Zserbó 530g - Gerbeaud Cake

Zserbó is a classic layered Hungarian cake with walnut and apricot jam filling, covered in dark chocolate for a rich, celebratory dessert for sharing.

What Is Zserbó Cake?

Zserbó, also known as Gerbeaud cake or zserbó szelet, is one of Hungary's most loved celebration cakes. Thin layers of tender pastry are generously filled with bright apricot jam and finely ground walnuts, then finished with a smooth dark chocolate coating.

It is a wonderful contrast of textures: softly layered pastry, fragrant walnut filling, gently tangy fruit and a satisfying snap of dark chocolate. Rich but not heavy, it is the kind of cake that invites a second slice with coffee.

Zserbó is a familiar sight at Hungarian Christmas and Easter tables, but it is equally good for an elegant afternoon tea, a family lunch or a properly memorable dessert.

How to Serve Zserbó

This cake is made for generous slices, good coffee, and unhurried conversation.

• Serve at room temperature with espresso, black coffee or a pot of strong tea for a proper Central European coffeehouse moment.
• Add to a Christmas, Easter or celebration dessert table alongside fresh fruit and softly whipped cream.
• Warm a slice very gently and serve with a scoop of good vanilla ice cream for an especially indulgent dessert.
• Pair with a small glass of Tokaji dessert wine, whose honeyed fruit character sits beautifully alongside the apricot, walnuts and dark chocolate.
• Bring to a dinner party or family gathering as a ready-to-slice cake that feels genuinely special without needing any extra preparation.

Serving Tip

Use a sharp knife, briefly warmed under hot water and wiped dry between cuts. This keeps the dark chocolate top neat and shows off the handsome layers underneath.

Where Does It Come From?

Our Zserbó is hand-baked by Nándori Cukrászda, a family-run Budapest patisserie on Ráday Street. Its story began in 1957, and László Nándori took over the business in 1988, continuing its tradition of carefully made cakes and pastries.

Skilled confectioners layer tender pastry with apricot jam and ground walnuts, then cover each slice in dark chocolate. The result is rich, glossy and deeply satisfying, with the bright fruit and nutty filling keeping every bite beautifully balanced.

The cake is named after Émile Gerbeaud, the Swiss-born confectioner whose work helped make Budapest's Café Gerbeaud a landmark of European coffeehouse culture. Browse our wider selection of Hungarian cakes and pastries for more hand-made sweet specialities from Nándori Cukrászda.

Delivery & Storage

Each Zserbó cake has a best-before date of 14 days from the date of purchase, making it wonderfully practical for entertaining, gifting or enjoying over several occasions. We send it in protective packaging to help it arrive ready to slice and serve.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate after opening.

Ingredients & Allergen Information

Ingredients: Wheat flour, sugar, margarine, butter, yeast, salt, eggs, milk, walnuts, cinnamon, lemon peel, apricots, sugar, pregelina (sugar, modified starch, acidifier: citric acid, antioxidant: ascorbic acid, preservative: potassium sorbate), pectin, preservative: potassium sorbate, antioxidant: ascorbic acid, colouring: capsanthin, dried apricots, dark chocolate, vegetable oil, ethanol, E172, propellant gas, dextrose, rice flour, glucose syrup, E904, E330, coconut oil, rapeseed oil, cocoa mass, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, natural vanilla flavouring.

Allergy advice: For allergens, see ingredients in bold. May contain traces of sesame, sulphites and other tree nuts.

Country of Origin: Hungary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zserbó the same as Gerbeaud cake?

Yes. Zserbó, Gerbeaud cake, Gerbeaud slice and zserbó szelet are commonly used names for this traditional Hungarian layered pastry of apricot jam, walnuts and dark chocolate.

What does Zserbó taste like?

It has a rich, nutty walnut filling balanced by bright apricot jam, tender pastry and a smooth dark chocolate finish. The flavours are deep and intense, yet the fruit keeps the cake from becoming overly sweet.

Is Zserbó only for Christmas?

No. It is especially associated with Christmas and Easter in Hungary, but it is equally lovely throughout the year as an afternoon-tea cake, dinner-party dessert or thoughtful food gift.

How should I serve Zserbó cake?

Serve at room temperature in neat rectangular slices with coffee, tea, dessert wine or vanilla ice cream. It is also excellent set out as part of a larger dessert table.

For more delicious sweet specialities to serve after dinner or share with guests, explore our Hungarian desserts collection.