Tres Leches Cupcakes Recipe

• Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the vanilla seeds. Set the seeds aside for later.
• Break the vanilla bean pod into 1-inch pieces.
• In a small pan over low heat, combine the vanilla pod pieces, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whipping cream. Heat just until warm, and then remove from heat to cool.
• Heat oven to 375 F.
• Separate the eggs, putting the whites into a medium bowl and the yolks into a large bowl.
• Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, beating continuously until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
• Beat the yolks until thick and lighter in color – about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon milk and mix well.
• Put the egg whites on top of the yolks. Add the vanilla and vanilla bean seeds and fold all together gently until there are only small lumps of egg white in the mixture.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the egg mixture in three increments, folding the dry ingredients in gently and completely each time. Batter will be thick.
• Place foil cupcake liners in cupcake pans. Fill each half-full.
• Place in oven and immediately turn heat down to 350 F.
• Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the tops are just beginning to turn golden.
• Cool on cake racks.
• Strain the three-milk mixture. Remove and discard the vanilla pod pieces.
• Poke shallow holes in each cupcake using a fork or wooden skewer – no more than 1/4-inch deep. If your cupcakes rose over the top of the liner, cut off the top with a sharp knife. You won’t need to poke holes in this case.
• If you are using liquor, add it to the milk mixture now.
• Holding each cupcake over a bowl, slowly pour about 1 1/2 tablespoons of milk mixture over each cupcake. Wipe any spilled milk from the outside of the foil liner and place the cupcake on a tray or baking sheet. Repeat until all cupcakes are soaked.
• For best results, chill in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours, or overnight. Add topping up to an hour before serving, and keep refrigerated.

To make topping:

• Whip cream at medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
• Add powdered sugar and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
• Pipe onto cupcakes using a star tip. Top with a maraschino cherry.