Vasina torta

Vasina torta is a well-loved cake in Serbia. Layers of nut sponge are spread with a walnut and chocolate cream and topped with white meringue. The scent of orange comes through the rich walnut and chocolate cream.

Layers of Walnut and Orange

In a collection of dessert recipes compiled in Serbia, eggs and sugar are whipped, then ground walnuts and flour are added and the batter is baked. The cooled sponge is cut into two layers, and the filling is spread on both. For the filling, hot milk is poured over walnuts and sugar, egg yolks and chocolate are added and the mixture is warmed; once it has cooled, butter and orange juice and zest are mixed in. The top is spread with egg whites whipped with sugar.

Another method uses almonds in the sponge, and the egg whites and sugar are warmed in a bain-marie before being whipped. Within a single slice, the light meringue contrasts with the dense nut cream.

Stories About the Name Vasa

In Paraćin, Serbia, a family story about the cake’s name has been handed down. According to this story, when Vasa traveled to Vienna to see a doctor for his wife, who was expecting a child, his wife’s mother made the cake to express her gratitude. The town’s tourism organization presents this cake as a local specialty.

Another anecdote, by contrast, says that while the editor of a cookery column was sorting through an unnamed recipe, a visitor named Vasa appeared, and his name was given to the recipe. Both are stories about the cake’s name and should be distinguished from reliable records of its invention.

Glossary