Chaja is the famous luscious and extremely naughty cake of Uruguay. It is often described as a Uruguayan sponge cake filled with peaches and whipped cream.
Chaja was invented by Orlando Castellano, owner of a tearoom in Paysandú, Northern Uruguay in 1927. He prepared this very sweet concoction, invited his friend to try, who responded saying it was light and soft, just like the South American indigenous Chajá bird (also called silent screamer). The light, airy texture of the dessert resembles the fluffy exterior of the chajá bird.
