Garash Cake (Гараш) – Bulgarian Chocolate Cake

Garash cake is a luxurious Bulgarian chocolate cake made of thin layers of walnuts and egg whites, covered with a dense, dark chocolate glaze. It is rich, gluten-free, and perfect for special occasions.

Garash Cake

75 min 1 Portionen Einfach
Portionen: Basis: 1

Zutaten

For the cake layers

  • 6 egg whites
  • 200 g sugar
  • 200 g ground walnuts

For the chocolate cream

  • 200 g dark chocolate, at least 70% cocoa
  • 200 g butter, softened
  • 100 g powdered sugar
  • 100 g dark chocolate
  • 50 ml heavy cream
  • 20 g butter

Zubereitung

1. Prepare the batter

  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C fan.
  2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  3. Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff.
  4. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is glossy and firm.
  5. Carefully fold in the ground walnuts, keeping as much air in the egg whites as possible.
  6. Divide the batter into 5 equal portions and spread each one thinly onto a round baking tray, about 24 cm in diameter.
  7. Bake each layer for 10–12 minutes, until slightly firm but not browned.
  8. After baking, let the layers cool completely.

2. Make the chocolate cream

  1. Slowly melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, then let it cool slightly.
  2. Beat the softened butter with the powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Slowly add the cooled, melted chocolate to the butter-sugar mixture and mix everything well.
  4. Let the cream rest in the refrigerator for 10 minutes so it becomes slightly firmer.

3. Assemble the cake

  1. Place one of the baked cake layers on a cake plate and spread a thin layer of chocolate cream over it.
  2. Repeat this process with the remaining layers until all 5 layers are stacked.
  3. Cover the entire cake with the remaining cream and smooth it out with a cake scraper.
  4. Let the cake rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes so the cream becomes firmer.

4. Prepare the chocolate glaze

  1. Melt the chocolate together with the cream and butter in a double boiler and stir until smooth.
  2. Let the glaze cool slightly, then pour it evenly over the chilled cake.
  3. Smooth the glaze with an offset spatula or a knife.
  4. Chill the cake again for at least 30 minutes, until the glaze is set.

Tips & Variations:

  • Gluten-free: Since the layers are made from walnuts, Garash cake is naturally gluten-free.
  • Extra chocolate flavor: For an even more chocolatey taste, you can add a little cocoa powder to the buttercream.
  • Decoration: Classic Garash cake is often decorated with fine chocolate lines or chopped walnuts.

Serving suggestion:

Garash cake is best served slightly chilled, accompanied by an espresso or Bulgarian Mavrud red wine.