WE COOK! Welcome New Contributor, Chow Fun Food Group. Tres Leches Cake – from Xaco Taco

Chow Fun Food Group owns and operates the most critically acclaimed restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island: Ten Steak & Sushi, Xaco Taco, Harry’s Bar & Burger, OZ Tacos & Tequila and the newest addition to the group, Ten Prime Seafood.

Guests can expect the unexpected when they dine at their restaurants. From the heart and soul that goes into their food to the innovative cocktails being poured Chow Fun Food Group offers something for every palate.

RINewsToday is pleased to welcome them to “We Cook!” a weekly feature on Thursdays of recipes and food prep tips from some of the finest chefs!

For their very first – we offer, from Xaco Taco, Executive Chef, Andy Pyle, Tre Leches Cake!  Gracias!

Tres Leches Cake

1 cup cake flour

1.5 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. kosher salt

5 large eggs, separated (yolks and whites)

1 cup granulated sugar (divided)

1/3 cup whole milk

1 tsp. Mexican vanilla extract

Tres Leches Milk Soak

1 can evaporated milk

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup whole milk

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9 by 13 baking pan with non stick cooking spray.  Line pan with one sheet of parchment paper and spray paper to avoid sticking.

In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt.

Add ¾ cup granulated sugar (reserving the other ¼ cup) to the bowl of a stand mixer with the egg yolks and mix on high speed until pale yellow in color.  Add the whole milk and vanilla and mix to combine.

Pour the egg yolk mixture over the flour mixture and stir gently with a rubber spatula until combined (don’t over mix)

Use stand mixer to beat the egg whites on high speed, gradually add the remaining ¼ cup sugar and continue to mix until stiff peaks form.

Fold egg white mixture into the batter in 2 or 3 additions stirring gently until combined.  Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth out into an even layer.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.  Remove from the oven and allow cake to cool completely.

Once the cake is cool, poke holes all over the surface of the cake so it can absorb the tres leches milk liquid.  A bamboo skewer works great!

Slowly pour the milk mixture over the top of the cake, making sure to pour over the entire cake and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight, to allow the cake to soak up the milk.

To serve, top with whipped cream and fresh berries.

Yields: 1 cake (12 pieces)

About Xaco Taco