Week 127: Kyiv Cake

A Kyiv cake is a decadent cake. It features layers of vanilla sponge, hazelnut meringue, and chocolate frosting.

Jump to the recipe!

It was created in 1956 in the Karl Marx Confefctionary Factory. The meringue was first filled with cashews, which were supplied by India, a developing ally of the USSR.

As it turns out, cashews became too expensive, so the meringue was filled with hazelnuts instead.  

This cake is certainly a labor of love, but is also an explosion of flavors and textures that pair beautifully together; you will definitely be getting seconds!

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RECIPE:

INGREDIENTS:

Meringue:

• 4 egg whites

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup hazelnuts, chopped

Cake:

• 4 eggs

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Frosting:

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened

• 3/4 cup cocoa powder

• 14 oz. condensed milk

STEPS:

1. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F, and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg whites until light and frothy. Add the sugar gradually, and continue beating until the egg whites reach stiff peaks. Fold in the hazelnuts and spread the meringue evenly in one of the cake pans. Bake for 5 hours and set aside to cool.

3. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, about 8 minutes. Then, fold in the flour, baking powder, and oil. Pour the batter into your other prepared cake pan and bake for 35 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

4. With an electric mixer, beat the butter and cocoa powder until light and fluffy. Add the condensed milk and continue mixing to form a frosting consistency.

5. Assemble the cake by cutting your sponge cake in half. Spread a layer of jam over the top of the first layer, and then place the meringue on top. Follow by frosting a layer of the chocolate cream over the meringue, before topping off with the final sponge layer. Cover the rest of the cake with the remaining frosting and serve.

Enjoy!

The Bored Baker 👩🏽‍🍳