What Makes Tiramisu Different From Tres Leches Cake?

Both creamy and sweet, what is the exact difference between tres leches cake and tiramisu? Tres leches is a popular Latin American cake that has a rich sauce and whipped cream topping. Tiramisu, on the other hand, originated in Italy and is a trifle-like dish of layered sweetened cheese with coffee soaked cookies and cocoa powder. While the two treats may sound slightly similar, their flavor profiles are quite different with tres leches being milky and sweet, while tiramisu is more bold with nutty coffee and rich cocoa.

Tres leches is made with a sponge cake base. This soft and light cake is then poked with a fork and drizzled with a blend of evaporated milk, whole milk, and sweetened condensed milk (try making your own at home). The result is a delightfully fluffy cake that is infused with creamy goodness in every bite without getting soggy. Tiramisu also uses dairy in the form of mascarpone cheese (and sometimes whipped cream) mixed with sugar and eggs. This blend is then layered with coffee-soaked ladyfinger cookies (which occasionally contain a dash of various alcohols) and sprinkled with cocoa powder to create the beloved tiramisu.

The main difference between the two is baking. Tres leches requires the cake to be baked before being chilled with the trio of milks. Tiramisu, on the other hand, can be considered no-bake. It simply requires some mixing and layering (along with a little patience to let it set) to create a delicious treat. 

Tres leches likely originated in Mexico during the 1800s, beginning as a milk-soaked type of bread pudding that eventually evolved with the introduction of canned milk products to the region. Traditionally, tres leches has a sweet, vanilla-like taste. However, you can switch around ingredients to make a delightfully unique dish. Upgrade the cake batter with a little cocoa powder or heady chai spices to completely change the direction of this dessert. You can also switch up the trio of milks to create more flavor. Consider adding chocolate milk to your tres leches or even coconut milk to make wow-worthy cakes.

The toppings for your tres leches can also be customized, although the standard choice is a thick layer of whipped cream that can be dressed up with a dash of optional cinnamon. Try a drizzle of something sweet like salted caramel sauce. A sprinkling of crushed cookies, such as Biscoff or Oreos, can make for a beautiful presentation and add a little crunch. 

While there are competing origin stories, tiramisu can be traced back to a restaurant within the Treviso region of Italy in the 1970s. The original dish was custard-based, but over the years it evolved into the coffee-infused treat we know and love. While totally optional, alcohol is often included in the coffee mixture to create an extra depth of flavor. Sweet Marsala wine is the traditional tipple choice, which adds warm and fruity tones to the dessert. Other options include spiced rum, brandy, or even coffee liquor to amp up the espresso flavor.

Not a huge fan of coffee? There are also tiramisu recipes that totally skip the java. Use a flavorful juice, such as blood orange, in place of the espresso to create a unique twist. You can even turn to the Italian favorite of limoncello to create a tangy and sweet treat. Just remember to swap out powdered sugar instead of cocoa for these fruity variations.

To prevent an overly soggy tiramisu there are a few key factors. First, avoid soaking the lady fingers and instead give them a quick dunk –for no more than one or two seconds — to infuse the flavor. You also want to make sure all the ingredients are cold when preparing tiramisu, including the dunking espresso, for the treat to set correctly. After preparation, allow it to chill in the fridge for at least six hours (or preferably overnight) for all the layers to meld together.