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Coconut Panna Cotta Tres Leches Cake

2023-02-15 - Written by: Emma Taylor

Italian Dessert Cake

Coconut Panna Cotta Tres Leches Cake

A creamy coconut panna cotta filling sandwiched between layers of moist tres leches cake, topped with toasted coconut flakes.

Coconut Panna Cotta Tres Leches Cake

Servings: 8-10 people

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • For the cake:
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 3 large eggs
  • For the panna cotta:
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/2 cup shredded coconut
  • For the tres leches:
    • 1 cup evaporated milk
    • 1 cup condensed milk
    • 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

Preheat and prepare cake pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

Make the cake

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until just combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.

Bake the cake

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Prepare panna cotta

In a small bowl, whisk together heavy cream, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. In a separate large mixing bowl, whip coconut flakes with an electric mixer until they reach a fluffy consistency. Fold whipped coconut into the cream mixture until well combined.

Assemble cake

Once cakes are completely cool, use a serrated knife to level them, if necessary. Place one layer on a serving plate and spread half of the panna cotta on top of the cake layer. Top with second cake layer and finish with remaining panna cotta.

Prepare tres leches

In a small bowl, whisk together evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. Drizzle over assembled cake layers.

Chill and serve

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes.

Note: The above recipe combines elements of Panna Cotta (Italian dessert) and Tres Leches Cake (Latin American dessert).