Tres Leches Cake with Dulce De Leche

I've always wanted to throw a big dinner party. Some kids dream of living a rockstar life, concerts every night, and everyone knows their name. 

Me?

I dream of hosting dinner parties for close friends. Of bringing people joy with my food. 

Creating amazing meals to share with others and have a good time.

Simple but classy.

Just call me the next Ina Garten why don't you? Just kidding. 

Anyway, my dream sort of came true this past week. I threw my first dinner party! Only, 3 people were there, but hey, it was fun nonetheless. 

The whole thing was really sort of a goodbye party for one of my very good friends who is going away for bootcamp later this month. I am so proud of her, and i'll miss her so much... But when she gets back we'll just have another dinner party and here all the great stories she has from training!

 I decided to keep the menu simple, roasted chicken with roasted red potatoes, one of the guests brought her famous red beans and rice, and for dessert I made a tres leches cake with dulce de leche! A very good ending to a very good night!

Everything turned out pretty good I must say, and I can't wait to host another party sometime hopefully soon!

I have to give major props to Ree over at the pioneer woman for this amazing tres leches cake recipe. This cake is seriously one of the best cakes you will ever taste. Super moist, creamy, rich and light. It is exactly everything you could ever want in a dessert all in one! Add some toasted toasted pecans on top as well and mmm... Drift away...

The added dulce de leche in between the layers as well was definitely a great addition! I mean, when is more dulce de leche ever a bad thing?!

Tres Leches Cake with Dulce De Leche

(Recipe adapted from the pioneer woman)

Cake

1 cup All-purpose Flour

1-1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder

1/4 teaspoon Salt

5 whole Eggs

1 cup Sugar, Divided

1 teaspoon Vanilla

1/3 cup Milk

1 can Evaporated Milk

1 can Sweetened, Condensed Milk

1/4 cup Heavy Cream

Whipped Cream Frosting

1 cups heavy whipping cream

3 tbls sugar

1 tbls whiskey

As much Dulce De Leche as you like!

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 8" inch pans liberally until coated.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Separate eggs.

Beat egg yolks with 3/4 cup sugar on high speed until yolks are pale yellow. Stir in milk and vanilla. Pour egg yolk mixture over the flour mixture and stir very gently until combined.

Beat egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. With the mixer on, pour in remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until egg whites are stiff but not dry.

Fold egg white mixture into the batter very gently until just combined. Pour into prepared pans and spread to even out the surface.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Turn cake out onto a rimmed platter and allow to cool.

Combine condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream in a small pitcher. 

For the frosting whip the cream on high until it starts getting thick. Add in sugar and whiskey and continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Careful not to overwhip.

To assemble cake place one layer of cake on a cake stand. With a fork pierce the cake ensuring the liquid will soak in easily. Pour half the sweetened condesned milk mixture over the cake, letting it completely soak in. Spread as much dulce de leche as you like over layer, then frost with whip cream. Repeat process with second cake layer and completely frost the whole cake!