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Postre Chajá
DessertUruguayan

Postre Chajá

Postre Chajá is a classic Uruguayan dessert that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully baked or prepared featuring Egg, All purpose flour, Cornstarch, Egg White, Dulce de leche, Heavy Cream, Vanilla Extract, Peaches, Peach Juice and Cornstarch, the components balance delicate sweetness and satisfying texture.

Enjoy warm or chilled alongside fresh vanilla custard, whipped cream, or a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea for a comforting finish to your meal.

If you enjoy authentic Uruguayan cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Chocolate Alfajores.

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Ingredients

  • Egg5
  • Sugar100g
  • SaltPinch
  • All purpose flour75g
  • Cornstarch30g
  • Egg White1
  • Sugar50g
  • Dulce de leche200g
  • Heavy Cream400g
  • Vanilla Extract1 tsp
  • Sugar40g
  • Peaches500g
  • Peach Juice50 ml
  • Cornstarch1 tsp

Step-by-Step Instructions

42 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1🔥 Preheat

For the sponge cake preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius and prepare either one or two 20cm/8 inch cake pan(s).

Step 2

Line bottom with parchment paper.

Step 3

Then divide the eggs into egg white and egg yolks.

Step 4

Use a bigger bowl for the egg yolks.

Step 5

If you have a glass or metal bowl, use that one for the egg whites.

Step 6

Be sure that bowl is free of fat/grease and that your mixer was properly cleaned.

Step 7🥄 Mix

First beat the egg whites on medium speed with a pinch of salt until soft peaks form.

Step 8

Set aside.

Step 9🥄 Mix

Without cleaning our mixer, beat the egg yolks with the sugar.

Step 10🥄 Mix

Beat until the color becomes much paler and you have a creamy consistency.

Step 11

This usually takes several minutes.

Step 12

2

Step 13

Gently pour one third of the egg whites on top of the mixed egg yolks and sift the flour and cornstarch on top.

Step 14

Don't skip this step.

Step 15🥄 Mix

It is important that the flour mix was sifted.

Step 16🥄 Mix

Gently mix all ingredients with a spatula.

Step 17🥄 Mix

Try to incorperate the flour mix and egg whites without losing volume.

Step 18

Add the last two thirds of beaten egg whites and gently fold the mixture.

Step 19

Don't overmix.

Step 20🥧 Bake

Put batter into the prepared cake pans and immediately bake.

Step 21

Don't let the batter sit for too long as it will quickly lose volume.

Step 22🥧 Bake⏱️ 35 minutes

Bake for 35 minutes if using one springform or 25 minutes if using two.

Step 23

Let cool a little before gently getting them out of the form.

Step 24

Tip: if making the day before, wrap in cling wrap, it is much easier to cut in half once cold.

Step 25

3

Step 26🥄 Mix

For the meringue beat egg white until soft peaks form, add pinch of salt and continue beating on high while adding the sugar.

Step 27🥄 Mix

Beat for at least three more minutes until glossy and shiny.

Step 28

Pipe small stars or other shapes with the meringue on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 29⏱️ 45min

Dry for about 45min at 100 degrees Celsius in the oven.

Step 30

Keep in airtight container until further use.

Step 31

4

Step 32🥄 Mix

For the filling beat heavy cream, vanilla extract and sugar until stiff peaks form, slice peaches in thin slices.

Step 33

Cut cake in four layers, this is much easier done once the cake layers are cold.

Step 34

Brush cake layer with some of the peach juice left, then pipe thin layer of whipped cream around the edges, place the peach slices in the middle on first layer on cake, on the second layer only spread the dulce de leche.

Step 35

Repeat layer with brushed peach juice, whipped cream and peaches for the third and final layer.

Step 36

Be sure to reserve enough peach slices for the top.

Step 37

Spread thin layer of whipped cream on the sides of the cake and pipe on some roses around the edges if desired.

Step 38🥄 Mix

Heat the peach juice and mix the cornstarch with a bit of water until you see no lumps.

Step 39🥄 Mix

Once juice is hot, add the cornstarch and stir until glaze thickenes.

Step 40

Pour over peaches of the top layer cake.

Step 41

Crush the meringue and pat around the sides.

Step 42✨ Serve

Serve immediately.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Postre Chajá carries a rich culinary tradition rooted in regional home cooking. Developed over generations, the recipe highlights wholesome local ingredients prepared with time-honored kitchen techniques.

Dietary Substitutions

If using instant dry yeast instead of active dry yeast, you can mix it directly into the dry ingredients without proofing first, reducing wait time by 15 minutes.

Chef Technique Tips

Always ensure liquids used to activate the yeast are comfortably lukewarm (around 38°C–42°C / 100°F–108°F); liquid that is too hot will kill the yeast, while cold liquid delays proofing. Keep the dough in a warm, draft-free spot to rise.

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