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Traditional Russian Honey Cake (Medovik) Recipe

Traditional Russian Honey Cake (Medovik) Recipe


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4.7 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes to overnight
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Russian Honey Cake (Medovik) brings generations of family memories right to your kitchen table. Delicate layers of honey-infused cake melt together with creamy sour cream frosting, creating a dessert that whispers stories of Russian home cooking and warm afternoons.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Supporting Ingredients:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Finishing Ingredients:

  • ½ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Craft a golden honey mixture by melting ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup honey, and ¾ cup granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until smooth and fragrant.
  2. Remove the honey base from heat and whisk in 2 large eggs one at a time until the mixture becomes glossy and well-incorporated.
  3. Stir 1 teaspoon baking soda into 2½ cups all-purpose flour, then gradually fold into the honey mixture until a soft, pliable dough forms.
  4. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and roll each piece into a thin 9-inch circle on parchment paper using a cake ring as a guide.
  5. Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake each layer separately for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
  6. Allow cake layers to cool completely on a wire rack, which helps them set and become more manageable.
  7. Whip 1 cup heavy whipping cream until soft peaks develop at medium-high speed for about 3 minutes.
  8. In a separate bowl, blend 2 cups sour cream with ½ cup powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
  9. Gently fold the whipped cream into the sour cream mixture to create a light, airy frosting.
  10. Assemble the cake by layering a cake disc with frosting, repeating until all layers are used and fully covered.
  11. Spread remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, creating an even coating.
  12. Refrigerate the assembled cake for 6-8 hours or overnight to allow layers to soften and flavors to meld.

Notes

  • Chill the dough before rolling to make it easier to handle and prevent sticking.
  • Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to get clean, even cake layers when cutting the rolled-out dough.
  • For a smoother cream, ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before mixing.
  • Letting the assembled cake rest overnight in the refrigerator helps the layers soften and develop a more complex flavor, making the texture wonderfully tender.
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40-56 minutes
  • Category: Cakes
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Russian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 420 kcal
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg