Looking for something sweet, heartfelt, and easy to make? These Mini Valentine’s Tres Leches Cakes are a festive spin on the classic Mexican dessert we all love. Each little cake is soaked in a creamy three-milk mixture and topped with soft pink whipped cream and heart-shaped sprinkles. Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or treating yourself, these mini cakes are a sweet way to say “te quiero.” The homemade flavor is rich, comforting, and totally irresistible.
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Mini Valentine’s Tres Leches Cakes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 mini cakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked and chilled
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
These Mini Valentine’s Tres Leches Cakes are a festive, heart-shaped twist on the beloved Mexican dessert. Soft funfetti cakes soaked in three milks and topped with pink whipped cream — a sweet way to show love.
Ingredients
Funfetti Cake Base:
1½ cups funfetti cake mix
½ cup milk (whole or 2%)
¼ cup neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
2 large eggs, room temperature
Tres Leches Soak:
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Pink Whipped Cream Topping:
1 cup heavy whipping cream, very cold
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 drop pink food coloring
Decorative Finish:
Heart-shaped sprinkles
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease mini heart-shaped pans or muffin tins.
2. Combine cake mix, milk, oil, and eggs. Mix until smooth and streak-free.
3. Fill pans ¾ full. Bake 15–18 min until tops are springy and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 min in pan, then transfer to wire rack.
4. Whisk evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and 1 cup heavy cream until smooth.
5. Poke holes in cooled cakes with a fork/skewer. Slowly spoon or pour milk mixture over cakes, letting them absorb it gradually. Chill 30–60 min.
6. Beat cold cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and pink food coloring until soft peaks form.
7. Dollop or pipe whipped cream onto each cake. Sprinkle with heart-shaped sprinkles. Serve chilled.
Notes
💡 Let cakes cool completely before soaking to avoid sogginess.
🧁 Make ahead tip: Bake and soak cakes up to 1 day in advance. Top with whipped cream before serving.
🎨 No piping bag? Use a spoon or Ziploc bag with a snipped corner.
🍓 Fun variations: Add sliced strawberries or use chocolate cake with espresso in the soak.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cake
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Why You’ll Love This Mexican Recipe
- Sweet, creamy, and perfectly moist — just like traditional tres leches cake
- Mini size makes them perfect for gifting or portioned treats
- Easy to make ahead — soak one day, decorate the next
- Festive and fun for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or just because
Ingredients
Funfetti Cake Base
- 1½ cups funfetti cake mix
- ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)
- ¼ cup neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
Tres Leches Soak
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Pink Whipped Cream Topping
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, very cold
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 drop pink food coloring
Decorative Finish
- Heart-shaped sprinkles
No funfetti mix? Use vanilla cake mix + 2 tbsp rainbow sprinkles.
How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
- Preheat Oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease mini heart-shaped pans or muffin tins.
- Make the Batter: In a bowl, combine cake mix, milk, oil, and eggs. Mix until smooth.
- Bake: Fill each pan cavity about ¾ full. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until the tops are springy and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool: Let cakes cool 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Mix Tres Leches Soak: Whisk evaporated milk, condensed milk, and cream in a bowl.
- Soak the Cakes: Poke holes in the cooled cakes with a fork. Slowly spoon the milk mixture over each cake. Chill for 30–60 minutes.
- Make Pink Whipped Cream: Beat cold cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and pink coloring until soft peaks form.
- Decorate: Pipe or spoon whipped cream on top. Add heart-shaped sprinkles. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Helpful Tips
Let them soak: Don’t rush the chill time — it helps the milk absorb fully without making the cakes soggy.
No piping bag? Use a spoon or a snipped corner of a Ziploc bag to dollop whipped cream.
Make ahead: You can bake and soak the cakes a day in advance. Add whipped cream just before serving.
Flavor twist: Add a touch of almond extract to the whipped cream for a subtle, nutty note.
FAQs
Can I use regular cake mix instead of funfetti?
Yes! Use vanilla cake mix and stir in a few tablespoons of rainbow sprinkles for the same look and taste.
How long do these last in the fridge?
They’ll keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Wait to add whipped cream until just before serving.
Can I make them dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use coconut milk, vegan condensed milk, and coconut whipped topping for a delicious dairy-free version.
What to Serve With It
These mini tres leches cakes pair beautifully with a hot cup of Mexican coffee, cinnamon tea, or even a splash of horchata for a truly comforting finish to your meal. Add a few fresh berries on the side for a pop of color and freshness.
These Mini Valentine’s Tres Leches Cakes are proof that something simple can still feel special. They’re sweet, festive, and full of the homemade flavor we all crave. Whip up a batch and share the love — one little cake at a time.