20-layer medovik honey cake recipe
Source: sundaystack.substack.com
TL;DR
- Katie shares her recipe for medovik, a classic Eastern European 20-layer honey cake from her childhood.
- Layers use 3/4 cup (~200g) caramelized honey, 1/2 cup (120g) butter, and 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp (120g) sugar for a 7-8 inch cake.[[1]](https://sundaystack.substack.com/p/20-layer-honey-cake)
- Layers soften in sour cream frosting overnight, pairing well with black tea for a festive treat.[[1]](https://sundaystack.substack.com/p/20-layer-honey-cake)
The story at a glance
Katie's paid Substack post details a towering 20-layer medovik (honey cake), an Eastern European classic she grew up loving alongside napoleon cake. It makes one 7-8 inch cake with thin honey layers, sour cream frosting, and an optional Earl Grey-citrus infusion. Published December 21, 2025, as part of holiday recipes, it highlights nostalgic family baking. Medovik layers famously soften after an overnight fridge rest.[[1]](https://sundaystack.substack.com/p/20-layer-honey-cake)
Key points
- Eastern European medovik: perfectly sweet, multi-layered cake that softens from cream overnight and pairs with black tea.[[1]](https://sundaystack.substack.com/p/20-layer-honey-cake)
- Honey cake layers start with 3/4 cup (~200g) caramelized honey, 1/2 cup (120g) unsalted butter (room temp), 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp (120g) sugar; yields 20 thin layers baked individually then rolled out.[[1]](https://sundaystack.substack.com/p/20-layer-honey-cake)
- Sour cream frosting: 2 cups (480g) sour cream base with optional Earl Grey + citrus infusion for tea-like flavor.[[1]](https://sundaystack.substack.com/p/20-layer-honey-cake)
- Assembly: stack layers with frosting, coat sides/top with crumbs from trimmed edges; requires overnight chill.
- Author notes: read instructions fully first, not challenging but detail-oriented; feels festive stacked tall.[[1]](https://sundaystack.substack.com/p/20-layer-honey-cake)
Details and context
The post is paywalled beyond intro and partial ingredients, but snippets reveal a hands-on recipe suited for holidays. Katie expresses "my love for a many layered cake knows no bounds" and ties it to childhood memories in Russian households.[[1]](https://sundaystack.substack.com/p/20-layer-honey-cake)
Thin layers bake quickly, roll easily, and absorb cream to create the signature soft texture—key to medovik's appeal over quicker cakes.
Optional infusion adds modern twist, evoking tea; skip for traditional version.
Key quotes
"growing up, this was a top cake alongside napoleon. they both are perfectly sweet enough, have lots of layers that soften from the cream overnight, and of course - pair excellently with a cup of black tea."[[1]](https://sundaystack.substack.com/p/20-layer-honey-cake)
"my love for a many layered cake knows no bounds. coincidentally, I also love a cake that requires an overnight sit in the fridge."[[1]](https://sundaystack.substack.com/p/20-layer-honey-cake)
Why it matters
Medovik revives Eastern European baking traditions with impressive height and subtle honey depth, standing out at gatherings. Home bakers get a tested recipe yielding soft, tea-friendly layers that improve with time, saving trial-and-error. Watch for Katie's future holiday spins like napoleon, though full details need Substack paid access.