Trileçe (also “trilece” or “trileche”) is a light sponge cake richly soaked in a mixture of three types of milk: usually cow’s milk, condensed milk, and cream.
Trileçe is especially popular in Albanian, Balkan, and Turkish cuisine. The dessert is served cold, often topped with caramel or fruit syrup. The name of the dessert comes from the Spanish term “tres leches” (which translates to “three milks”).
What Is Trileçe
Trileçe is made from a light and fluffy sponge cake, baked using eggs, sugar, flour, and baking powder. After baking and cooling, the sponge is thoroughly pierced with a fork or skewer and then soaked in a mixture of three types of milk. This usually includes a combination of cow’s milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy whipping cream. The milk mixture slowly absorbs into the sponge, making the dessert extraordinarily moist, tender, and juicy.
Finally, trileçe is topped with caramel sauce, although in Turkey, I often received it topped with condensed milk. The dessert is always served well chilled.
The Origin of Trileçe
Trileçe is strongly associated with Balkan and Albanian gastronomy, but its origins are likely outside the Balkan region. The term “tres leches” comes from Spanish and refers to the original Latin American dessert “pastel de tres leches,” which became popular primarily in Mexico, Nicaragua, and other Central American countries.
The dessert likely made its way to the Balkan region, especially Albania, through migration or cultural exchange. In Albanian cuisine, trileçe quickly took root and adapted to local tastes and preferences, creating a specific local variation of this dessert. Since then, it has become very popular and subsequently spread to neighboring Balkan countries such as Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. Later, trileçe also reached Turkey, where it gained significant popularity in patisseries and restaurants in major cities.
Today, trileçe is one of the most famous and beloved desserts in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Turkey. Because it is served chilled, it is also pleasantly refreshing during hot summers.
Have you had the chance to try trileçe? What do you think about this dessert?
Bon appétit!