Banana Bread Tres Leches Cake Recipe (Ultra Moist Milk Dessert)
If banana bread and tres leches cake had a baby, this would be it. This Banana Bread Tres Leches Cake starts with a soft banana cake made from ripe bananas, then gets soaked in a sweet mixture of three milks until unbelievably moist. Finished with homemade whipped cream and fresh banana slices, this dessert is rich, creamy, and impossible to resist.
Perfect for potlucks, birthdays, holidays, or anytime you need a show-stopping dessert.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Super moist and creamy
Perfect use for ripe bananas
Easy make-ahead dessert
Rich tres leches flavor
Crowd-pleasing Southern-inspired treat
Tastes even better the next day
Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients
Banana Cake
3 ripe bananas, mashed
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Tres Leches Mixture
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup whole milk
Whipped Topping
2 cups heavy whipping cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish
Fresh banana slices
Crushed vanilla wafers (optional)
Caramel drizzle (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Bake the Banana Cake
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
In a large bowl whisk together:
Mashed bananas, Melted butter, Sugar, Eggs, and Vanilla.
Add:
Flour, Baking powder, Baking soda, Salt, and Cinnamon.
Mix until just combined.
Pour into prepared pan.
Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Allow cake to cool for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Make the Tres Leches Mixture
In a bowl whisk together:
Evaporated milk, Sweetened condensed milk, and Whole milk.
Set aside.
Step 3: Soak the Cake
Using a fork or skewer, poke holes all over the cake.
Slowly pour the milk mixture over the entire cake.
Allow the cake to absorb the liquid.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Step 4: Make the Whipped Cream
Beat heavy cream until soft peaks form.
Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
Spread evenly over chilled cake.
Step 5: Decorate
Top with:
Banana slices, Crushed vanilla wafers, Caramel drizzle
Serve chilled
Storage
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Because of the milk mixture, this cake must remain refrigerated.
Tips for the Best Banana Bread Tres Leches Cake
Use bananas with plenty of brown spots.
Chill overnight for maximum flavor.
Add a layer of banana pudding between the cake and whipped cream.
Use fresh whipped cream instead of store-bought topping.
Add toasted pecans for crunch
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. In fact, it tastes better after sitting overnight.
Can I freeze it?
The cake itself can be frozen, but wait to add the whipped topping until serving.
What does it taste like?
Imagine moist banana bread, banana pudding, and tres leches cake combined into one decadent dessert
Final Thoughts
This Banana Bread Tres Leches Cake is creamy, rich, and packed with banana flavor in every bite. It's the perfect mashup dessert that feels both comforting and bakery-worthy. 🍌🥛🍰💕