COCONUT TRES LECHES CAKE

Definitely don't skip the whipped cream and toasted coconut on the top!

COCONUT TRES LECHES CAKE

INGREDIENTS

CAKE:

·          yellow cake mix

MILK SYRUP:

·          1 can (15 ounces) cream of coconut

·          1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk

·          1 cup heavy whipping cream

·          1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

GARNISHES:

·          2 medium-size ripe bananas

·          Sweetened cream (see instructions below)

·          1 cup sweetened flaked coconut, toasted

INSTRUCTIONS

1.      Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2.      Lightly spray a 9X13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set the baking dish aside. Prepare cake mix according to insturctions. Bake the cake until it is lightly golden and is slightly pulling away from the edges, 30-34 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely, 1 hour.

3.      Meanwhile, make the milk syrup: in a blender, combine the cream of coconut, evaporated milk, cream, and vanilla and process until smooth.

4.      Pierce the cooled cake all over the top with the tines of a fork or a thin wooden skewer. Pour the milk syrup over the cake. Let the syrup soak into the cake, then continue spooning the syrup on top until all of it has been used up. When you have finished, not all of the syrup will be completely absorbed and might be pooling on the top but that’s ok because it will absorb as it refrigerates. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until all of the syrup is absorbed, 2 hours. Cut the bananas, if using crosswise into ¼-inch slices. Slice the cake and serve it with sliced bananas, sweetened cream and toasted coconut, if desired.

5.      For the sweetened cream, pour 1 cup heavy whipping cream into a large (preferably chilled) glass bowl and beat it on high speed until thickened 1 ½ minutes. Stop the machine and add ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Makes 2 cups.