Filipino Sans Rival Cake

A cashew meringue and French buttercream cake like no other.

Hi Bakers!

It’s been a rich and buttery week in the Huff kitchen. After nailing the Tiramisu Pie just in time for Father’s Day, I was stoked to make this equally delicious and decadent Sans Rival Cake. With layers of chewy cashew meringue and luscious French buttercream, this cake definitely stands up to its name.

Sans Rival, meaning “without rival” is a dessert truly in a class of its own. While the pastry techniques and name are French, the cake is decidedly Filipino. The recipe traces back to the Philippines during the 1920-30’s, but the origins have been disputed. 

Some say that the Sans Rival was created after many Filipinos traveled to Europe to work and study around that time. The cake is undoubtedly similar to the French dacquoise. Instead of hazelnuts, the Sans Rival is made with cashews native to the Philippines. 

It makes sense that these French cooking techniques would be employed using local ingredients after returning back to the Philippines. However, another journalist clai…