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Coffee and Walnut Tres Leches Cake {gluten-free}

Coffee and Walnut Tres Leches Cake is a spin on the traditional South American Tres Leches Cake which soaks a delicate sponge in condensed milk, evaporated milk and cream. My version is gluten-free made with buckwheat flour and tastes just like a walnut latte in cake-form.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Servings: 16 squares
Calories: 379kcal

Ingredients

  • 100 g buckwheat flour
  • 100 g white rice flour
  • 75 g walnuts toasted then ground
  • 2 tablespoons coffee powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 115 g unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 225 g caster sugar
  • 5 eggs medium
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Tres Leches Soak

  • 200 g evaporated milk
  • 200 g condensed milk
  • 150 ml single cream
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cardamom pod seeds removed and crushed
  • pinch of salt

Whipped Latte Cream:

  • ½ teaspoon coffee powder
  • 300 ml whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon icing sugar

Caramelised Walnuts:

  • 50 g caster sugar
  • 30 g chopped walnuts
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 180°C / 160°C fan assisted oven / gas mark 4 then grease and line an 8 inch square baking tin.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the flours, ground walnuts, coffee powder, baking powder and salt and set aside.
  • In a separate mixing bowl beat the butter and sugar for a few minutes until light and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition then add the vanilla.
  • Fold in the flour mixture and mix in until just combined.
  • Pour the cake batter into the tin then place in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until an inserted cocktail stick comes out clean.
  • Remove the cake from the oven, turn out of the tin and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile prepare the soak by whisking the evaporated milk, condensed milk, cream, cinnamon and cardamom seeds in a saucepan over medium heat until it is just warm. Remove from the heat.
  • Place the cake in a dish with high sides, poke several holes into the cake with a cocktail stick then spoon the glaze over.
  • Cover the dish with cling film then refrigerate overnight.
  • Remove the cake from the fridge to take the chill off whilst you prepare the toppings.
  • Begin with the caramelised walnuts by the placing the walnuts on a baking tray in an oven pre-heated to 180°C / 160°C / gas mark 4 for 5 minutes until toasted. Remove and set aside.
  • In a smallish saucepan pour the caster sugar evenly into one layer and heat over a medium heat. The sugar will slowly melt, beginning at the sides. Carefully shake the saucepan every so often so the sugar melts evenly, do not stir. As soon as all the sugar has melted drop in a pinch of salt.
  • Prepare a baking sheet with baking parchment before pouring the walnuts into the molten sugar and stir in with a silicone spatula. Working quickly make sure all the walnuts are coated in sugar then tip onto the baking parchment, spreading out into an even layer. Leave to cool then chop finely.
  • To make the whipped latte cream, whip the cream for a few minutes with the coffee powder and icing sugar until thick and cloudlike.
  • Finally, carefully remove the cake from its dish, spread the whipped cream over, cut into 16 squares then sprinkle over the caramelised walnuts.

Notes

The eggs used in this recipe are medium size, 60g with shell and 50g without shell. If you can't get hold of medium eggs I suggest you weigh the amount.

Flour substitution

  • I don't recommend swapping the buckwheat flour as it changes the flavour of the cake.
  • You can swap the rice flour for your favourite brand of all-purpose gluten-free flour.

US customary measurements

These US measurements for the ingredients provided are based on a conversion calculator. This recipe was tested with metric measurements and I recommend using a digital scale to weigh ingredients for the most accurate results. READ MORE >>> Why you should always weigh vs measuring with cups 

Nutrition information

Please note that the nutrition information provided below is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients you use. Please seek a professional nutritionist’s advice for further clarification.
The nutrition serving is for 1 slice of cake.

Nutrition

Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 133mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 690IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 0.8mg