I Tried Trader Joe’s $8 Latin American Dessert, and Its Soft, Refreshing Bite Makes for a Sweet After-Dinner Treat

The problem with Trader Joe’s is that I simply cannot resist indulging in a new seasonal snack. Whether it’s a decadent dessert, individually wrapped finger foods or any number of bagged chips creations, the second I lay eyes on the retailer’s colorful “new item” signage, I immediately start making room inside my basket. 

This week’s must-try treat? A limited-time arrival that goes by the name Tres Leches Cake. A familiar face that is currently on the tail end of its seasonal availability, this soft, moist and fluffy offering looks just as good as the quintessential Latin American dessert should be. Boasting a light, airy sponge cake that’s been soaked with milk and topped with a hefty crown of whipped cream, it took very little inner dialog before I snatched a box right out of the freezer.

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With summer coming to a close, I felt it only fitting to put a sweet and satisfying cap on the season with this decadent $8 freezer find. And since the box made it look strikingly similar to something you might get at a high-end restaurant, I felt it was my duty to report back on what I thought of Trader Joe’s take on this classic South American treat. 

Read on for my official review of the Trader Joe’s Tres Leches Cake and if it was as good as it looked on the box.

Tres Leches Cake, $7.99 at Trader Joe’s

Frozen in a 17.5-ounce box and retailing for just $7.99, Trader Joe’s Tres Leches Cake is conveniently sized for sharing and beyond easy to prep for service. Featuring a hearty loaf of airy sponge cake soaked in a blend of heavy cream, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk, it comes generously topped with a slab of whipped cream to create a fitting tribute to the classic confection.

As someone whose sweet tooth has remained the same since I was a kid, I couldn’t help but get excited to thaw this sucker out and try it for myself. And upon pulling it out of the box after letting it thaw properly in the fridge, I found myself beyond impressed by its enticing appearance and light, fluffy, moist bite.

How to Prepare Trader Joe’s Tres Leches Cake

Perhaps the only downside is the thawing process, but if you plan ahead, it’s hardly a knock against the cake, serving more as a reward for your patience than something you can enjoy right away. For the best texture, keep the cake in its plastic wrapping inside of the box and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. And if you’re short on time, you can take it out of the box, leave the plastic wrap intact and let it thaw on the counter at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours. 

From there, remove the plastic wrap, fold down the walls of the cardboard tray it’s displayed in and slice it evenly for plating. Or, dig right in with a fork and skip the plates altogether—no judgment here. If you don’t finish it in one sitting, however, don’t sweat it. You can safely keep the cake in the refrigerator for up to three days and snack on it periodically till it disappears.

Related: 5 Best Produce Items To Buy at Trader Joe’s (and 4 To Skip)

Is Trader Joe’s Tres Leches Cake a Repeat Purchase?

Would I buy this cake again? Absolutely. Should you try it out for yourself? Only if you’re ready to have your socks blown off. On its own, this cake is everything you need for a sweet and satisfying dessert, requiring zero upgrades to truly enjoy it.

In terms of its texture and flavor, it sits right up there with some of the amazing tres leches cakes I’ve had at restaurants, which honestly surprised me for a store-bought option. And if you’re worried about it being too wet or too dry, I found it landed somewhere right in the middle, with a satisfying balance of moist and fluffy textures that made every bite enjoyable.

As a solo snack, it might be a bit heavy, but when sharing with friends, this cake very much makes for the ultimate summer send-off. You might even want to grab an extra before it disappears to keep in the freezer if you have the space. 

Looking for more tasty Trader Joe’s treats? Keep your eyes peeled for Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Mango & Passion Fruit Crème Thin Cups or these PB&J and PB&C Snack Duos. 

Related: 10 Trader Joe’s Frozen Foods That Make Weeknight Dinner So Much Easier