Hungarian Zserbo Cake Draft

How I make it

Dough

1. In a stand mixer bowl fitted with the dough hook, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, baking powder and egg yolks and mix on medium speed.

2. Add the water, milk and butter and mix about 5 minutes more, until the dough is smooth.

3. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 20 minutes.

Filling and assembly

1. Line a 12-inch (30 cm) square pan with parchment paper.

2. In a bowl, mix the sugar and walnuts for the filling.

3. Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll each into a square sheet about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick, the size of the pan.

4. Lay one sheet in the pan, spread with half the jam and sprinkle with half the nut mixture.

5. Top with the second sheet, spread with the rest of the jam and sprinkle with the rest of the nuts.

6. Cover with the last sheet, prick the top and set aside for about 30 minutes.

7. Preheat the oven to 340°F (170°C) and bake for about 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Glaze

1. Put the chocolate, butter and cream in a heatproof bowl and microwave until melted.

2. Add the corn syrup, if using, stir well and spread over the cake.

What I've learned

• I prick the top layer of dough so all the layers bake through.
• The cake can be cut into 3 long loaves.