Derived from French-style baking techniques, sans rival has cross-cultural roots. The name of the cake—sometimes written sansrival—means “beyond competition” or literally “without rival.” With buttercream, nuts, and meringue, it is indeed a special dessert. This Filipino layered dessert arrived in the Philippines by students returning from French universities in the 1920s and '30s. Sans rival cake represents their adaptation of French recipes to the produce available in the Philippines, including nuts like pistachios and cashews. The dish was later brought to the United States by Filipino immigrants.
Recipe Servings: