This Russian Honey Cake (Medovik) is a rich and layered dessert featuring honey-flavored layers, dulce de leche, and a smooth, whipped honey cream. The cake requires patience and multiple steps but is sure to impress anyone who tries it.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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Cake Layers
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1 1/2 cups (18 ounces) wildflower honey, divided
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1/4 cup (2 ounces) water
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1 cup + 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
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14 tablespoons (7 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
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6 large eggs
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2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
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2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt or 1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt, divided
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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3 3/4 cups (16 ounces) all-purpose flour
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Frosting
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1 1/4 cups (one 13.4-ounce can) dulce de leche
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4 3/4 cups heavy cream, chilled and divided
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Directions
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Prepare the Layers: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Trace 9-inch circles on 12 pieces of parchment paper. Set aside.
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Water Bath for Honey: Fill a small saucepan with 1 inch of water, set over medium heat. Place 3/4 cup of honey in a 2-quart saucepan and heat on high until it simmers and foams. Reduce the heat and cook until it begins to smoke, then turn off the heat. Carefully add 1/4 cup water and whisk until combined. Pour into a heatproof measuring cup and place in a warm water bath.
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Make the Honey-Sugar Mixture: Fill a medium saucepan with 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup burned honey, 3/4 cup honey, sugar, and butter. Place the bowl over the simmering water, stirring until the butter melts.
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Add Eggs and Cinnamon: Crack the eggs into a small bowl. In another bowl, combine baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (or 3/4 teaspoon fine salt), and cinnamon. When the butter mixture is warm, whisk in the eggs, followed by the cinnamon mixture. Continue whisking for 30 seconds. Remove the bowl from the heat and let it cool.
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Incorporate Flour: Sift 3 3/4 cups flour over the batter in three batches, whisking thoroughly each time. The batter should be smooth. Divide the batter in half and cover with plastic wrap. Place one half in a warm spot.
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Bake the Layers: Spoon a heaping 1/3 cup of batter onto parchment paper and spread into a circular layer. Repeat for each layer, making 11-12 layers. Bake for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and springy to the touch. Remove layers from parchment and cool completely. Trim any uneven edges with a sharp knife.
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Toast the Layers: Once the layers are cooled, reduce the oven temperature to 250°F. Place any less-perfect layers back in the oven for about 15 minutes, until deep reddish-brown and dry. Grind them into fine crumbs using a food processor.
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Make the Frosting: Combine 1/2 cup burned honey, dulce de leche, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Slowly whisk in 3/4 cup of heavy cream and chill for 30 minutes. In a stand mixer, whip the remaining 4 cups heavy cream to soft peaks, then add the honey mixture and whip to medium-stiff peaks.
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Assemble the Cake: Place the first layer on a serving plate. Spread a heaping cup of frosting on top and continue layering with frosting between each layer. Once all layers are stacked, frost the top and sides of the cake, covering any exposed cake edges. Sprinkle with cake crumbs.
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Chill and Serve: Chill the cake overnight in the fridge. Serve chilled. Leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days.
Nutritional Information (per serving, estimated)
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Calories: ~450-500 kcal
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Fat: ~30 g
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Saturated Fat: ~15 g
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Monounsaturated Fat: ~8 g
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Cholesterol: ~75 mg
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Sodium: ~350-450 mg
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Potassium: ~100-150 mg
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Carbohydrates: ~55 g
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Fiber: ~1-2 g
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Sugar: ~40-45 g
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Protein: ~5 g
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Vitamin A: ~10% DV
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Vitamin C: ~2-4% DV
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Calcium: ~2-5% DV
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Iron: ~5-7% DV
A Deliciously Complex Cake
Medovik’s defining characteristic is its complex texture, which comes from the multiple layers of honey-infused cake and the creamy frosting that binds them all together. The cake layers themselves are soft, delicate, and slightly chewy, with a deep honey flavor that’s perfectly complemented by a velvety, whipped honey cream. The layers are thin but hearty enough to hold up to the richness of the frosting, giving you a balanced bite each time.
The addition of dulce de leche in the frosting brings a caramel-like sweetness that perfectly enhances the honey flavor, while the layers of cake offer a satisfying contrast. The combination of these ingredients creates a dessert that feels luxurious but also comforting, making it perfect for gatherings or just a sweet treat to enjoy at home.
The Significance of Honey in the Cake
The use of honey is what truly sets Medovik apart from other layered cakes. Honey not only adds natural sweetness, but it also contributes to the cake’s texture and moisture. In many Russian homes, honey was historically used as a preservative and sweetener, making it a key ingredient in traditional recipes. In Medovik, honey plays a starring role, infusing the cake with a subtle floral sweetness that deepens as the cake chills and the flavors meld together.
The honey also helps to create a slightly chewy texture in the cake layers, which is one of the reasons why this dessert has such a unique and pleasant mouthfeel. The richness of the honey flavor intensifies as the cake is allowed to sit, so making this cake a day in advance allows the layers to soften and soak up the frosting, resulting in a truly delightful dessert.
Patience and Precision in Making Medovik
One of the challenges in making Russian Honey Cake is the multiple steps required to achieve the perfect texture and flavor. The process begins with carefully heating the honey to create a caramelized, slightly burnt honey that imparts a rich depth of flavor. This honey is then combined with other ingredients like butter and sugar to create a batter that forms the foundation for the cake layers.
It’s important to handle the batter carefully, as overmixing or underbaking the layers can affect the texture of the cake. The layers need to be baked just enough to create a golden-brown color while remaining soft and flexible. The thinness of each layer is crucial to the success of the cake, and they must be stacked with care to create a seamless, multi-layered effect.
Additionally, once the layers are baked and cooled, they must be toasted to achieve the signature crispy edges and slightly darker color. This step enhances the honey flavor and gives the cake its distinct layered appearance. The process of grinding the toasted layers into fine crumbs and using them to garnish the cake adds an extra level of texture and visual appeal, completing the overall look of the dessert.
The Importance of the Frosting
The frosting is another critical component that helps to tie the entire cake together. The combination of dulce de leche and heavy cream creates a smooth, creamy frosting that’s rich but not overly sweet. Dulce de leche, which is a caramelized milk spread, adds a depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with the honey in the cake layers.
Whipping the cream to the right consistency is essential to achieving the right texture for the frosting. The goal is to create a frosting that’s light enough to spread easily between the layers but thick enough to hold its shape when applied to the cake. The result is a perfectly balanced frosting that complements the honey and the cake layers, without overwhelming them.
A Labor of Love: Assembling the Cake
Assembling Medovik requires a delicate touch. Once all of the cake layers have been baked, cooled, and toasted, they are stacked with generous layers of frosting between each one. The process of layering and frosting each cake layer is time-consuming, but it’s essential to ensure the cake has an even distribution of frosting, which helps bind the layers together and prevents them from becoming too dry.
The final touch is the sprinkling of cake crumbs over the top and sides of the cake. These crumbs not only add a rustic, homemade charm to the cake, but they also provide a pleasant crunch that contrasts with the creamy frosting and soft cake layers. This finishing step enhances the overall texture and presentation of the cake, giving it an inviting and appetizing appearance.
Chilling and Storing the Cake
One of the most important steps in making Medovik is allowing the cake to chill for an extended period of time. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together and the cake layers to absorb the moisture from the frosting, resulting in a cake that’s soft, moist, and full of flavor. While it may be tempting to serve the cake immediately after assembling it, chilling it overnight is crucial to getting the best texture and flavor.
The cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, making it a great option for preparing ahead of time. The longer the cake sits, the more the flavors develop, so if you can wait, Medovik becomes even more delicious the day after it’s made.
Medovik’s Appeal and Versatility
The appeal of Russian Honey Cake lies not only in its taste but also in its versatility. While it is a traditional Russian dessert, Medovik has found fans all over the world due to its unique combination of flavors and textures. Its richness and complexity make it perfect for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or family gatherings, but it’s also a great treat for anyone looking to try something new and different.
Moreover, Medovik can be adapted to suit various tastes. For instance, while the traditional recipe calls for a honey and dulce de leche frosting, you can experiment with different flavors if you want to customize the cake. Adding spices like cardamom or vanilla to the frosting, or even incorporating a fruit layer, can bring new dimensions to this already incredible cake.
Conclusion: A Cake Worth the Effort
Russian Honey Cake (Medovik) is truly a labor of love, but the result is well worth the time and effort. The layers of honey-infused cake, combined with the creamy frosting, create a dessert that is both rich and delicate. With its complex flavors, smooth texture, and impressive presentation, Medovik is sure to become a favorite for any occasion. Although the process may be a bit involved, the end result is a dessert that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries it. If you’re looking for a unique, indulgent treat that’s perfect for special occasions, this Russian Honey Cake is the dessert you’ve been searching for.