Granny and the New Year’s Eve Easy No-Bake Drunken Cake Tradition
In the 80’s, Granny used to leave the drunken cake on the balcony to set. When I was little, in Bucharest, Romania, the temperatures during New Year’s Eve were often below freezing, so the balcony became our second refrigerator. I never had the patience to wait for it to set, so I would always poke it with my finger to see if it had firmed up enough.
Holiday Season in Communist Romania
I also remember that after making sausages, we’d hang them on the clothesline to dry. We always had a barrel of sauerkraut, and we used a long plastic pipe to stir the brine – a process that made the whole house stink until the next day. Granny Victoria, or Vichi for friends, would make a small piece of caltaboș (a type of rich Romanian sausage) just for herself because I couldn’t stand the taste or smell. Now, I make my own caltaboș for Christmas, and my daughter Adara doesn’t like the taste or smell either. Karma!
On New Year’s Eve, I had a very important job: writing the menu on beautiful pieces of paper. Our neighbors always came over. First, there was Mrs. Comșa, and after she passed away, Mrs. Filip. Sometimes, Granny’s cousins Florica, Dorina or Uncle Gusti would visit. I loved all of them. They were cultured, kind people who humored me by watching my shows – dances, ballet, gymnastics – and laughed at my jokes and gave me gifts and money.
One year, during Ceaușescu’s era, I was so excited that we had olives on the table that I listed them as a separate course on the menu!
Origin and History of No-Bake Cakes
No-bake cakes are a long-standing tradition born out of the need for quick, accessible desserts. In Europe, they gained popularity in the 19th century when biscuits, butter, and preserved fruits became widely available. These cakes required no baking, making them perfect for families without ovens.
In Romania, no-bake cakes like “tortul rece” (cold cake) became iconic during the communist era when creativity in the kitchen was essential due to food shortages. The “drunken cake” evolved as a decadent dessert, often using leftover holiday ingredients like cherries soaked in liqueur or sweetbread (cozonac) crumbs.
10 Famous Dessert Recipes Worldwide
- Tiramisu (Italy): A creamy dessert with coffee-soaked biscuits and mascarpone.
- Cheesecake (USA): A rich dessert with a graham cracker crust.
- Baklava (Middle East): Layered filo pastry with nuts and honey syrup.
- Mochi (Japan): Sweet, chewy rice cakes.
- Black Forest Cake (Germany): Chocolate cake with cherries and whipped cream.
- Pavlova (Australia): Meringue topped with cream and fruit.
- Churros (Spain): Fried dough sprinkled with sugar, served with chocolate sauce.
- Knafeh (Levant): A cheese-based dessert soaked in syrup.
- Macarons (France): Almond meringue cookies with flavored fillings.
- Kulfi (India): A frozen dessert infused with cardamom and nuts.
Before we move on to the actual easy Romanian New Year’s no bake drunken cake recipe (that’s a mouthful, but good for SEO :)), let us recommend a few other Romanian holiday recipes:
5 Related Romanian Recipes for New Year’s Eve
Sarmale: Cabbage rolls filled with meat and rice.
Fish Roe Spread: Creamy fish roe spread.
Eggplant Dip: Smoky, creamy eggplant spread.
Whole Roasted Chicken: Perfectly seasoned and baked to golden perfection.
Zacusca: Fabulous vegetable spread made with red peppers and eggplant.
Easy Romanian No-Bake Drunken Cake – Granny’s Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: RomanianDifficulty: Easy12
servings15
minutes15
minutes300
kcal30
minutesWhy This is the Best Dessert Recipe
Nostalgia: A recipe steeped in family traditions and childhood memories.
Ease of Preparation: No baking required, making it accessible for all skill levels.
Flavor Explosion: The perfect combination of chocolate, cherries, and liqueur.
Versatility: Easily customized with different decorations and ingredients.
Showstopper: Always a highlight on any holiday table.
Ingredients
450 g plain biscuits, crushed into fine crumbs (some small chunks are okay)
1 cup powdered sugar
200 g butter
4 eggs
4 tbsp cocoa powder
1 cup cherries soaked in liqueur (or soak frozen cherries in cherry liqueur for a few days)
1/2 cup cherries from jam, drained
1 cup roasted walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup raisins soaked in brandy, rum, or liqueur
2 tbsp grated orange zest
2 tbsp rum extract
For decoration: Orange slices, pineapple chunks, berries, whipped cream, powdered sugar, chopped walnuts, pistachios, or melted chocolate
Directions
- Crush the biscuits into fine crumbs using a blender.
- Roast the walnuts and crush them.
- Cream the sugar and butter together until fluffy.
- Add the egg yolks one by one, mixing continuously.
- Mix in the cocoa powder.
- Remove from blender to a large bowl. Mix by hand in a large bowl the biscuit crumbs, orange zest, fruits, nuts, and rum extract.
- Combine with butter mix. If desired, add 1/2 cup of liqueur for extra flavor.
- Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold them into the mixture using an upward motion.
- Line a small round cake pan with plastic wrap. Press the mixture firmly into the pan, smoothing the top.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Decorate as desired before serving.
Recipe Video
5 Pro Tips for the Perfect Easy Romanian No-Bake Drunken Cake
- Roast the walnuts to enhance their flavor and crunch.
- Use cold butter to achieve a firmer texture.
- Soak the raisins overnight for maximum flavor.
- Pack the mixture tightly to ensure the cake holds its shape.
- Experiment with creative decorations for a festive touch.
When Do Romanians Eat Cakes?
In Romania, cakes are a symbol of celebration and joy, gracing tables on special occasions like New Year’s Eve, Christmas, or birthdays. They reflect the effort and love put into cooking for loved ones.
5 Reasons to Eat This Drunken Cake
- Simple Preparation: Perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike.
- Rich Flavor: Combines chocolate, cherry liqueur and cherries in a decadent mix.
- Perfect for Sharing: A centerpiece dessert for any celebration.
- Customizable: Adapt the ingredients and decorations to your liking.
- Nostalgic Touch: Brings family traditions to life.
Why This Cake is Healthy
- Walnuts are a great source of healthy fats and antioxidants.
- Cherries contain vitamin C and fiber.
- Cocoa is rich in flavonoids, promoting brain and heart health.
Do you have any easy recipe suggestions? Send us a message!
Vivi is a passionate teacher, story teller and photographer. Adara is a passionate accountant, businesswoman and videographer. On Cooking Romania by Vivi, the Mom and Daughter play together at the intersection of self and food mastery.
