Griliash Cake, 3 layers

Feb 17, 2022

4 min read

Updated: Oct 28

Grilijaš: A Delightful Serbian Cake

Grilijaš is a beautiful and delicious cake that holds a special place in Serbian culinary traditions. This delightful dessert is characterized by its rich combination of chocolate and walnuts, creating a flavor profile that is both indulgent and satisfying. The preparation of Grilijaš is relatively straightforward, making it an accessible treat for bakers of all skill levels.

Perfect for Any Occasion

This cake is not only easy to prepare but also incredibly versatile, making it an ideal choice for a variety of occasions. Whether you are celebrating a festive holiday, hosting a family gathering, or marking a special birthday, Grilijaš is sure to impress your guests. Its inviting appearance, often adorned with a glossy chocolate glaze and sprinkled with finely chopped walnuts, makes it a centerpiece worthy of any celebration.

Texture and Flavor Profile

The texture of Grilijaš is soft and hearty, providing a delightful contrast to the crispness of the walnuts. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of flavors, with the deep richness of chocolate perfectly complemented by the earthy notes of the walnuts. This combination not only makes for a delicious treat but also evokes a sense of nostalgia, as many people associate this cake with cherished memories of family gatherings and festive celebrations.

Step-by-Step Recipe

To create this scrumptious cake, you will need a few key ingredients: high-quality chocolate, fresh walnuts, sugar, flour, eggs, and butter. The process begins by melting the chocolate and mixing it with the other ingredients to form a smooth batter. Chopped walnuts are then folded into the mixture, adding texture and flavor. Once combined, the batter is poured into a prepared baking dish and baked until it achieves a perfect balance of moistness and firmness. After baking, the cake is left to cool before being topped with a luscious chocolate glaze. This final touch not only enhances the cake's visual appeal but also adds an extra layer of chocolatey goodness that is hard to resist.

Serving Suggestions

When it comes to serving Grilijaš, you can get creative. It pairs wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which can balance the richness of the cake. Additionally, garnishing with extra walnut pieces or a dusting of powdered sugar can elevate its presentation, making it even more inviting. In conclusion, Grilijaš is not just a cake; it is a celebration of flavors and textures that encapsulates the warmth of Serbian hospitality. Whether you are baking it for a special occasion or simply to enjoy a sweet treat at home, this cake is sure to delight your taste buds and bring joy to your gatherings. Follow the recipe, and indulge in the wonderful experience that is Grilijaš.

Ingredients: medium, total time: 90 min, 20 servings

For 3 crusts in total, you need:

Filling:

Griliash for sprinkling:

Glaze:

Preparation:

Prepare the grilles first:

Melt the sugar over low heat like caramel — pour in the sugar, turn on low and let it melt, stirring occasionally and being careful not to burn. When melted, add ground walnuts. Serve on an oiled plate and, when it cools, chop in a super chopper.

Crust:

For each crust: whisk 4 egg whites into solid snow. Add one at a time (a total of 4 Tablespoons of sugar), whisk well between each, add 4 egg yolks one by one and lightly combine them with the egg whites with a whisk. Mix lightly, add a Tablespoon of flour and 120 g ground griliash. Bake three such crusts in a square tray lined with greaseproof paper (tray 20 × 33 cm). All this for bark x 3 in total.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C, until the crust turns brown, check the crust with a toothpick if it is ready.

For Filling:

Whisk 5 whole eggs with sugar and vanilla sugar, and finally add chocolate. When the filling has thickened well, turn off the heat and leave to cool. Add the already whipped butter to the cooled filling and mix the cream well with a mixer.
Specially prepare another griliash for sprinkling the cake by melting the sugar like caramel and this time adding chopped walnuts to it. Pour onto an oiled plate, and when cool chop but not too much.
Fill the crust with the prepared filling and sprinkle each one generously with grill. Coat the top crust with the filling, as well as the complete cake on the side.
Leave to cool a bit in the fridge and then apply the chocolate glaze. Decorate the edges of the cake with the remaining grill. Stick griliash around the edge of the cake.
For the chocolate “border”, whip 100 g of butter and 100 g of melted chocolate until foamy, then decorate the edges of the cake with a star-shaped syringe.

Chocolate glaze:

Melt the chocolate and oil over low heat, mix, and apply with a long, wide knife over the cooled cake.
If the chocolate glaze hardens before you align it nicely, you can apply another layer of glaze later (when the previous one hardens), or use a spray with the smallest opening to make patterns of melted chocolate.
The cake will be beautifully decorated in this way, and you will not notice how the icing is made. Pour the chocolate into a cake syringe with a smaller opening and decorate by making corneli lace. Allow the cake to cool for a couple of hours.

Buon appetito!

NOTE:

Keep the cake in the refrigerator covered with aluminum foil for up to 4-5 days.
The cake can be frozen for up to a month; take it out a few hours before eating.