This is one of Hungary’s most elegant cakes: thin walnut meringue layers filled with rich buttercream and traditionally finished with a white glaze and chocolate spiderweb design.
📝 Ingredients
🥜 Walnut Meringue Layers
8 large egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup (200 g) sugar
2 cups (200 g) finely ground walnuts
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
🍮 Esterházy Buttercream
8 egg yolks
¾ cup (150 g) sugar
1 cup (240 ml) milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
250 g (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons rum or cognac (optional but traditional)
🎨 Glaze & Decoration (Traditional)
200 g (7 oz) white chocolate or fondant glaze
30 g (1 oz) dark chocolate, melted
Ground walnuts for the sides
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Walnut Meringue Layers
Preheat oven to 170°C / 340°F.
Line baking sheets with parchment. Draw 4–5 circles (22 cm / 9 inch).
Beat egg whites with salt until soft peaks form.
Gradually add sugar; beat until stiff and glossy.
Gently fold in walnuts and flour.
Spread evenly inside the circles.
Bake 12–15 minutes until lightly golden.
Cool completely.
2️⃣ Buttercream
Heat milk until hot (not boiling).
Whisk yolks, sugar, and cornstarch.
Slowly pour hot milk into yolk mixture while whisking.
Return to saucepan and cook until thick pudding forms.
Cool completely.
Beat butter until fluffy, then add custard gradually.
Mix in vanilla and rum.
3️⃣ Assemble the Cake
Place one walnut layer on a cake plate.
Spread an even layer of buttercream.
Repeat layers, finishing with cream on top and sides.
4️⃣ Glaze & Decorate (Classic Look)
Warm white chocolate or fondant and pour over the top.
Pipe thin dark chocolate circles on the glaze.
Drag a toothpick from center outward to create the spiderweb pattern.
Press ground walnuts onto the sides.
🍽️ Resting & Serving
Let cake rest at least 4 hours, preferably overnight
Slice with a hot, clean knife
Serve with strong coffee or espresso
❤️ Why Hungarians Treasure It
Noble origins (named after the Esterházy family)
Walnut-forward, not overly sweet
A symbol of classic Austro-Hungarian pastry mastery
If you want, I can also give you: ✔️ a simplified home version ✔️ a no-glaze rustic version ✔️ or a Facebook viral caption + history story
