What is Honey Cake? Ukraine's Most Beloved Layer Cake
Ask anyone who grew up in Ukraine or Russia what their favourite childhood cake is, and the answer is almost always the same: Honey Cake. Known as Medovik (медовик) in Russian and Ukrainian, it is one of those rare desserts that manages to be both deeply humble and quietly extraordinary. Here is the story behind it — and why it is worth seeking out in London.
What is Honey Cake?
Honey Cake is a traditional Eastern European layer cake made from thin, delicate sheets of honey-infused sponge, stacked with a light, tangy soured cream filling. Unlike heavier Western cakes, it is not sweet in an aggressive way. The honey gives it warmth and depth, while the soured cream filling keeps it light and slightly tart. Together, they create something that is greater than its parts.
What makes Honey Cake truly special is what happens after it is assembled. The soured cream slowly soaks into the sponge layers, softening them from crisp into something silky and almost custardy. This process takes time — at least several hours, ideally overnight — and it is why a properly rested Honey Cake tastes so different from one that has just been assembled.
The History of Honey Cake
The most famous origin story claims that Honey Cake was created by a young chef at the court of Tsar Alexander I in the 19th century. The Tsarina famously disliked honey and the chef, unaware of this, included it in a new dessert he presented to the royal court. The Tsar loved it, the Tsarina tried it without knowing the ingredients — and loved it too. The cake became a fixture of Russian and Ukrainian home baking, passed down through generations.
Whether or not the story is true, what is certain is that Medovik has been a staple of Eastern European kitchens for over two hundred years. Every family has their own version. Every grandmother has a slightly different recipe. It is that kind of cake.
What Does Honey Cake Taste Like?
Honey Cake is unlike anything you are likely to have tried in a British bakery. It is:
- Subtly sweet — the honey flavour is warm and rounded, never cloying
- Light and layered — the soured cream filling keeps it from feeling heavy
- Deeply aromatic — there is a faint caramel quality to the honey sponge
- Better the next day — the flavour genuinely improves as the layers settle
It is not a dramatic cake in appearance. It is quiet and unassuming. But the first bite tends to be a surprise — richer and more complex than it looks.
Honey Cake in London
Authentic Honey Cake is genuinely rare in London. It requires multiple individually baked sponge layers, a proper soured cream filling made from scratch, and enough resting time to allow the cake to come together properly. Most bakeries simply do not make it.
At WOLK Cakes in Richmond, our Honey Cake is made by our Ukrainian pastry chef using a recipe rooted in the tradition she grew up with, refined and perfected over years. Every layer is baked individually. The filling is made from scratch. The cake is assembled by hand and rested before collection.
It serves 10–12 people and costs £55. Available to order online with collection from our café at 16 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 6UA.
When Should You Order Honey Cake?
Honey Cake suits almost any occasion:
- Birthdays — a genuine alternative to the predictable sponge
- Family gatherings — it serves a crowd and slices beautifully
- Anyone who wants something different — familiar in feel, unfamiliar in flavour
- Gifts — it travels well and arrives looking elegant
We always recommend ordering at least a day before you need it. The cake is best after a night in the fridge, when the layers have fully softened and the flavours have had time to develop.
How to Order Honey Cake in Richmond
You can order our Honey Cake directly online at wolkcakes.co.uk. We require a minimum of 2 working days' notice. Collection is from our café at 16 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 6UA, Monday to Sunday, 07:30–17:30.
Come and find us. We would love to introduce you to it.
Also on the menu: Napoleon Cake, Basque Cheesecake, and Cinnamon Buns. Or read our guide to What is Basque Cheesecake.