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The Pancake Princess

The Pancake Princess

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Pancake Fridays: Tres Leches Pancakes

by erika 48 Comments

The pancakes have been taste-tested and taste-tested. And taste-tested.

And every time, the immediate response is: “Well…these don’t really taste like tres leches…”

Immediately followed by, “…but they’re delicious/tasty/really good!” So I figured they were good enough to share, even if the title post should really be “Tres Leches-inspired Pancakes.”

Here’s the story behind why (or at least one reason why) these don’t taste exactly like tres leches:

When my sister went to Costa Rica on some eco-saving trip a few summers ago, she came back and immediately bought a sack of masa harina, or corn flour, to try to recreate the arepas she’d eaten. She was disappointed with her final result–dense and cakey pucks of banana-scented, lightly fried corn cakes that she said weren’t close to the tasty arepas she could eat “all day” in Costa Rica.

Ever since then, that sack of masa harina has been abandoned in our kitchen cabinet, except for one time we dragged it out to try making homemade tortillas. When my sister came back to Houston for the start of the school year, I asked her to bring the sack if she had room in her suitcase since I knew no one would use it at home.

So guys, I had to use it. It came all the way from California (even though you can buy this in virtually every supermarket ever). Approximately 99% of the tres leches cake recipes I looked up called for all-purpose flour, but let’s be real: I have an obsession with all things corn and I had an itch to use the masa harina.

So I did. And you know what? I think the corn flour gives these an unusual, distinct flavor. It’s what I think tres leches should be. Isn’t corn flour so much more Latin than regular flour?). They’re denser and heartier than other pancakes, almost reminiscent of really, really thick tortillas. And then they’re topped with a syrupy mixture of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and (in my case) almond milk.

Sweetened condensed milk is so good it shouldn’t be allowed. Combined with just enough other milk that you don’t feel like you’re eating pure sugar and drizzled over pancakes? I can almost promise you won’t care what’s underneath.

Notes

Some tasters commented that the pancakes weren’t as sweet as they wanted. I liked these pancakes on the plainer side since the topping was so decadent, but add 2 tablespoons of sugar if you want a sweeter pancake.

Although you generally want lumpy batter when making pancakes for a fluffier texture, don’t fret when your batter stirs up into an extremely smooth texture. These pancakes are naturally tighter-crumbed due to the masa harina, but they’re still fluffy.

The best part about making these pancakes is that you get to stab them with a fork! All over! It helps the milk permeate every last corner of the pancake for maximum soaked-ness.

For the sake of having three milks, I added a drip of unsweetened Almond milk to the condensed milk and evaporated milk mixture. When I tried an equal ratio of all three milks, the pancakes sogged through substantially compared to just the condensed and evaporated milk mixture. I preferred the sturdier pancakes with the two-milk soak, but tasters commented that the pancakes didn’t have the same soaked-through, fall-apart-in-your-mouth consistency as the cake traditionally does. So I would recommend using a tiny bit of milk (as noted below) of your choice. I left out the heavy cream (traditionally the third milk) because I figured that’s just overkill, but you can add that instead of the milk if you like.

Tres Leches Pancakes
A PanPrin original

1 1/2 cups masa harina
1 tablespoon + scant 1 tsp baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup milk of your choice (I used almond milk)
4 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons butter, melted

3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup evaporated milk (can use low fat)
2 tablespoons milk of your choice (I used almond milk)

Combine masa harina, baking powder, salt and sugar. Whisk together milk, egg yolks, vanilla and melted butter. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the milk mixture; mix until just combined. Gently stir in egg whites until batter is smooth (a few streaks of egg white is fine).

Preheat a lightly oiled pan over medium heat for five minutes while batter rests.  Add batter to pan two or three tablespoons at a time and let cook about two minutes on each side, until golden.

While pancakes are cooking, whisk together the condensed, evaporated and regular milk. Once cooked, stab the top surface with a fork, making sure you cover the edges as well as the middle. Drizzle each pancake with 1-2 tablespoons of the milk mixture until fully saturated. Serve immediately.

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  1. Bam's Kitchen

    October 31, 2012 at 9:03 am

    Pancake Guru Erika, you have done it again another stunning way to create a new Costa Rica inspired pancake. Hmm that has me thinking about what you could do with coconut milk, mangos and pineapples and a Thai pancake flavors… The ideas are endless. Have fun in your kitchen.. Take care, BAM

    Reply
    • erika

      November 1, 2012 at 12:55 pm

      Haha thank you Bam! Mmmm…that’s a great idea–I’ve never thought about incorporating Thai flavors into a pancake, but now I’m intrigued!

      Reply
  2. The Healthy Flavor

    October 31, 2012 at 12:42 am

    I’ve never had tres leches cake, but the pancakes look absolutely delicious!! I see also you live in Texas, me too girl!! In H-town 🙂

    Reply
    • erika

      November 1, 2012 at 12:54 pm

      Wait no way!! That’s where I live! Have you ever been to Green Seed Vegan??

      Reply
      • The Healthy Flavor

        November 5, 2012 at 6:44 pm

        No, I’ve never heard of it! WHere’s it located!?

      • erika

        November 6, 2012 at 10:58 am

        It’s right near Hermann Park/Rice University…five minutes from my apartment! I’ve never been but I hear they have an award-winning veggie burger that I’m dying to try! I’ve also been wanting to try Pepper Tree, zPizza, Roots, Radical Eats and Loving Hut. Basically everything on this list lol: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2012/11/the_rest_of_the_best_houstons_33.php?page=3

        Have you gotten to try many vegan places in Houston? If you’re ever in the Rice area, we should grab lunch or coffee or something!

  3. Nancy @ gottagetbaked

    October 30, 2012 at 12:28 am

    Oh baby, these look fabulous! So thick and fluffy. And that milkX3 mixture on top looks good enough to drink on it’s own 😉

    Reply
    • erika

      October 30, 2012 at 9:15 am

      Thanks Nancy 🙂 It totally was–having a bowl of that milk mixture was so dangerous! Almost as dangerous as I would have been at that cakefest that you went to… 😉

      Reply
  4. lapetitebaker

    October 29, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    I love Tres Leche and these pancakes look great! Arepas are another food I want to try and make at home.

    Reply
    • erika

      October 30, 2012 at 9:14 am

      Aw thank you! Have you ever had arepas for real? I haven’t, but they sound delectable 🙂 I’d love to see your version of them at home!

      Reply
      • Stephanie

        January 26, 2016 at 2:30 pm

        If you haven’t had a chance to have an arepa yet, go to the Tuttopane out near Eldridge and Westheimer.

      • erika

        January 26, 2016 at 2:52 pm

        Thanks so much for the tip! I haven’t had a proper one yet, but I’m actually headed to Costa Rica soon, so hopefully I’ll be able to try some “authentic” ones there! And then I can compare it to Tuttopane 😉 😉

  5. Christine (@cookingcrusade)

    October 29, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    What a great idea!!! I’ve never made/eaten tres leches cake but it looks delicious. This looks much simpler to make 🙂 ps i LOOOVE condensed milk. it is just amazing!!

    Reply
    • erika

      October 30, 2012 at 9:13 am

      I know right?? What do you use it on? Have you ever made dulce de leche with it? I’ve been wanting to try that…

      Reply
  6. The Squishy Monster

    October 29, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    These are just faaaabulous!

    Reply
    • erika

      October 30, 2012 at 9:12 am

      Haha thank you! I just watched like five of your youtube videos and I think YOU are fabulous 🙂

      Reply
  7. The Teenage Taste

    October 29, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Nice to “meet” another Erika in Blog World! It’s even nicer to meet another Erika with a love for pancakes, too. These pancakes look absolutely amazing. I will definitely be coming back for more. 🙂

    Reply
    • erika

      October 29, 2012 at 2:24 pm

      Awww you too! Glad I found you 🙂

      Reply
  8. Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen

    October 28, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    UGH those pancakes sound soooo good! I should have made some of those for breakfast this morning…maybe I can still get away with making them for lunch? hehe

    Reply
    • erika

      October 29, 2012 at 10:42 am

      Haha DEFINITELY! Or dinner? Not to mention dessert…

      Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂

      Reply
  9. Profiteroles & Ponytails

    October 27, 2012 at 7:15 pm

    I have some almond milk to use up! Love that you have taken such a creative approach to such a breakfast staple!

    Reply
    • erika

      October 29, 2012 at 10:42 am

      Aww thank you! Almond milk is super great–what brand do you like? I generally stick to Almond Breeze, but I also really like Silk’s almond milk and I’ve heard rave reviews about the 365 brand…

      Reply
  10. yummychunklet

    October 27, 2012 at 6:56 am

    Dessert pancakes? I’ll take these anytime.

    Reply
    • erika

      October 29, 2012 at 10:41 am

      Come over! My house is dessert pancake central! Haha 🙂

      Reply
  11. Rhyann

    October 26, 2012 at 11:04 pm

    Yum! Desserts in pancakes are always so delicious. I can definitely understand making something that was meant to taste like one thing, but turns into something that tastes completely different (but totally awesome!)

    Reply
    • erika

      October 29, 2012 at 10:41 am

      Aww yay thanks Rhyann 🙂 I actually felt slightly guilty posting this since it totally doesn’t really taste like tres leches, but I’m glad you understand!

      Reply
  12. petit4chocolatier

    October 26, 2012 at 6:48 pm

    Looks so delicious! I love the 3 milks, triple yummy!!!

    Reply
    • erika

      October 29, 2012 at 10:40 am

      Thanks Judy 🙂 Yummy for sure!

      Reply
  13. Healthy Glow Nutrition

    October 26, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    These look too good! 🙂 Great recipe, thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • erika

      October 29, 2012 at 10:40 am

      Aww thank YOU for commenting! 🙂

      Reply
      • Healthy Glow Nutrition

        October 29, 2012 at 10:53 am

        My pleasure! I love your posts and recipes 🙂

  14. Choc Chip Uru

    October 26, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    I can just imagine how utterly soft addictive and delicious these would be my friend 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    Reply
    • erika

      October 29, 2012 at 10:40 am

      Uru. You don’t want to know how addictive. My waistband would give you a clue 😉

      Reply
  15. 3pastriesaday

    October 26, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    So creative, girl!!! And I do love me some tres leches =)

    Reply
    • erika

      October 29, 2012 at 10:39 am

      Thank you :)) I know you do 🙂 I miss our Baker servery runs for that tres leches OMG!

      Reply
  16. Bailey Bakes

    October 26, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    Ok Miss Smartypants, what a neat idea! I don’t know why, but I always feel guilty smothering my pancakes in syrup. Maybe I can trick my brain into thinking smothering them with three types of milk is better for me. Ha! And I’m glad you were able to use up your sister’s masa harina! Although, I had no idea what that was, but it’s really fun to say. 😀

    Reply
    • erika

      October 29, 2012 at 10:39 am

      Haha rightt?? I didn’t even think of that, but milk is TOTALLY healthier!! Syrup 2.0 anyone?

      And yes, the masa harina…I still have a pretty full sack left. Whatever should I do with it? 🙂

      Reply
  17. Kayle (The Cooking Actress)

    October 26, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    How creative! Tres leches pancakes! Yummers!

    Reply
    • erika

      October 26, 2012 at 1:58 pm

      Thanks girl! I def thought they were yummy 🙂

      Reply

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