{"id":"recipe_1869be623d","slug":"kyiv-cake","title":"Kyiv Cake","description":"An iconic Ukrainian national dessert, the Kyiv Cake is famous for its crispy nut-meringue layers and rich, silky Charlotte buttercream. It is a masterpiece of textures, blending the crunch of roasted hazelnuts with smooth cocoa and vanilla cream.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":60,"cookMinutes":360,"totalMinutes":600,"activeMinutes":120},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"200g Egg whites","name":"Egg White","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":6.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"whites","notes":"aged at room temperature","group":"Meringue","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"50g Sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"for whipping with whites","group":"Meringue","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"185g Sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":185,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"to mix with nuts","group":"Meringue","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"150g Hazelnuts","name":"Hazelnuts","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":5.3,"usUnit":"oz","form":"roasted and chopped","notes":"can substitute with cashews","group":"Meringue","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"45g Flour","name":"Flour","quantity":45,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"all-purpose","notes":"","group":"Meringue","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"250g Butter","name":"Butter","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":8.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"softened","notes":"unsalted","group":"Charlotte Cream","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"200g Sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"for syrup","group":"Charlotte Cream","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"150ml Milk","name":"Milk","quantity":150,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Charlotte Cream","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 Egg yolk","name":"Egg Yolk","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"yolk","notes":"","group":"Charlotte Cream","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"10g Cocoa powder","name":"Cocoa","quantity":10,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.5,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Charlotte Cream","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 tbsp Cognac","name":"Cognac","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"optional","group":"Charlotte Cream","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Roast the hazelnuts in the oven at 150°C (302°F) for 10-15 minutes, then chop them into coarse crumbs. Mix the chopped nuts with 185g (1 cup) of sugar and 45g (1/3 cup) of flour.","group":"Meringue Layers","title":"Roast the hazelnuts","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Meringue Layers"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Whisk 200g of aged egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add 50g (1/4 cup) of sugar and continue whisking until stiff, glossy peaks form.","group":"Meringue Layers","title":"Whisk 200g of aged egg whites","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Meringue Layers"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Gently fold the nut-sugar-flour mixture into the whisked egg whites using a spatula, being careful not to deflate the whites.","group":"Meringue Layers","title":"Gently fold the nut-sugar-flour mixture","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Meringue Layers"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Divide the batter between two 24cm parchment-lined pans. Bake at 120°C (248°F) for about 6 hours to dry them out completely. Leave the cakes to rest for 12-24 hours before assembling.","group":"Meringue Layers","title":"Divide the batter between two 24cm parchment-lined pans","timerMinutes":360,"sourceTitle":"Meringue Layers"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"To make the Charlotte cream, mix the egg yolk with milk, then add 200g (1 cup) of sugar. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly, until the syrup thickens. Let it cool to room temperature.","group":"Cream and Assembly","title":"To make the Charlotte cream","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Cream and Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Whip the softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add the cooled syrup while continuing to whip. Stir in the cognac. Divide the cream; add cocoa powder to one third of the cream for the exterior.","group":"Cream and Assembly","title":"Whip the softened butter","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cream and Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Place the first meringue layer on a platter, spread with the white cream. Top with the second layer. Coat the top and sides with the cocoa cream. Decorate with nut crumbs and cream flowers.","group":"Cream and Assembly","title":"Place the first meringue layer","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cream and Assembly"}],"notes":"Traditionally, egg whites for this cake are 'aged' by leaving them at room temperature for 12-24 hours until bubbles appear on the surface. This helps create a more stable meringue.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["Oven","Hand mixer or Stand mixer","Spatula","24cm Springform pans","Parchment paper"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","eggs","tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"hard","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"cake","note":"Standard 24cm round cake"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The meringue layers must be made at least 24 hours in advance. The assembled cake should sit in the fridge for 6-12 hours to set properly."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The meringue will stay crispy longer if kept away from moisture.","reheatingNotes":"Serve chilled; do not reheat."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_1869be623d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=1cdd6bef-e38f-42a9-a468-93786ecd458c","imageAlt":"Kyiv Cake — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["cake","meringue","hazelnuts","ukrainian cuisine","buttercream","traditional","celebration cake"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Kyiv Cake","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:42:00.913Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:42:00.913Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_a5ad8ae0d0","slug":"kysil","title":"Kysil","description":"A traditional Ukrainian fruit drink thickened with starch, offering a smooth, velvety texture and vibrant berry flavor.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["dessert","sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_a5ad8ae0d0%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d0b37907-2b48-4d5c-9e4c-f8c226144ba1","imageAlt":"Kysil — recipe cover","tags":["kysil","fruit drink","berry dessert","ukrainian recipe","gluten-free drink"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"palacinke_aafe8b93f5","slug":"palacinke-eastern-european-crepes","title":"Palačinke (Eastern European Crepes)","description":"Thin, delicate, and versatile Eastern European crepes that can be served sweet with jam or savory with cheese. Unlike American pancakes, these are much thinner and larger, perfect for rolling or folding.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Balkan","Central European"]},"course":["main","dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpalacinke_aafe8b93f5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac5688a7-9fa8-4211-9d8f-90610bdd5007","imageAlt":"Palačinke (Eastern European Crepes) — recipe cover","tags":["crepes","pancakes","breakfast","thin pancakes","european food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":7},{"id":"recipe_c63e34da8a","slug":"baklava","title":"Baklava","description":"A rich, indulgent Eastern European dessert featuring layers of crisp, buttery filo pastry, a spiced walnut filling, and a luscious honey-lemon syrup.","serves":24,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Balkan"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_c63e34da8a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=8f3b0d6b-0a3b-433e-a4f1-6cdeb23e3115","imageAlt":"Baklava — recipe cover","tags":["honey","nuts","pastry","sweet","layered"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":8}]}