goodness.
3. Chill and Set
Cover the pan and place it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. The longer it chills, the more deliciously moist the cake becomes—without ever turning soggy.
If you’ve ever made easy mini chocoflan before, you know the magic that happens when desserts get time to set.
4. Top and Finish
Spread whipped topping over the chilled cake. Drizzle with the remaining Biscoff cookie butter and sprinkle crushed Biscoff cookies over the top for texture and eye appeal.
Slice and serve straight from the pan. Every bite is creamy, spiced, and completely unforgettable.
Serving, Variations, and Storing Biscoff Tres Leches Box Cake
How to Serve It (and Impress Everyone)
This biscoff tres leches box cake is meant to be served chilled straight from the fridge. For best results, use a clean knife to slice and wipe between cuts for those photo-worthy squares.
Want to make it extra special? Add a dusting of cinnamon, a small dollop of cookie butter on each slice, or serve it alongside a café de olla or your favorite spiced tea. At family gatherings, it disappears faster than Mexican sweet empanadas.
If you’re hosting a crowd, serve it in cupcake liners or clear dessert cups for a party-ready presentation with minimal cleanup.
Flavor Twists and Storage Tips
- Chocolate Biscoff Twist: Add cocoa powder to the cake mix or top the whipped cream layer with chocolate shavings.
- Fruit Layer: Thinly sliced bananas or strawberries between the soak and whipped topping add contrast and color.
- Make Ahead: This cake can be made 1–2 days in advance. In fact, it gets better with time.
To store, cover the pan tightly with foil or a lid and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. Avoid freezing, as the milk mixture can separate.
Leftovers? Good luck having any. But if you do, they’re even more flavorful the next day—trust me, I sneak bites with coffee after everyone’s asleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biscoff tres leches?
Biscoff tres leches is a variation of traditional tres leches cake that incorporates Biscoff cookie butter and crushed Biscoff cookies into the batter, soak, or topping. The result is a rich, spiced twist on the classic, with caramel-like flavor and cinnamon warmth.
Can you add biscoff to cake batter?
Yes, absolutely. Adding melted Biscoff cookie butter to the cake batter enhances the flavor and infuses it throughout the sponge. It’s especially effective when using boxed cake mix, as it boosts flavor without altering the texture.
Why is tres leches not soggy?
A properly made tres leches cake uses a sponge-like cake that absorbs the milk mixture evenly without collapsing. Chilling the cake allows it to soak while holding its structure, giving you moist but not soggy bites.
Does Costco sell a tres leches cake?
Yes, Costco often carries a pre-made tres leches cake in the bakery section. It’s large, crowd-friendly, and topped with whipped cream and fruit—but it doesn’t have the Biscoff twist you’ll find in homemade versions like this one.
Biscoff Tres Leches Box Cake – Easy & Delicious Shortcut Dessert
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and luscious biscoff tres leches cake made with boxed cake mix and a trio of milks for rich, spiced flavor everyone will love.
Ingredients
1 box white or yellow cake mix (plus ingredients on box)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup melted Biscoff cookie butter
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups whipped topping
1/2 cup crushed Biscoff cookies
Instructions
1. Prepare cake mix as directed, adding cinnamon and half the melted cookie butter.
2. Bake in a 9×13″ pan and let cool completely.
3. Poke holes all over cooled cake with spoon handle.
4. Whisk together milks and vanilla; pour evenly over cake.
5. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or overnight.
6. Spread whipped topping, drizzle cookie butter, sprinkle cookie crumbs.
7. Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
Chilling overnight yields the best flavor and texture.
Add strawberries or bananas for a fruity twist.
Use dairy-free milks and whipped coconut cream to make it dairy-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Conclusion
This biscoff tres leches box cake is a shortcut dessert that never feels like one. It’s rich, nostalgic, and just fancy enough to feel like something you’d order at a café—yet easy enough for a weeknight treat.
Whether you’re making it for family, friends, or just because you deserve dessert, this cake brings joy to every bite. It’s become one of our family’s most requested treats, right alongside mini chocoflan and churro waffles.