Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “fifth of May”) is a festive occasion celebrated mainly in the United States and Puebla, Mexico, to commemorate the surprising victory won by the Mexican army over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The freedom and democracy that resulted from this incident during the American Civil War is today a source of great pride in the Mexican-American heritage.
Most people celebrate this holiday with their favorite Mexican foods, including enchiladas, guacamole, nachos, tacos, and of course, margaritas. But the sweetest ending to such a feast comes in the form of a favorite Mexican dessert: tres leches cake (Spanish for “three milks cake”).
The origin of this cake, which is basically a sponge or butter cake soaked in three kinds of milk (evaporated, condensed, and whole), is not entirely clear. But the idea of soaking a cake in liquids is certainly not new. The British have their rum cake. The Italians have their tiramisu. And the Mexicans have their delicious tres leches cake.
Be sure to try the following recipe for this simple-yet-decadent cake as the perfect ending to your Cinco de Mayo party. ¡Olé!