Description
This Russian Honey Cake (Medovik) is a classic layered dessert made with honey-sweetened cake rounds and a tangy sour cream filling. Each bite is soft, luscious, and delicately sweet—the perfect showstopper for holidays, birthdays, or any special occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cake Layers:
½ cup honey (good quality for best flavor)
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
~4 cups all-purpose flour (measured carefully)
For the Filling & Frosting:
4 cups sour cream (full-fat for best texture)
1½ cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Garnishes:
Crumbled cake scraps
Fresh berries or mint for decoration
Instructions
In a saucepan, melt honey, sugar, and butter over low heat until smooth and combined. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Whisk in eggs one at a time, then stir in baking soda.
Gradually add flour until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Divide into 7–8 equal portions, shape into discs, and let rest for 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll each dough portion into a thin circle. Bake on parchment-lined sheets for 5–7 minutes until golden. Keep scraps for garnish.
In a bowl, whisk sour cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
Assemble cake: layer cake rounds with cream, repeating until all layers are used. Coat the top and sides with remaining cream.
Decorate with crumbled scraps, berries, or mint. Chill for 6–8 hours (overnight is best) before slicing.
Notes
The cake tastes better the next day as the cream softens the layers.
Layers can be baked 2 days in advance and stored airtight.
Substitute half the sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter filling.
Freezer-friendly: wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Russian / Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: ~420
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
