Smetanik cake is a Russian sour cream cake with sour cream frosting. It’s not overly sweet and the cream feels really light and smooth. If you love moist cakes you can add sugar syrup to moisten it, if you’re more on the drier type cake then skip this step. You can also add raspberries (my fave..) or any other berries for a little sour sweetness. My family loves this cake, it’s one of our favorites.

Ingredients:

6 eggs

1 1/4 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon baking soda + 2 tablespoons vinegar(combined)

1 1/2 cup flour

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Cream/frosting:

8 ozs cream cheese

8 ozs condensed milk

1  1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Sugar syrup

1/2 cup cold boiling water with 1 tablespoon sugar for soaking

Optional-

raspberries,strawberries,blueberries,or bananas.

Direction:

Heat oven to 325 F degrees

Prepare two 9 inch cake pans lined with parchment paper and greased or sprayed with non-stick baking spray.

Beat eggs with sugar using electric mixer on high speed.

Add in sour cream,vanilla,and baking soda mixed with vinegar.

Continue to mix on medium-high speed until well incorporated.

Sift flour directly in the bowl with cake batter.

Mix gently using a whisk, always working one direction.

Divide mixture in half.

Add cocoa to one half,and mix it in with a whisk.

Pour cake batter into prepared cake pans. (1 for white cake,1 for chocolate cake)

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until when toothpick inserted and comes out clean.

Let cool.

Cream-

Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese on high speed, scraping the sides when needed.

Bring down the speed to medium and gradually add condensed milk.

Add in powdered sugar, sour cream, and vanilla.

Bring the speed up to high and continue mixing for about another minute or so.

Assembling-

Slice really carefully both cakes in half.

Cut off tiny amount of cake from around the sides of the cake.Set aside, we will need it for later.

Starting with chocolate layer, spray or pour (using a spoon) some sugar syrup on the cutted side of the cake layer.

Add good amount of cream.  If adding any berries or bananas, arrange them on top of cream.

Place white cake layer on top of cream, and repeat the steps. If adding berries or bananas, Arrange them on every other layer.

Using a shredder, Shred cake pieces in to tiny crumbs.

Add the crumbs to the sides and top of the cake. Or you can use chocolate/vanilla wafers or chocolate wafer candy (shredded)

Decorate with berries or as desired.

Refrigerate for at least 6 hours.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:154]

Dulce de leche Tiramisu cake is a well loved classic cake with a twist. This cake is replaced with sponge cake for lady fingers and with creamy dulce de leche frosting. Always perfect dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients for cake:

8 eggs

1 1/3 cups sugar

1 1/3 cup flour sifted

Cream:

4 ozs. cream cheese

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 can (8 ozs) cooked condensed milk or dulce de leche

17.5 ozs. mascarpone cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Other ingredients:

3/4 cup coffee

1/2 cup Kahlua liqueur

toasted hazelnuts (optional)

Directions:

On high speed beat eggs with sugar.

When the batter is stiff and light, add flour and mix it gently and well on low .

Pour the batter into 10 ”* round baking pan and bake for about 35-40 minutes.

Let the cake cool.

*if using 9” reduce to 7 eggs,1 1/4 cup sugar and flour.

Cream:

In Stand/hand mixer beat cream cheese with dulce de leche.

Add mascarpone cream and beat not more then a minute, just until well combined.

In a separate bowl beat together heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar.

Gently fold in whipped cream into dulce de leche cream.

In a small bowl or spray bottle combine coffee with kahlua liqueur.

Assembling:

Divide the sponge cake in half.

Soak the bottom layer with coffee mixture.

Spread good amount of frosting.

If desired, sprinkle toasted crushed hazelnuts.

Soak the other half of sponge cake, and place it on top of the bottom layer.

Spread frosting all over the cake reserving some frosting for decoration.

Decorate as desired. Dust with cocoa powder.

These are scrumptious and cute apple cake treats.They are mini apple cakes with sweet caramel like frosting, and covered all over with crunchy nut and cake crumb. These treat can be versatile by using your choice of nuts, and also can be made as a whole cake by using 2 (9 inch) cake pans.

Ingredients:

1o eggs

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 cup + 1/2 cup flour separated

1 teaspoon baking powder

5 apples peeled and diced

Frosting:

1 1/2 can cooked condensed milk (dulce de leche)

2 1/2 sticks butter room temp.

4 ozs. cream cheese room temp.

8 ozs. pecans

Direction:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Line two large baking sheets with parchments paper. Grease or spray with nonstick spray.

In a stand or hand mixer beat eggs with sugar until pale and fluffy.

Sift 1 1/2 cup flour with baking powder and gradually add to egg mixture on medium-low speed.

Mix apples with 1/2 cup flour .

Gently mix in apples into batter.

Divide batter among two baking sheets.

Bake for about 13-15 minutes.

Frosting:

Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth.

Gradually add in dulce de leche.

Assembling:

Cut out cirlcles using small round cookie cutter.

Remove apples from the scraps.Break scraps into small pieces and toast them in the oven until golden brown.

Take one mini cake round and spread generous amount of frosting.Add another round on top.

Spread frosting on the top and side of the cake.

Crush pecans using a blender.Transfer to deep medium bowl.

Take toasted cake pieces and crush using a blender.

Add it to pecans and mix it together.

Cover mini cake with nut and cake coating.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:143]

This coconut cake Raffaello will just melt in your mouth! A soft and moist cake with almonds,coconut,and white chocolate. Creamy frosting is very tasty and simple with just two ingredients. Overall this cake is super easy to make and divine as the Raffaello candy.

This recipe was inspired by my sister-in-law Galina with additions of few ingredients.

Ingredients:

Cake-

6 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 cup  all-purpose flour sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream/frosting-

16 ozs. Mascarpone cheese

1 can condensed milk

Filling and toppings-

1 can evaporated milk

2 tablespoons amaretto liqueur *

1 1/4 cup toasted sliced or slivered almonds

1/2 cup toasted shredded coconut flakes(unsweetened) + more for topping ( I toasted in the oven)

1/2 cup apricot jam/preserve heated and cooled (optional but good)

Shredded white chocolate

Raffaello candies for decoration

* you can sub in 1 teaspoon almond extract/essence

Directions:

Heat oven to 325 degrees.

Line the bottom of 9 inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease the sides.

In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer,beat eggs,sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.

Gradually on low speed or using hands/spatula mix in flour. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool.

  Cream-

Whip mascarpone cream with condensed milk for not more then a minute. Just as well combined.

Soaking-

Combine evaporated milk with amaretto liqueur or almond extract/essence.

Assembling:

Slice cake in half. Using a spoon,pour half of evaporated milk mixture* on the bottom layer.

Spread jam if adding any,followed by good amount of cream.

Sprinkle almonds,coconut, and white chocolate(optional).

Moist the other half cake layer and place it on top.(sliced side down.)

Spread remaining cream all over the cake.

Add shredded coconut to the top and sides of the cake.

Sprinkle with white chocolate and top with Raffaello candies.

Refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours.

*If you like your cake to be on the sweeter side, add 2 tablespoons of condensed milk to evaporated milk. If you don’t like your cakes moist,you might want to reduce soaking mixture.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:133]

This is a quick and tasty berry cake roll recipe that is perfect for summer when berries are in season.Making a berry cake roll that is easy to make,refreshing,and beautiful is simply delightful.It’s tastes really light that you might be tempted to get seconds.

Ingredients:

6 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup all purpose flour sifted

Cream-

1 package (8 0zs) cream cheese

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

or

1 tablespoon orange liqueur

Mix or choice of berries:

sliced strawberries

raspberries

blackberries

blueberries

shredded almonds

Directions-

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a 10×15 jelly roll pan (large baking sheet) with parchment paper going over the sides of baking sheet.Spray with cooking spray.

In a stand/hand mixer bowl, beat eggs on medium speed while slowly adding sugar.Increase speed to high and beat until eggs are pale and fluffy.

Carefully mix in flour.

Spread the  batter evenly on prepared pan.

Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until cake is golden.

Roll the cake up loosely while hot and let cool completely.

Cream:

Beat cream cheese until smooth.Add in powdered sugar and continue to beat until sugar is well combined.Add vanilla or liqueur.

On medium speed gradually pour in heavy whipping cream while slowly increasing the speed as it begins to thicken. Continue to beat on high until cream is fluffy.

Assembling:

Carefully remove parchment paper while unrolling the roll.

Spread cream over the roll and scatter your choice of berries over the cream.

Roll the cake and cover with cream.

Top with shredded almonds and decorate with berries and mint.Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:123]

Tiramisu meringue cake is an amazing and super delicious cake with combination of meringue and tiramisu cake.Soft coffee soaked sponge cake has a thick middle layer of nutty marbled chocolate meringue and covered in heavenly divine cream.

This recipe was shared with me by an awesome baker Marina from my church.Her Food always looks SUPER and DELICIOUS! Thank you so much Marina.

Please take note… This cake does require some time to make,I like to split the process in two days. Day 1:Make meringue and custard(store in fridge  covered),Day 2: Bake cake,make frosting and assemble.

 Ingredients:

Meringue-

6 egg whites

pinch of salt

pinch of cream of tartar

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2- 1 cup hazelnuts(not toasted)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

3 ozs. chocolate chips

Cream-

6 egg yolks

1/2 cup sugar + 1/2 cup sugar

16 ozs. cream cheese (2 packages 8oz each)

2 cups heavy whipping cream

Cake batter-

8 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup sifted flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

Syrup-

1 cup coffee

1 tablespoon kahlua liquor

1 tablespoon sugar

Other ingredients-

shredded chocolate

toasted hazelnuts

Directions-

Meringue:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Whip egg whites with pinch of salt and pinch of cream of tartar.

Add in sugar slowly while beating.Egg whites need to come to stiff peeks.

Mix nuts with cornstarch and gently fold in to meringue.

Melt chocolate chips and gradually fold in to meringue making a marble effect.Just few turns,don’t over mix.

Reduce oven temperature 250 degrees just before placing the pan in the oven.

Bake for 4 hours. Open door to cool completely  before taking it out,so meringue doesn’t crack.

Custard-

Prepare water bath.Whip egg yolks with 1/2 cup sugar until frothy and place it on water bath.

Heat for 10 minutes stirring continually until sugar dissolves.

Take off heat and mix in Kahlua liquor,let cool completely.

Cake-

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare and line a 10 inch spring foam cake pan.

Beat eggs and sugar together until pale and thick.(15-20min)

Add vanilla.

Add sifted flour and gently mix it in.

Bake for 25-30 minutes. Test with toothpick.It needs to come out clean.

Combine syrup ingredients.

Cream-

Whip cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until smooth.

Gradually add in custard.

In a separate bowl, whip heavy whipping cream until stiff.

Fold in half of whipped cream with cream cheese mixture and leave the rest to decorate the cake.

 Assembling-

Slice the cake in half.

Soak cake with coffee syrup using a brush.

Spread cream on the soaked side and add shredded chocolate over it.

Place meringue on top of shredded chocolate and spread more cream over meringue.Add shredded chocolate over cream.

Soak second layer of cake and flip soaked side down.

Cream cake all over. Decorate with toasted hazelnuts and shredded chocolate.
Refrigerate overnight.

Note: If decorating the sides of cake as shown you will need more heavy whipping cream.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:114]

The idea of making this lemon layer cake came from my sisters bridal shower back in September ’13.It was when I had to make a cake that had lemon or honey in it.Well… I ended up making both a lemon cake and honey cake. Basically that was our theme because our  sister Sweet-lana loves her tea with lemon and honey as much as one loves their coffee.She’ll have it in her to-go cup everywhere she goes.

For the cake as pictured above I made total of four layers and made more cream by half. Added blueberries inside.

For bridal shower I sliced the layers in half,but it was hard to keep the cake from falling apart. The cake layers are very delicate.

And I used pureed raspberries with sugar(strained) instead of whole raspberries.

Ingredients:

( Cake batter adapted from America’s Test Kitchen)

2 1/4 cups flour*

1/4 cup cornstarch*

1 cup whole milk,at room temperature

6 large egg whites,at room temperature.

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups granulated sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature.

lemon zest of 2 lemons

* you can substitute these two ingredients of cake flour

Cream for 1 (2 layer ) cake:

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

8 oz. cream cheese

1  1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon squeezed lemon juice

1-2 tablespoons limoncello liqueur

zest from one lemon

Syrup:

1/2 cup hot water

3 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons limoncello

2 tablespoons lemon juice.

-Combine all ingredients and let cool.

Fresh blueberries,raspberries or strawberries.

Whole or pureed with some sugar.

Direction for cake-

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Sift flour with cornstarch 3 times and set aside

In a large measuring cup,whisk together the milk,egg whites,lemon zest and vanilla.

In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment,mix together the flour,sugar,baking powder and salt at med-low speed.

With the mixer running,add the butter pieces one at a time until the mixture resembles fine,even crumbs.

Stop the mixer and about 1/2 cup of the wet ingredients.

Beat the batter at medium speed until it is pale and fluffy,about 1 1/2minutes.

With the mixer running on med-low pour in  the rest of the wet ingredients,then crank the speed back up to medium and beat for 30 seconds more.Scrape down the bowl and beat for 30 more seconds.

Divide the batter equally among the two (9 inch) cake pans and smooth the tops.

Bake for 23-25 minutes,or until a toothpick come out clean-do not over bake.

Let the cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes,then remove the cakes from pans,and cool completely.

Cream-

In a mixer with whisk attachment ,whip cream cheese with powdered sugar.

Scrape the bowl and add lemon juice,zest, and limoncello.Whip again until ingredients are well incorporated.

On med-low speed gradually pour heavy whipping cream,bringing the speed higher gradually.

Whip the cream until stiff peaks.

Assembling-

Pierce first cake layer with toothpick or fork.

Pour/spray syrup on the cake.

Spread a good amount of frosting.

Arrange preferred berries on top of frosting.

Place the other cake on top of berries.

Pierce the cake and pour/spray syrup.

Spread frosting all over cake and decorate as desired.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:86]

If you’re a poppy seed lover like me,then this cake is for you.The cake is very scrumptious and consists of lots and lots of poppy seeds and walnuts.Dulce de leche frosting enhances the cake and makes it divine.I tried making this cake using different flours,and my best pick  considering the taste and health wise is spelt and almond flour( or spelt by itself).You can use regular white flour or whole wheat pastry flour also.

To make the process quicker,I like to bake meringue layer a day before Im baking the cake.

Ingredients:

6 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoon baking soda + 1 tablespoon vinegar combined

1 3/4 cups poppy seeds

1 cup walnuts

1 cup pastry whole wheat flour*

* you can substitute for all-purpose white flour or spelt flour

1  can dulce de leche

12 ozs. cream cheese (1 1/2 package cream cheese)

1 stick butter room temperature.

1 cup heavy whipping cream or 8 ozs cool whip ( I prefer heavy cream )

1 teaspoon vanilla

Syrup:

1/2 cup boiling water

2 tablespoons sugar

(mix together,let it cool)

Meringue:

3 egg whites

1 cup sugar

a pinch cream of tartar

Frosting:

Direction:

Meringue-

Prepare a lined 10 inch springform pan.

Heat oven to 200 degrees.

Beat egg whites with sugar and cream of tartar on high speed until the peeks are stiff and glossy.

Transfer to the cake pan. Spread meringue evenly. Bake for 3 1/2 -4 hours. leave it to cool and continue drying overnight in the oven ( best results)

Pre heat oven to 325 degrees.

In a mini blender,pulse and chop walnuts together with poppy seeds.

Beat eggs with sugar until fluffy and pale in color.

Sift flour and combine poppy seeds and baking soda with vinegar.

Gently mix in flour poppyseed walnut mix.

Line the bottom of the 10 inch pan with parchment paper.

Grease or spray the sides and bottom of the pan.

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out dry and clean.Let cool.

Dulce de Leche frosting:

Beat cream cheese with butter.

Add dulce de leche and beat until well combined.

Gradually Pour in heavy whipping and vanilla, beat until cream thickens.**

**Or replace with cool whip

Assembling:

Slice the cake in half.

Moist (a little) the cake layer with syrup using spoon or spray.

Spread dulce de leche frosting.

Place the meringue layer on top. Add more cream and spread.

Moist ( a little) and place third layer on top of the meringue layer.

Spread frosting on sides and top of the cake.

Decorate as desired.

You can use this flour,regular white flour ,or spelt and almond flour.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:41]

Lovely clouds of meringue layered with smooth whipped cream and colorful sweet berries. This cake tastes light and heavenly.It’s always a hit at parties and perfect for spring and summer.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:26]

Cake Damskiy Kapriz is a multi layered Russian cake that is very delicious and moist.Three different layers consist of walnuts,dried apricots and poppy seeds.Each layer is sliced and soaked with moscato wine syrup and covered in smooth sour cream frosting or dulce de leche frosting.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:12]

If you’re a big fan of poppy seeds then you’ll love this cake.Soft sponge cake with lightly sweetened pastry cream,dulce de leche, and of course poppy seeds.I love anything with poppy seeds especially cakes.

Ingredients:

7 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup sifted self rising flour or regular but add 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.

Cream:

Prepared pastry cream

2 butter sticks softened at room temperature

1 can cooked condensed milk ( dulce de leche)

1 1/2 cup poppy seeds cooked and grinded

1/2 cup toasted and crushed hazelnuts

To cook poppy seeds:

Place poppy seeds in a small sauce pan.Cover with water.Bring to a boil,then reduce heat to low.

Cook for 30 minutes,strain, and let it cool.

Grind poppy seeds using a meat grinder.

Syrup:

1 cup boiling water

3 tablespoon sugar

-Combine and let it cool

Directions for cake-

Heat oven to 325 degrees.

Using a mixer, beat eggs with sugar until thick and pale in color.

Gradually add sifted flour and mix on low.

Pour the batter in to a lined round 9 inch baking pan(10 inch will work too)

Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown in color.

Let it cool completely.

Cream:

Whip softened butter with a mixer.Gradually add in pastry cream by 2-3 tablespoons at first 2-3 times.Reserve half of pastry cream for later.

Add cooked condensed milk and poppy seeds.Whip it on high speed for few minutes.

Assembling:

Divide sponge cake to equal 3 layers.

Spray or pour syrup on the first layer.

Spread a generous amount of poppy seed cream.

Cover with the second layer and repeat the steps.

Place the third layer on top and spread the reserved pastry cream on the top and around the sides of the cake.Add crushed hazelnuts to the sides of the cake.Decorate the top as desired.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:16]

This drunken cherry cake is one of the first cakes that I made and still make it ,because it’s everybody’s favorite and is often requested for parties. This chocolate cake is very moist and fairly easy to make. The Inside of the cake is taken out and mixed with sweet cream and sour cherries that have been soaked in Kahlua.

Ingredients:
10 eggs
1 ¾ cups sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar
1 ¾ cups sifted flour

Cream:
2 cans of condensed milk
2 sticks butter softened at room temperature
*1 ½ cups heavy cream
*¾ cup powdered sugar
3 oz dark chocolate
2 cans red tart cherries ( I used Oregon fruit products)

*You can substitute 8 oz cool whip

Directions:

Soak Cherries in Kahlua for at least 2 hours or overnight in the fridge.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

On high speed beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.Add baking soda with vinegar and cocoa. Mix on medium speed.
Add flour and carefully mix with a spoon.
Transfer the batter to a 10 1/2inch x 3 1/4inch pan.
Bake for about45-55 minutes.
Let it cool completely.

Cream:
Beat butter for couple of minutes and add condensed milk few spoons at a time at first then the remaining.
In a separate bowl, beat heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar.
Add whipped cream to the butter cream and mix well until well combined.

Assembling:
Take out the inside of the cake and transfer it to a mixing bowl.
Spread some cream on inside of the cake. Leave about 3-4 tablspoons of cream and add the rest of the cream to the cake in the bowl. Using a spoon, transfer the cherries to the bowl with cake, and mix everything together until the cream and cake is well combined and no dry pieces of cake is seen.
Fill the inside of a cake with cake,cherry and cream mixture.
Top with with shredded chocolate. Refrigerate for 2 hours or more.