A Sweet Treat for Your Sweetheart at Disneyland Resort

This week we’re highlighting the “romantic” side of the Disneyland Resort, from first dates to Disney weddings. I wanted to share a way to create a sweet ending to a romantic meal by providing a Disneyland Resort signature recipe to make at home.

Although anything with flour, sugar and eggs receives high points in my book, the Tres Leches cake is one of my favorites. Not too rich, perfectly sweet – a fantastic ending to a great meal. This cake is served at Rancho del Zocalo, one of my favorite places to dine in Disneyland park. I love the food and I love the atmosphere, especially in the evening with the stars shining above and the sounds of the Mark Twain Riverboat and Frontierland in the distance.

This recipe for Tres Leches Cake originally appeared in the Delicious Disney Desserts cookbook. It can be made a day in advance.

Tres Leches Cake
Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante
Disneyland Resort

1 1/4 cups cake or pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup canola oil
2 cups sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 large eggs
1 1/4 cups whole milk, divided
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon rum (optional)
4 egg whites

1. Preheat oven to 325ºF. Lightly grease 13 X 9 X 2-inch cake pan.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.
3. Combine oil, 1 cup sugar and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs one at a time and mix thoroughly. Stir in 1/2 cup of milk and gently fold in the flour mixture until just combined.
4. Pour batter into cake pan and bake for 30 minutes or until it feels firm and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cake cool to room temperature.
5. Pierce cake with a fork 30 to 40 times. Whisk together remaining 3/4 cup of milk, sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup heavy cream and rum (optional). Slowly pour over cooked cake. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. In a medium glass or stainless steel bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. With mixer running, add 1 cup remaining sugar in a steady stream, beating until stiff peaks form. Spread over top of cake. Broil 1 to 2 minutes until meringue is golden brown. (A scant dusting of powdered sugar will help meringue nicely brown and add crunch.)

Cooks’ note: Rancho de Zocalo at Disneyland Park serves a traditional Mexican version of Tres Leches with a whipped cream topping. To make, combine 3/4 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 tablespoon sugar in a medium bowl. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat mixture until peaks form. Spread over top of cake.

What are your favorite sweet treats at the Disneyland Resort?