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Russian Honey Layer Cake (Medovik)

Shilpa
This Russian honey cake (Medovik) is made with soft, honey-kissed layers and a light, tangy whipped cream frosting. Each bite melts in your mouth, bursting with cozy honey flavor and creamy richness. A beautiful make-ahead dessert that gets even better with time!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chilling time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine Russian
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

Dough Layers:

  • 110 g Butter (unsalted) ½ cup
  • 90 g Sugar ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp
  • 90 g Honey ¼ cup
  • 3 Eggs (room temperature) room temperature
  • 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 tsp Baking soda
  • 500 g All-purpose flour 4 cups (approx)

Cream Filling:

  • 300 g Whipping Cream (chilled) chilled – 1¼ cups
  • 30 g powdered sugar – 1/4 cup ¼ cup
  • 260 g Sour cream 1 cup
  • 50 g Honey 2 tbsp

Instructions
 

Prepare the Honey Dough

  • In a heat-proof bowl, add butter, sugar, and honey.
  • Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Let it sit for a few seconds.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with vanilla.
  • Stir the honey-butter mixture until melted and smooth.
  • Slowly whisk in the eggs, bit by bit, to avoid scrambling.
  • Add baking soda. Mix until combined.
  • Take the bowl off the heat. Sift in flour in parts. Mix into a soft dough.
  • Divide into 12 equal portions (~78g each), and cover with a damp towel.

Roll and Bake the Layers

  • Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F.
  • Flour your surface and roll each dough ball into a 1mm-thick sheet.
  • Use a cake ring or bowl to cut a 15cm circle.
  • Transfer to baking paper, prick all over with a fork.
  • Bake each for 5–7 minutes or until lightly golden.
  • Cool on a wire rack.

Honeycomb Decoration (optional)

  • On one dough disc, score hexagon shapes lightly with a knife before baking.
  • Bake any leftover scraps until golden and dry.
  • Grind them into crumbs for decorating the sides later.

Make the Frosting

  • Beat chilled whipping cream with powdered sugar until thick and fluffy.
  • Fold in sour cream and honey. Mix until smooth and creamy.

Assemble the Cake

  • Stack the layers, spreading 2 spoonfuls of cream between each.
  • Frost the top and sides.
  • Press the powdered crumbs onto the sides.
  • Arrange baked hexagons on top like a honeycomb.
  • Refrigerate overnight for best flavor and texture.

Notes

Storage:
  • Room temperature: Not ideal due to the cream—keep it chilled.
  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Tastes better from Day 2 onwards!
  • Freezer: Freeze individual slices or the whole cake (well wrapped) for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Keyword cakes, honey, layer cake, layers