International Cuisine

Exploring the world through food.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
  • Journey by Country
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • My Cookbook

Russian Honey Cake (Medovik)

March 7, 2019 By Darlene at International Cuisine

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Jump to Recipe  ↓ Print Recipe  ❒
Russian Honey Cake

Russian honey cake called Medovik has been a tradition for centuries.  It is a layered cake with honey cookie like segments called korzh, that soften in between cream.  It is best served after refrigeration when the layers actually absorb the cream and soften.  It is often topped with berries but sometimes served plain with just cream.   I am often intimidated by a layered cake but this one was pretty easy to make and well worth the effort. It works well to use a spring form pan which you can use to cut out the proper size layers.

Russian Honey Cake

Honey has been considered the nectar of the Gods.  It is no surprise that ancient people figured out how to mix flour and honey together to make delectable treats.  These treats were used as offerings.  Honey has many health benefits and this honey is my favorite, Manuka Honey

This particular Russian honey cake called Medovik has a story.  In the Imperial Palace in the 19th century Empress Elizabeth (wife of Emperor Alexander I) hated honey.   A new confectioner was hired and did not realize this of the Empress and presented this delightful cake.  She did not realize it had honey in it and fell in love.

Today there are numerous variations of this Russian honey cake called Medovik.  Some are made sweetened condensed milk, butter  cream and custards.  This recipe is the original made with cream and is scrumptious.

Did you know that Lake Baikal in Russia holds 20 percent of the worlds fresh water?  If you would like to learn more about Russia be sure to check out “Our Journey to Russia“.  Get great authentic recipes and be sure to join the journey when you stop by, it’s free!

Craving even more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

Please note that this page contains affiliate links in which I will earn a small commission however, it will in no way affect the price you pay. I thank you for your support!

Russian Honey Cake
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Russian Honey Cake (Medovik)

A scrumptious layered honey cake with a history!
Course Dessert
Cuisine Russian
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 25 minutes
Refrigerate 12 hours
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 517kcal
Author Darlene at International Cuisine

Ingredients

Ingredients:

    Honey Cake Layers

    • 1/4 cup honey
    • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 3 large eggs whisked
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour

    For the Filling

    • 32 oz. sour cream
    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

    For the Topping:

    • 1/2 lb. Fresh Berries optional

    Instructions

    Instructions:

      For the layers (Korzh)

      • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
      • Add 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup honey and 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter to a medium sauce pan and melt them together over medium/low heat, whisking occasionally until sugar is melted. You need to watch closely and make sure the heat is not too hot or you will scorch the mixture.
      • As soon as the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and while it’s still hot, add in your beaten eggs in a slow steady stream while whisking vigorously until all of your eggs are incorporated (whisk constantly so you don’t end up with scrambled eggs).
      • Whisk in the baking soda until no lumps remain, then fold in your 3 cups flour 1/2 cup at a time with a spatula until the dough is no longer sticky and firm. You may need more or less flour which is why you are adding ½ cup at a time. You want to end up with a clay like consistency.
      • Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces and move on to the next step quickly as the layers roll out much easier while warm.
      • 6.. On a well-floured surface, roll each piece out into a thin 9″ circle, about 1/8″ thick. Use extra flour on your rolling pin to keep the dough from sticking. If your dough turns cool, stick in the microwave for a few seconds and resume.
      • Place a 9″ plate or base from a springform mold over your rolled dough and trace around it with a pizza cutter to get a perfect circle. Keep the scraps for later.
      • Transfer the dough to a large sheet of parchment paper and bake 2 at a time for 4-5 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before stacking. Repeat with remaining layers
      • Finally bake the scraps. Once the scraps are baked, cooled and firm, put them in a Ziploc bag and you can crush them with your rolling pin. These are your honey cake crumbs.

      For the Frosting:

      • Beat 1 cup heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
      • In a separate bowl, whisk together 32 oz. sour cream with 2 cups powdered sugar. Fold the whipped cream into the sour cream. Refrigerate until ready to use.

      Putting it all Together

      • Spread about 1/3 cup cream on each cake layer. Press the cake layers down gently as you go to keep the layers from having air bubbles. Frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting. ( make sure to put plenty in between the layers as this helps soften the korzh).
      • Dust the top and sides with your honey cake crumbs, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. This allows the cream to soften the honey cake or korzh.
      • Add the berries on top if using and serve.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 183mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 890IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 1.8mg

      Sharing is caring!

      • Facebook
      • Twitter

      Filed Under: Dessert, Recipes, Russia

      « Our Journey to Russia
      Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad) »
      Symbols of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan a tea pot, cotton, wheat, an apple, and pictures of their national animals an Uzbek cat and markhor.

      Our Journey to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan

      How did they get their Names? Both of these countries are named for early, ...

      Read More »

      Symbols of Taiwan, a flag, plum blossoms, black bear, butterfly, baseball bat, teapot and a mask.

      Our Journey to Taiwan

      How did Taiwan get its name? Portuguese explorers, back in the mid 1500s, ...

      Read More »

      This Week’s Recipes

      A plateful of Togolese Spaghetti Salad

      Togolese Spaghetti Salad

      A plateful of Togolese grilled chicken served with djenkoume, a tomato cornmeal

      Togo Grilled Chicken Recipe

      a mound of Togolese tomato cornmeal called Djenkoume

      Togo Djenkoume Tomato Cornmeal Recipe

      Welcome to International Cuisine

      Hello my name is Darlene and thank you for stopping by!

      I am cooking a meal from every country in the world. I do extensive research and choose a menu that I feel best represents the country and their cuisine. Of course that also includes the authentic, delicious recipes. Simply click on the link or the photo in the journey by country posts to get them. I also share important information about the country as well.

      I love to cook, photograph, and especially travel. I hope you enjoy this culinary and cultural adventure around the world. Be sure to join the journey so you don't miss a thing. It's free!

      Our Mission

      To promote cultural appreciation by cooking our way across the world, one nation at a time. To discover the struggles and joys that have influenced the people, to gain an appreciation of their land and traditions and to feel the hospitality that only sharing a meal can convey.

      Come join the journey, explore a new country each week and embark on a fantastic culinary adventure.

      Connect and share with Us

      • Instagram
      • Pinterest

      Join the Journey It’s Free!

      Sign up for my culinary, travel and cultural adventure delivered right to your inbox so you won't miss a thing.

      Copyright International Cuisine 2014-2021 All Rights Reserved