London has always absorbed the food traditions of the people who call it home. Italian coffee bars in the 1950s. French patisseries in the 1980s. Japanese ramen in the 2000s. Each wave brings something new to the table — and gradually, quietly, it becomes part of what London eats.
Ukrainian baking is one of the less visible of these traditions. It hasn’t had its moment of mainstream recognition yet. But for those who know it, it represents some of the finest baking in the world — technically demanding, deeply flavourful, and rooted in a tradition that stretches back centuries.
What Is Ukrainian Baking?
Ukrainian baking is a culture built around the home kitchen — around grandmothers who baked the same recipes for decades, around celebrations that demanded something genuinely special. The hallmarks are patience and precision. The cakes are not quick. They involve multiple components — pastry sheets baked individually, creams cooked from scratch, assembly that takes time. They are designed to be made with care, and to show it.
The Cakes You Should Know
Medovik (Honey Cake)
Medovik is probably the most beloved cake in Ukrainian home baking. Thin layers of honey-infused sponge — each one baked separately — stacked with a light, tangy soured cream filling. The honey gives it a warmth and depth that is unlike anything in Western baking. The key to Medovik is time: it must rest overnight before serving. As it sits, the filling softens the sponge layers into something yielding and extraordinary. Our Honey Cake is made entirely from scratch using a recipe our Ukrainian pastry chef has been refining for years. It serves 10–12 and is priced at £55.
Napoleon Cake
Napoleon is the formal cake of Eastern European tradition — the one that appears at milestone birthdays and dinners that matter. Dozens of paper-thin puff pastry sheets, each one rolled and baked individually, stacked with a rich vanilla custard cream. Visually dramatic, technically demanding, and deeply rewarding to eat. For many Ukrainian families, it is simply “the cake”. Our Napoleon Cake is available in two sizes — 6–8 servings (£55) or 12–14 servings (£95) — made to order in our Richmond kitchen.
Varenyky, Pampushky, and Beyond
Ukrainian baking extends far beyond cakes. Varenyky — stuffed dumplings, sometimes sweet, filled with cherries or cottage cheese — are a staple of Ukrainian home cooking. Pampushky are soft, pillowy doughnuts. Medivnyk is a honey bread, related to Medovik but denser and spiced. These traditions are less visible in London, but they exist — in home kitchens, community gatherings, and small independent bakeries like ours.
Ukrainian Baking in Richmond
WOLK Cakes is based inside our coffee shop at 16 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 6UA. Our pastry chef grew up in Ukraine and learned to bake there — the Honey Cake and Napoleon Cake on our menu are rooted in that tradition, made entirely from scratch using recipes developed over years. All cakes are baked to order with a minimum of 2 working days’ notice. If you’re curious about Ukrainian baking and want to try it for the first time, start with the Honey Cake. Browse the full range at wolkcakes.co.uk.