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Tres Leches Cupcakes with Coconut Recipe
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Tres Leches Cupcakes

These Tres Leches Cupcakes are a clever take on the popular dessert of the same name which originated in Mexico.
Course Cupcakes
Cuisine Mexican/Tex-Mex
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 18
Calories 462kcal
Author Michelle Ordever

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

For the Milk Topping

  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream double cream
  • ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
  • ½ cup evaporated milk

For the Coconut Topping

  • 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cups sweetened shredded coconut

For the Vanilla Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • cup powdered sugar icing sugar
  • 4 Tbsp heavy whipping cream double cream
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar

  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Place 18 cupcake liners in cupcake pans and set them aside.
  • Using an electric handheld or standing mixer, beat the cake mix, eggs, butter, whole milk, and cinnamon until combined.
  • Use an ice cream scoop to fill the cupcake liners about three-quarters full.
  • Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  • Meanwhile, to make the milk topping, whisk the cream, condensed milk, and evaporated milk together in a medium bowl until combined. Set it aside.
  • Remove the cupcakes from the oven, and leave them to cool for 5 minutes.
  • Use a bamboo skewer or a toothpick to poke holes randomly on the top of the cupcakes.
  • Spoon the milk mixture onto the top of each cupcake (about 2 tablespoons per cupcake).
  • Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.


    Baked Tres Leches Cupcakes
  • To toast the coconut, place the butter into a frying pan over medium heat and add the coconut. Stir to toast the coconut and ensure it doesn't burn.
  • Once the coconut has evenly lightly browned, remove and place onto a plate to allow to cool
    completely before using.
  • To make the frosting, use an electric handheld or standing mixer to beat the butter, powdered sugar, cream, ground cinnamon, and vanilla until combined, smooth and holds a peak. This will take approximately 5-7 minutes.
  • Scoop the frosting into the piping bag fitted with an open star tip.
  • To make the cinnamon sugar, whisk the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, and set it aside.
  • Pipe a thick ring of frosting around the edge of the cupcake.


    Frosting Tres Leches Cupcake
  • Coat the frosting in the toasted coconut.


    Shredded Coconut on Frosting
  • Pipe a swirl of frosting on top of the toasted coconut layer.


    Swirl of Frosting on Coconut Layer
  • Sprinkle with some of the cinnamon sugar and enjoy!

    Tres Leches Cupcakes with Coconut Recipe

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 462kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 293mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 42g