This no-bake mosaic cake is a slightly-sweet Turkish dessert that is easy enough for kids and husbands to make (and they’ll get their hands dirty, too!)
Jump to Recipe
This second (and last) post of the 2021 Valentine’s season is again geared for the guys…and the kids (is there a difference, really??)
Okay, look, I’m going assume (yeah, I know where that leads) that you’ve taken my advice from my first Valentine’s post, but you don’t need to (and shouldn’t) stop there! If you’re not the one doing most of the cooking in your house, don’t you think the person who is might like a little break? Hmmmm? Even if it’s just the dessert?
Yes, I’m aware that most men are ham-fisted clunks in the kitchen, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something.
How about I make it easy on you?
My babes (Da Wife) recently taught me how to make a beloved Turkish dessert called a mosaic cake. The best part about this cake is that it doesn’t need to be baked! Even better, some of the ingredients are really just suggestions – there is a vast amount of room for all sorts of substitutions.
In Turkey, men don’t generally cook, unless they are restaurant chefs, so this recipe is certainly not geared towards them. It is, however, a favorite for Turkish mothers to make with their kids.
Because here’s the thing – though many online recipes for this no-bake mosaic cake show ladies mixing the batter with a spoon, I have it on good authority (Da Wife) that when moms and kids make it, they use their hands to mix the batter, and it makes for delightfully messy and delicious fingers which makes for delighted and giggling children.
So here’s your V-Day plan, bro:
- Make her some love song lyrics art
- If you can’t cook, just order out – anything to give the regular chef a break
- Make this no-bake mosaic cake for dessert
Who knows – you may discover some hidden aptitude for the culinary arts!
At the very least, you’ll have an appreciative babes.
And that is worth its weight in gold.
Or chocolate.
Whichever is more valuable.
No-Bake Mosaic Cake
Ingredients
- 6 ounces unsalted butter
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup powdered sugar - can use more if you like it more sweet
- 1 cup milk
- 16 ounces petit beurre or other wafer/cookie
Instructions
- Melt butter over low heat and pour into a large mixing bowl (you could also use room temperature butter).
- Add cocoa powder and powdered sugar to bowl.
- Whisk until smooth.
- Add milk (don't worry if the milk is cold and hardens the butter a bit.)
- Add petit beurre to mixing bowl.
- Mix with hands until combined.
- Don't over-mix. You want to keep large pieces of biscuit along with the crushed pieces.
- Line a bread pan with cling film and pack with the petit beurre mixture.
- Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Fold the cling film over the top.
- Transfer to the freezer for 1 hour so the cake can set.
- Slice and serve.
- Can be stored in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?
Maigwen says
A classic in Poland! During the communist times, instead of butter, margarine was used and powdered milk to make it harder. It was even sold in stores, made by one of the Polish chocolate manufacturers, Wedel, since it didn’t make proper chocolate due to raw material shortages.
Greg says
Interesting! Thanks for sharing, Maigwen! 🙂
Marguerite says
My Syrian sister in law has made this for years and I had no idea it was so easy! She always makes extra for my youngest to take home because he loves it so much. Now I have to decide whether to make it for him myself – or continue feigning ignorance and let it remain one of her “specialties.” (She is an excellent cook and has several dishes my boys always look forward to having at her house – and have missed since last March.)
Greg says
LOL, now you know the secret! I had no idea it was such a popular cake across the sea! 🙂
Janice says
In England this is known as Chocolate Biscuit Cake. Prince William had it as his groom’s cake when he married Kate Middleton.
Greg says
Wow, a royal cake – that’s awesome! 🙂
Paolina Dessai says
Hi Greg,
This is the exact recipe my grandma used to make for us! The only difference is she shaped it as a salami, and we called it sweet salami. It was my favorite and haven’t eaten it many, many years. I am a Bulgarian( next door to Turkey) and this dessert was popular during Communist time, probably with the short list of ingredients and that they were available at all times.
I enjoy reading your posts a lot!
Thank you!
Greg says
That’s right! Handan said that you can shape it any way you like. I love the term “sweet salami!”
PeeJay from MA says
Yum, chocolate and easy. Thank you for sharing, and occasionally oversharing (lol). Just wondering if you’ve ever added nuts to this recipe and if so would you need to change the ratios of anything? I’m guessing probably not so much, perhaps a few less cookies (I’ll just have to eat those, now won’t I?) thought I’d ask, if anyone out there has input I’d appreciate it.
Greg says
I haven’t, but it would taste great! I don’t think you’d need to adjust anything.
Sue says
It’s really good with chopped dried apricots in the mix as well 🙂
Greg says
Oh, yeah! And Turks have the best apricots! 🙂
Deborah says
Greg, this looks so yummy. I prefer not so sweet cookies, myself. As for men in the kitchen, you do realize the most famous chefs are men, don’t you? My husband does most of the cooking, but I do have my own recipes he asks for. Meatloaf, spaghetti, and fajitas. There are a few more. Love this post. You are such a good husband.
Greg says
I do, Deborah, but in my experience, most guys don’t know a ladle from a larder, lol!
Sandi says
In the UK this is called Chocolate Tiffin. It may have raisins as well. Thanks for sharing
Greg says
So cool that every country seems to have its own version of this!
Franki Parde says
Well…who knew!!! I am CRAVING chocolate and I HAVE ALL THOSE items “on hand”….I think you saved a life here…my husband’s…franki
Greg says
LOL, glad to hear it! That’s what is so great about this cake – the ingredients are almost always on hand!
MizzMo says
I think the suggested servings may be off – it states “8” and seems more like “1” ?
We are soooo making this – thanks so much for the recipe!
Greg says
LOL! 😀
Bernice says
That’s funny! Thanks for sharing! ?
Gaëtane says
I made this using social tea biscuits, it turned out real nice. Just the right sweetness as recipe says. Thank you for sharing the history of the recipe!
From Northern Ontario Canada! ??
Greg says
I’m glad you liked it, Gaëtane!
Chris says
And in Russia – chocolate sausage, there are also nuts. I love this cake:)
Greg says
Chocolate sausage – I love it! Thanks, Chris!
rk says
While I am not for desserts, this one piqued my interest. I might try this one actually when we have guests lol. Fortunately for me, my husband is a great cook although I also cook a lot and we are all foodies here. TFS this easy recipe because when I have guests, I can cook a feast but when it comes to desserts, I couldn’t bake to save my life! Best wishes to you both.
Regards,
Rupa
Greg says
I hear you! Usually when I cook for guests, I put so much effort and energy into the main course that dessert never even crosses my mind, lol! 🙂
Anatoli says
I had no idea this was made so many places— I know this as a Russian side for when we have tea. It is known as “choco sausage” and cut into slices like pepperoni. Sometimes my mum likes to make it with crushed popcorn for a new take on it.