Here’s a classic Hungarian Gerbeaud Cake (Zserbó szelet) recipe—a rich, layered dessert with walnuts, apricot jam, and chocolate glaze 🍰🌰
Ingredients
For the dough (shortcrust pastry):
- 400 g (3 ¼ cups) all-purpose flour
- 200 g (1 cup) unsalted butter, cold, cubed
- 100 g (½ cup) sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
For the filling:
- 300 g (3 cups) ground walnuts
- 150 g (¾ cup) sugar
- 200 g (¾–1 cup) apricot jam
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: 1–2 Tbsp milk (to moisten walnuts if needed)
For the glaze:
- 100 g (½ cup) dark chocolate
- 1 Tbsp butter or cream
Instructions
1. Prepare the dough
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Beat eggs with sugar and vanilla; add to flour mixture.
- Knead into a smooth dough, divide into three equal parts. Wrap and chill 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven
Preheat to 180°C (350°F). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
3. Assemble layers
- First layer: Roll out one portion of dough and place in the pan.
- Spread half the apricot jam over the dough.
- Sprinkle half the walnut-sugar mixture evenly over the jam.
- Second layer: Roll out the second portion of dough, place on top, then repeat with remaining jam and walnuts.
- Top layer: Roll out the final portion of dough and place on top. Prick lightly with a fork to prevent bubbling.
4. Bake
- Bake 35–40 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool completely in the pan.
5. Chocolate glaze
- Melt chocolate with butter or cream over low heat.
- Spread evenly over cooled cake.
- Let the chocolate set at room temperature or in the fridge.
6. Serve
- Cut into squares or bars.
- Optional: dust edges with powdered sugar for decoration.
Tips
- Walnuts: Lightly toast them for a deeper flavor.
- Jam: Apricot is traditional, but plum or raspberry works too.
- Storage: Keeps well in the fridge for 4–5 days; flavors improve after a day.
If you want, I can also give a step-by-step visual guide for rolling and layering—it makes this multi-layered cake much easier to assemble neatly.
Do you want me to do that?