Rose Cardamom Tres Leches Cake
A rich tres leches cake infused with ground cardamom and rose water, soaked in three milks and finished with a creamy ashta topping, pistachios, and dried edible rose petals.
Equipment
- 9 x 13 inch baking pan with high sides
- electric mixer with whisk attachment
- small mixing bowl
- sifter
- small saucepan
- whisk
- Toothpick
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs, separated
- 1.5 cups sugar, granulated
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cardamom, ground
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 12 oz can evaporated milk (354 ml)
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk (396 g)
- 2 cups heavy cream (aka whipping cream)
- 1 tbsp rose water
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 5 tbsp corn starch
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp rose water
- chopped pistachios
- dried edible rose petals
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Grease and flour a 9 x 13 inch baking sheet with high sides.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Reduce speed to low and gradually add sugar with mixer running, beating until stiff peaks form. Make sure that mixer and attachment are thoroughly cleaned and no yolks have gotten into the whites, any fat or grease will prevent the eggs from stiffening.
- Add egg yolks one at a time, making sure to incorporate each one thoroughly. Add vanilla.
- In a small mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cardamom.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with whole milk, beginning and ending with flour. Do this quickly so that batter does not lose its volume.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and place in oven.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
- Whisk together the three milks and rose water until well combined.
- Poke holes all over the cake. Pour one half of the milk mixture all over the cake. Allow it some time to absorb the milks, then pour over the remaining milk and let cool.
- In a small saucepan combine milk, cream, corn starch and sugar and begin heating over medium heat while whisking. Make sure there are no clumps before the mixture starts getting hot.
- Bring to a boil for about a minute while whisking occasionally. The mixture should have a pudding-like consistency at this point. Turn off heat, add rose water.
- Let cool slightly for a minute or two, then pour the mixture over the cake. It should be loose and spread easily. Cover the cake smoothly then let cake sit until cooled. Once at room temperature, move the cake to the fridge. Leave it uncovered in the fridge for a few hours to let the ashta set, then cover and leave for two nights in the fridge, or at least for one night.
- Garnish with chopped pistachios and dried rose petals and serve.
Notes
Make sure the mixer bowl and whisk are completely clean and free of grease before beating the egg whites. Let the cake absorb the milk mixture before adding the remaining milk. After adding the ashta, refrigerate for a few hours uncovered so it can set, then cover and refrigerate for one to two nights before serving.