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What to eat in Russia? Top 6 Russian Cakes

Last update: Fri Feb 14 2025
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01

Cake

RUSSIA
4.4
Medovik
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Medovik is a popular Russian layered honey cake consisting of honey-infused, almost biscuit-like sponges that are coated with thin layers of cream. Although there are numerous variations of the cake, the custard is usually prepared with whipped cream or various combinations of condensed milk and butter.


It is believed that the cake first appeared in the 1820s and was initially created for the wife of Alexander I of Russia. The addition of condensed milk probably originates from the Soviet era, while modern variations may include berries or even chocolate. 

MOST ICONIC Medovik

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02
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Napolyeon tort is a traditional cake consisting of layers of thin and flaky puff pastry and a rich and smooth pastry cream sandwiched between the layers. The layers are usually made with a combination of flour, salt, butter, white vinegar, a bit of vodka, and eggs, while the pastry cream usually consists of milk, egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch.


Each baked layer is topped with pastry cream and a frosting made with a combination of butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream. The frosting is also added to the sides and top of the cake, which can be additionally decorated with cake sprinkles, berries, nuts, or chocolate shavings, if desired. 
03

Cake

MOSCOW, Russia
4.1
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One of Russia's most beloved desserts, ptichye moloko is a decadent cake famous for its reversed cake-to-filling ratio: the thick, but exceptionally light, almost soufflé-like layers of silky custard are separated by thin, fluffy, and moist layers of sponge cake, while the whole confection is topped with a rich chocolate ganache glaze.


Ptichye moloko was first made in 1978 by Vladimir Guralnik, who was the head patisserie chef at Moscow's prestigious Praga restaurant. And just like the popular milk-flavored, meringue-filled candy bar that inspired Guralnik to make the cake version, the Russian ptichye moloko (lit. bird's milk) got its whimsical name as a reference to an old idiom denoting "something so exquisite, delicate and rare it probably doesn't even exist". 

MOST ICONIC Ptichye moloko

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04
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Smetannik is a traditional layer cake. It's usually made with a combination of flour, sugar, eggs, honey, and a sour cream frosting consisting of sour cream, vanilla, cream cheese, and milk. The cake is traditionally made in a deep pan. Once done, it is recommended to let smetannik rest in the fridge overnight, and the next day it's cut into individual pieces and served.


Smetannik is especially popular at birthdays and similar festive occasions.

MOST ICONIC Smetannik

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05

Cake

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia
3.9
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Nevsky pirog is a traditional sweet pie or a cake dating back to Soviet times, when it was regularly sold in small eateries or cafés, often by the slice. It is made from soft leavened dough that's soaked with syrup and filled with butter-based cream in the middle.


The dough is made with flour, sugar, butter, water, salt, eggs, and yeast. Once risen, it's baked until brown and shiny (due to the egg wash), and it's then soaked with syrup consisting of sugar, cognac, and water. The cream is made with butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and condensed milk. 
06
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Mishka na severe or Bear in the North started as an iconic Soviet candy from Leningrad, but over time it's been made into a cake inspired by the candy's flavors. Although there's no standard recipe, and every household had its own version, the cake's layers are usually made with a combination of flour, sugar, sour cream, butter, cocoa powder, baking soda, vanilla, and salt, while the creamy filling that goes between the layers is made with sour cream, powdered sugar, and walnuts or hazelnuts.


Once assembled, the surface of the cake is covered with the remaining creamy filling, and it's then decorated with chopped nuts. After it has been well chilled, it's recommended to serve the cake with a cup of tea on the side.

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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Russian Cakes