You already know how delicious desserts can be, especially those rich in milk and sugar. Tres leches and flan are two classic desserts that fit into this category perfectly. They both belong to the family of creamy, custard-like treats that are popular across Latin America and beyond.

Tres leches and flan are often loved for their smooth textures and their ability to bring a sweet, satisfying end to a meal. While they both feature milk as a key ingredient and have a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth quality, they have their own unique styles and preparation methods that set them apart. 

What is Tres Leches? 

Tres leches is a traditional sponge cake that is soaked in three types of milk—evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. Its name, which translates to “three milks,” reflects this key aspect of its preparation.

After the cake is baked, holes are poked into its surface, and the milk mixture is poured over, allowing the cake to absorb the liquid, becoming incredibly moist and flavorful. The texture is soft but dense, almost like a pudding, yet still retaining its form as a cake.

Often topped with whipped cream and sometimes fresh fruit, tres leches is a light yet indulgent dessert. Its milky richness gives it a comforting and familiar taste, making it a favorite for celebrations and gatherings. 

What is Flan? 

Flan, on the other hand, is a smooth and silky custard with a rich caramel sauce. Made primarily from eggs, milk, and sugar, flan has a velvety texture that sets it apart from cake-based desserts. It is typically cooked in a water bath to help create its smooth texture and is then inverted onto a plate after baking, revealing a layer of golden caramel sauce on top.

The custard is creamy and delicate, with a sweet and slightly bitter flavor from the caramel. Flan’s simplicity and elegance have made it a timeless dessert, served in individual portions or as a large flan to share. Like tres leches, flan is widely enjoyed in Latin America and has found popularity in many other parts of the world as well. 

Difference Between Tres leches and Flan

While tres leches and flan share some common qualities, like their creamy texture and reliance on milk, there are notable differences between them.

Tres leches is a soaked sponge cake, so it retains a light, airy texture despite being drenched in milk. Flan, in contrast, is a custard, meaning it is smooth and has a more uniform, silky feel. Tres leches is typically served in square slices, while flan is round and often served in individual portions, with its caramel sauce giving it an extra layer of flavor. 

Tres leches has a soft, cake-like base, making it feel more like a traditional dessert that you eat with a fork. On the other hand, flan’s custard texture makes it lighter and more delicate, often eaten with a spoon. Tres leches is sweet and rich, with the milk soaking into the cake, while flan is a bit more subtle in flavor, with the caramel adding a slight bitterness to balance the sweetness.