When it comes to comfort desserts that whisper nostalgia with every bite, few treats compare to Cusma Lui Guguta (Coo-shma l-ooh-ee g-oo-goo-tza), a whimsical, pyramid-shaped cake made of delicate crepes rolled with marinated cherries and strawberries. This Moldovan classic not only delights the tastebuds but also tells a sweet story of childhood, tradition, and charm. Today, I’m sharing my version of this beautiful crepe cake, infused with love, layered with fruit, and build with a nod to Moldova’s whimsical folklore.

Cusma lui Guguta, translates to “Guguta’s Hat”. But Guguta isn’t just any character – he’s a beloved Moldovan literary figure from a children’s book written by Spiridon Vangheli in the 1970s. Guguta is known for his iconic oversized sheepskin hat (cusma) that grows magically large enough to shelter all his friends from the snow. It’s a sweet symbol of hospitality, imagination, and community – the very heart of Moldovan culture.

The cake was inspired by this story: its story mimics the tall, fluffy hat of little Guguta, a tiered pyramid of rolled crepes stacked with care. The original version was filled with sour cherries, but over time, variations bloomed across Moldova and neighboring regions incorporating different fruits, cream fillings, and toppings. 

For my version, I like to mix in strawberries alongside the cherries and marinate them in a light syrup. It adds a tough of brightness and just the right amount of sweetness to complement the soft crepes and the airy whipped cream that holds the structure together. 

If you’ve ever made or eaten a mille-crep cake, this is its playful Moldovan cousin. Where the French style is more elegant and uniform, Cusma lui Guguta is rustic, cozy, and a little cheeky – like something a grandmother would make with love and a wink.

What I especially love about it is how interactive the process is. Each crepe is gently rolled with a stripe of marinated fruit, then the whole structure is built by layering the rolls into a peaked pyramid. It’s a cake you build slowly, thoughtfully, often with your fingers dusted in sugar and your kitchen scented with vanilla and cherries. 

It’s also a showstopper at the table. Slice into it, and each piece reveals rows of crepe spirals stained red with fruit, almost like stained glass windows in a sweet cathedral. 

What makes this cake more than just dessert, is its connection to storytelling. In Moldova, its cake made to be shared-among friends, at celebrations, during the cold months, when warmth is something we create together. It’s whimsical but deeply meaningful, a hat that shelters sweetness and love. When I serve this at the table, especially during holidays or to new friends, there’s always a moment of awe. People smile at the shape, laugh at the name, and then sigh with joy after that first bite. Food like this is more than flour and fruit – it’s history and heart. And I hope that with this recipe, you’ll fall in love with Guguta and his magical hat too.