Hungarian Trifle

• servings: 12 servings
• total time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 Walnut Sponge Cake

1 Cocoa Sponge Cake

1 Plain Sponge Cake

Vanilla Pastry Cream

For the Rum Simple Syrup:

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup water

Optional: 1 (3-inch) strip orange zest

Optional: 1 (3-inch) strip lemon zest

Optional: 1/3 cup golden rum

For Assembly:

1/3 cup apricot preserves

1/2 cup walnuts (finely chopped)

1/2 cup raisins (golden or dark)

Garnish: 3 tablespoons cocoa powder (Dutch-processed)

For the Rum Chocolate Sauce:

3/4 cup water

Optional: 3 tablespoons golden rum

6 ounces chocolate (good-quality bittersweet, chopped)

3/4 cup sugar

For the Garnish:

Garnish: whipped cream (sweetened)

Directions

Prepare plain sponge cake, cocoa sponge cake, and walnut sponge cake per recipe instructions.

Prepare vanilla pastry cream per recipe instructions.

Meanwhile, make the Rum Simple Syrup by stirring the sugar, water, and orange and lemon zest, if using, in a small saucepan over medium heat until boiling. Continue to boil without stirring until the syrup has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Cool completely and stir in the rum, if using, and remove the zests, if using.

In a small saucepan, boil apricot preserves over medium heat and keep warm. Combine walnuts and raisins in a small bowl and set aside.

Place walnut sponge cake in the bottom of a 13x9-inch rectangular pan. Brush with 1/3 rum simple syrup, then spread with warm apricot preserves. Spread 1/3 pastry cream over the preserves and 1/2 the walnut-raisin mixture.

Next, place the cocoa sponge cake in the pan, pressing down lightly. Brush with 1/3 rum simple syrup and 1/3 pastry cream. Sprinkle remaining walnut-raisin mixture on top.

Top with plain sponge cake, pressing down lightly. Brush with remaining rum simple syrup and remaining 1/3 pastry cream. Sift 3 tablespoons cocoa powder over top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.

To make the Rum Chocolate Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring 3/4 cup water, 3 tablespoons rum (if using), 6 ounces chopped chocolate and 3/4 cup sugar to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat and cook at a brisk simmer, stirring often, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly and serve warm.

To serve: The traditional presentation is to use a 2-inch ice cream scoop and place three "dumplings" in a bowl or on a dessert plate, then pipe with sweetened whipped cream and drizzle with the Rum Chocolate Sauce. A modern presentation is to cut the dessert into squares to show off the layers and then garnish with whipped cream and sauce.