Somloi Galuska — Hungarian rum-cream trifle
Somlói galuska is a Hungarian dessert trifle: three sponges (plain, walnut, chocolate) layered with rum-soaked raisins, vanilla custard, walnuts and whipped cream, drenched in rum syrup and topped with chocolate sauce. It is the canonical celebration dessert of Hungary.
i. Origin & history
Somlói galuska was reportedly invented by Béla Szőcs of the Gundel restaurant in Budapest in the 1950s. It has become one of the most-recognised Hungarian desserts internationally.
ii. Ingredients
Makes 10 servings · scroll the side panel to adjust
- 6 eggs
- 180 g sugar
- 60 g flour + 60 g cornstarch (plain sponge)
- 30 g flour + 30 g cornstarch + 60 g ground walnuts (walnut sponge)
- 60 g flour + 30 g cocoa (chocolate sponge)
- 500 ml milk + 100 g sugar + 60 g cornstarch + 3 yolks + vanilla (pastry cream)
- 100 g raisins, soaked in 60 ml rum
- 100 g chopped walnuts
- 200 ml water + 100 g sugar + 60 ml dark rum (syrup)
- 200 ml double cream, whipped
- 100 g chocolate sauce
iii. Method
- Make three sponges separately, baked thin in three trays. Cool. Cut into pieces.
- Make pastry cream; cool.
- Make rum syrup.
- In a glass bowl, layer: plain sponge, syrup, walnut-raisin mix, custard. Repeat with walnut sponge. Repeat with chocolate sponge.
- Drench with remaining rum syrup. Top with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Chill 2 hours.
iv. Tips & common mistakes
- Use the freshest ingredients you can. The recipe relies on them.
- Read the method through first. Several steps must be ready in advance.
- Season patiently. Sweetness and salt are tuned at the end, not the start.
v. Variations
Restaurant somlói is plated as a quenelle (gnocchi-shape — hence galuska). Home somlói is layered in a glass bowl. Modern versions use pistachio or hazelnut sponge variations.
vi. Common questions
What is somloi galuska?
Somloi Galuska is hungarian rum-cream trifle, from eastern european cuisine. It is the canonical celebration dessert of Hungary
Where is somloi galuska from?
Somloi Galuska is from the eastern european dessert tradition; the recipe and history are detailed above.
How long does somloi galuska keep?
See the storage note in the Quick facts panel: 3 days refrigerated.