Tres Leches Cake

1 . Stage

Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9-inch springform pan with floured cooking spray.

2 . Stage

Beat 3/4 cup sugar and egg yolks in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until light in color and doubled in volume. Stir in flour, milk, baking powder, and vanilla.

3 . Stage

Beat egg whites in a glass or metal bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, continuing to beat until medium peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture to lighten it. Fold in remaining egg whites, then pour batter into the prepared pan.

4 . Stage

Bake in the preheated oven until a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Loosen the edges with a knife, then remove the sides. Let cake cool completely on the wire rack, about 20 more minutes.

5 . Stage

Invert cake onto a deep serving plate and remove the pan bottom. Pierce the cake all over with a two-pronged meat fork or a cake tester.

6 . Stage

Make the filling and topping: Mix condensed milk, evaporated milk, and 1/4 cup whipping cream together in a bowl. Measure 1 cup milk mixture and refrigerate for another use. Slowly pour remaining milk mixture over the cake until absorbed.

7 . Stage

Pour remaining whipping cream into a chilled glass or metal bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until it thickens and reaches spreading consistency. Spread whipped cream over cake and garnish with cherries.

8 . Stage

If not serving immediately, refrigerate until ready to serve.