Step 1

Prepping: Butter and dust with flour a baking pan (3" height x 9" diameter [7.5 cm high x 22.5 cm diam]).Heat oven to 350 °F [175 °C].

Step 2

Whipping egg whites: Using the wire whisk of your mixer beat the whites until they form peaks, starting at low speed, then increasing in a few seconds. Add half the sugar and beat until it forms firm peaks and it's shiny. Set aside.

Step 3

Sifting flour: Mix flour and baking powder and sift. Set aside.

Step 4

Making batter: Using the paddle attachment of your mixer beat butter and yolks for 3 minutes at medium-high speed. Add the remaining sugar and beat until it is light and fluffy and has a very light yellow color (about 5 mins). Add vanilla extract, then slowly add the flour in three parts, beating until the flour is thoroughly combined before adding another third. Once all the flour has been added and mixed in, it will be very thick, with consistency between batter and cookie dough. That's OK.Add 1/3 of the egg whites. Using a spatula, fold the egg whites into the batter. Add the remaining white in two steps folding in each time with the spatula. At this point, it'll be a smooth batter with a lot of air incorporated.

Step 5

Baking: Pour the batter into the baking pan.Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and it has a golden color on top (about 30 mins).

Step 6

Removing from mold: Cool to room temperature before removing from the pan. Cut the crust.Place on a lipped plate that can hold the milk sauce.

Step 7

Mixing sauce: Mix evaporated, skim, and condensed milk. Mix in the vanilla extract.

Step 8

Soaking the cake: Pour the milk mixture on top of the cake and let it soak in. Bathing it regularly until it has absorbed half of the liquid (one to two hours) keeping it in the refrigerator all this time.You can make the topping while it chills.

Step 9

Making the topping: If you are going to use suspiro as the topping, use this recipe.If you will use whipped cream as the topping, chill the mixer bowl and wire whisk for at least half an hour beforehand (or 20 minutes in the freezer). Whisk the whipping cream over medium-high speed until it starts to form peaks (about 3 mins). Add the powdered sugar and cream cheese (see notes) and whisk until it is mixed in and has formed firm peaks, but careful not to overdo it, or the cream will turn into butter.

Step 10

Decorating: Spread the whipped cream on the chilled cake and decorate with strawberries or cherries.

Step 11

Serving and storing: Keep refrigerated until serving. Best consumed within 24 hours.