I see Tres Leches and other luscious Cuban desserts right next to the Cuban coffee station at our Publix every week. Aleyda is always ready with her contagious Cuban smile. “Hola! Come estas? Quieres un cafecito?” Aleyda asks me, “ Would you like a Cuban coffee?” I always want a Cuban coffee! I quickly walk by to start my shopping. I dare not glance down for more than a 1/2 a second at that dreamy dessert just beckoning me to buy it and sink my teeth into its creamy cake.
Cake is a universal symbol of celebration, shared at birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, religious holidays, family get-togethers, and the honoring of achievements of all sorts. A World of Cake celebrates international cake-making traditions, with 150 recipes for a diverse range of cakes enjoyed around the world. Beautiful photographs and fascinating sidebars accompany the recipes, making this book a rich reading tour of the world’s cakes and the people who enjoy them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Krystina Castella is a professional designer: her design company produced furniture, toys, stationery, and housewares for stores such as Urban Outfitters, Crate and Barrel, Papyrus, and Target. She is a currently a professor at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. She is the author of Crazy About Cookies, Crazy About Cupcakes, Booze Cakes, Pops!, and Discovering Nature’s Alphabet, and she has been published in Craft magazine. Krystina lives in southern California. 
The infamous Tres Leches! Here’s the lineup: evaporated milk, whole milk, sweetened condensed milk.
Tres Leches Cake
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
7 eggs, at room temperature
1 12/ teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
Tres Leches Topping
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup evaporated milk
Makes 1 cake (serves 6-8) or approx. 16 cupcakes
To Prepare
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter and flour a 12-inch round cake pan or your muffin pans.
To Make the Cake
Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with a mixer until fluffy.
In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with a mixer until fluffy.
 "DSCN6426")
Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
 "DSCN6427")
Stir in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternation with the sour cream, and mix until blended.
Stir in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternation with the sour cream, and mix until blended.
 "DSCN6429")
To Bake
Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan.
To make the Tres Leches Topping
Stir together the milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. when the cake is cool, remove from the pan and transfer to an ovenproof serving tray. Pierce the cake all over with a fork.
Spoon the milk mixture over the cake and let soak for 5 minutes. (I let mine soak for about 15-20 minutes). I brushed it on my cupcakes with a pastry brush. I didn’t use all the tres leches mixture on the cupcakes.
Spoon the milk mixture over the cake and let soak for 5 minutes. (I let mine soak for about 15-20 minutes). I brushed it on my cupcakes with a pastry brush. I didn’t use all the tres leches mixture on the cupcakes.
 "DSCN6432")
Whipped Cream
Whip one pint of whipped cream until soft peaks form. Don’t overbeat it because you will then have butter:)Add two tablespoons of powdered sugar and combine for about 1 more minute.
For Cake or Cupcakes:
Pipe or spoon on the whipped topping. Don’t forget the cherry on top!
The GIVEAWAY!
BONUS ENTRIES: Each entry comment counts as a SEPARATE entry in the giveaway! To enter giveaways:
1. Go to Facebook and “Like” A World Of Cake here: http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/A-world-of-cake/151771568178342
2.Go to Facebook and “Like” Storey Publishing here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Storey-Publishing/78540658563
3. Follow @StoreyPub on Twitter.
4. You can follow @cakeduchess on twitter
5. Go to Facebook, LIKE Cake Duchess’ here on Facebook.
6. Leave a comment on this post!
7. If you RT or post on your Facebook page this giveaway post link, you get an additional entry. Please drop me an additional comment on this post saying that you did so.
8. Become a “follower” of Cake Duchess’ blog.
9. Sign up for our RSS Feed/Email Subscription
10. Drawing will be done randomly from all comments recorded by Saturday, March 5 by 11 PM .
11. This giveaway is only open to readers in the US. I apologize to my international friends.
That’s NINE chances to win! The more entries you make, the better your chances are to WIN! Again, you MUST leave a separate comment for each entry to count : )
Thank you for checking in to see my Tres Leches Cupcakes and this FABULOUS giveaway for A World of Cake!
Cake Duchess is where you can follow the baking adventures of me! Hi! I'm Lora, a mom of two cuties in South Florida. I got into all this baking mess because of them. 
{ 114 comments… read them below or add one }
This is my daughter’s favorite cake. I love the idea of making it into cupcakes! And, of course, yours are absolutely beautiful! Thanks for the super idea~
How wonderful Lora. Great giveaway as usual and delicious lookis tres leches cupcakes!!
I loved reading every word of this post. Have to make this cake ….
And I’d love to own this wonderful book! Thanks for the entry!
I liked A world of cake on facebook (Rust Hawk).
I liked Storey Publishing on facebook (Rust Hawk).
That cake looks insane! Love tres leches.
Following @cakeduchess on twitter on twitter @rusthawk.
Following @StoreyPub on Twitter @rusthawk.
I am following on GFC (rusthawk).
I am following you on facebook (Rust Hawk).
Shared on my facebook wall http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=197942580225190&id=100001156831237
Look so delicious! I like the cherry on top of the cupcake, so gorgeous!
This cupcake looks fabulous! And A World of Cake sounds like an awesome book!!
I love this! I want this cake in my belly!!!! ♥ – Katrina
I’m following your blog!
What a lovely looking cupcake, bet it tastes wonderful as well. The book looks awesome. Would be a great addition to my collection, my waistline…not so much!
I retweeted about this giveaway.
I have never seen a more gorgeous cupcake!
I am still in shock what you wrote before..so let me just say your cupcakes are so pretty and looks extremely delicious!
Wow these cupcakes look amazing! A World of Cake looks like such a wonderful cookbook too!
This cupcake sounds rich and delicious, love it. Fantastic step-by-step directions too. Eat a couple of these for me tonight.
I love Tres Leches cake!!
I’m a follower of the blog
Follow on twitter @godawgs428
Like on Facebook!
I have seen Alton Brown make this before, but his didn’t look this amazing!! I love the cherry on top of the cupcakes!! A great looking cake, and I will get my calcium from it as well!!
I follow you on twitter
These cupcakes look awesome. And as someone who loves making desserts, that cook book was so made for me. Hope I win. ;-D
I also liked you on facebook. Yay!
And finally I retweeted this post.
oh wow!
This looks amazing! 
Since I just one the LAST cookbook giveaway, I feel bad entering this one. . . so I’m just commenting to say OH MY GOSH THAT LOOKS AMAZING! and that is all! 
I like A World of Cake on FB!
(SMorton)
I like Storey Publishing on FB
(SMorton)
I follow @StoreyPub on twitter
(thisenvy)
I follow you on twitter!
(thisenvy)
I like you on Facebook
(SMorton)
My comment for this post: I never thought about how tres leches means 3 milks. ROFL @ me
wow what a great cake and the pic of your son says it all
I publicly follow your blog!
I also follow your feed!
(btw that “comment for this post” was a half-joke, I commented on the FB one too lol)
I can’t think of a better kind of cupcake. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to stop at just one.
I tweeted this:
The Daily Palette
Don’t miss out on this! RT @cakeduchess Cake Duchess: Tres Leches Cupcakes and A World of Cake Giveaway! http://bit.ly/goJ6Gp
The cake looks amazing but I really just want to eat a whole bowl of the topping. Gorgeous post!
I liked A World Of Cake on Facebook.
I am following @cakeduchess on twitter.
I liked you on Facebook.
Even though I do not like maraschino cherries myself, I would still put one on top because it completes the cake. I have this book on my wishlist.
I am following you on Google Connect.
Hi lovely lady. This is perfect. I have all the ingredients for these cupcakes in my pantry! I’ve wanted to try a Tres Leches cake for awhile so I’ve stockpiled
Thanks for sharing your cake and this giveaway! Love you!
I am following @StoreyPub on twitter.
I’m following StoryPub on twitter @gringarl
i’m following you on twitter @gringarl
I like you on facebook
the cupcake looks stunning. love the sexy maraschino cherry on top
follow you on Google friend connect
RT your giveaway
Lora….your cupcakes looks great…love your photography too and thank you for the recipe. I would to have that book
Have a nice day,
Elin
those cupcakes look amazing and that book looks wonderful! I always can use new cookbooks to add to my collection
following you!
tweeted it
I’ve actually never had Tres Leches cake, but this post really made me want to go out and make it! Yours looks absolutely beautiful!
Tres Leches cake is very popular here at our house. I drizzle caramel over the top as well for extra decadence. I know the cupcake version would be a big hit too!
Great giveaway Lora! i’m such a collector of cookbooks and would love to have this to add to my library!! i’ve been lucky enough to have enjoyed tres leches cake although i think it was a tiny bit different; made me chuckle to see your little guy looking very intent on having another piece of that cake!
already a fan of yours on fb!
My neighbors talk about Tres Leches Cake a lot. Their toddlers birthday is coming up and I am so excited that it is tradition for them to have this cake at birthday parties. I can’t wait to try it! Your cupcake with the cherry looks so simple but utterly delicious! I LIKE A World of Cake on Facebook!
I LIKE Storey Publishing on Facebook!
I already LIKE you on Facebook… and everywhere else! Haha!
Thanks for sharing looks delish! and that book looks awesome!
Looks like I combined entry #1 and #6 on my first entry for the giveaway. Here’s to make up for it.
I posted about this giveaway on my Facebook page!
I am already a FOLLOWER of your blog and absolutely love it. I especially love it when you post photos from your childhood and anything with an Italian backdrop sigh!
I am signed up for emails as well!
I love making cake with my girls but we always have tres leches at a friends house. I guess it is time for us to make it at home. I’m already a follower and I’m tweeting it!
Tres Leches is one of my absolute favorites! Love your cupcakes!
Fun giveaway and gorgeous-looking cupcakes!
Yum, this looks delicious! I’ve never had tres leches but now you have me curious and wanting some!! Thanks for the giveaway.
)
I went to Facebook and “Liked” A World of Cake.
I have never ever had Tres Leches cake, cupcake or anything but the cake looks so moist and fluffy and the frosting so light and creamy I need to try this.
I hope you know I mean it when I say THANKS for sharing this with us.
Love,
Dionne
I “liked” Storey Publishing.
I hope you are feeling better and you are having a very good week.
I’m already your Twitter friend! I hope you enjoyed your massage and yes you do deserve it.
I like you on Facebook areddy. I get a sneak peek on your beautiful photos right before I click to see your post…
You are on my Firefox RSS bar thingy…I’m not sure what it’s called but I know how to use it lol.
Now I need to plan when I can make this cake…
Oh I just want to kiss your face for this recipe! My family LOVES tres leches, and loves CUPCAKES even more. Thanks darlin, for helping make their weekend!
Your cake and cupcakes look perfect! I LOVE Tres Leches cake and would love to taste yours!! Luca is just too cute staring at the cake. I think he secretly wanted to take the whole cake into the corner and eat it by myself. haha
Don’t include me in the giveaway, I just wanted to comment.
Since I don’t bake much, you don’t have to include me in the giveaway. There are others that would have much more use for a resource like that book.
I just wanted to say that those cupcakes and the cake look amazing. I’ve seen tres leches cakes before but never tried them. Now I think I need to. Thanks for the extra push with this recipe.
Oh my! These look too good to be true! My kind of cupcake!
I am jealous that your Publix serves you Cuban coffee…The cupcakes looks delish!
Gorgeous cupcakes and cake, Lora. And the book seems like a must-read, I would have a hard time not salivating all over it!
I love tres leches – such a great idea to make it as a cupcake. Looks delcious!
Moist and delicious! mmmmmmm……mmmmm.m.m.mmmmmmmmm
I love the book, what a great giveaway! Tres leches is one of those old favorites that stands the test of time, so moist and delicious.
I’ve heard lots about Tres Leche, but have yet to try it. You’ve described it very well.
so jealous about the book and about these cupcakes. I always love tres leches cakes so I can imagine the sweetness and softness of these cupcakes. heaven!
Love the idea of making this cake into cupcakes–so delectable. Thanks for the fun giveaway.
Of course, I follow you on Twitter. @cspod
And I follow/liked you on FB.
Oh goodness, no wonder why your little one loved this cake….it looks divine!
I have never had tres leches cake. I have always wanted to try it. I love that you made it into cupcakes. They look delicious.
What a wonderful cookbook. Unfortunately, I am not on Facebook yet. I know…hard to believe.
“Like” A World Of Cake
“Like” Storey Publishing
following @storeypub
follow @cakeduchess on twitter
Oh. My. God. I am sooo making these!!
Those look delectable! I can tel just by looking at them how moist the cake must be. What a great book, too!
This Tres Leches cake looks wonderful, especially with the cherry on top!
I follow your blog.
I “liked” you on facebook.
I “liked” A World of Cake on facebook.
I follow you.
Love the idea of an international cake book!
I love the idea of a cookbook with background and origins of the cakes. I do monthly cooking nights themed by country and sometimes regions of countries. This would be handy. If I don’t win, I’m going to see if our library has it or check my local bookstore.
Also, I made an attempt at a chocolate tres leches cake a few years ago that failed. It wouldn’t absorb the milks mixture. I was using an odd recipe but seeing someone else’s success makes me think I should try it again. Thanks for that encouragement.
Your Tres Leches cake looks amazing, Lora! The book does too!
I follow your blog, Lora, with GFC.
Ive never had a tres Leches cupcake or cake but omg, have to try. It looks so soft and moist.
Stinks that I missed the giveaway!! Oh well, I still had to tell you this looks great!
They look so good! I’ve always wanted to try tres leches cake, but I get afraid it’ll disappear in 10 minutes like yours did, only I’ll do the damage alone! I’ve never seen it in cupcake form… too cute.