If you’ve never made Russian Honey Cake before, don’t let those beautiful layers intimidate you. This no-bake shortcut version is made with graham crackers! It delivers the classic Medovik flavor with minimum effort and tastes like it took hours to make.
Traditional Medovik is a multi-layer honey infused cake with a creamy filling made of sour cream, heavy cream and condensed milk. Instead of making traditional honey cake layers, this shortcut version uses graham crackers to create soft, cake-like layers that form after chilling. Combined with a rich cream filling, this no bake dessert is light, sweet and incredibly satisfying.
Easy to make
Easy to prepare in less than 30 minutes. Only needs a few hours in the fridge but you can make it the night before.
Simple ingredients
Budget friendly with just a few ingredients you probably already have.
No oven required
Easy no bake, make ahead dessert that tastes like you spent all day baking.
Graham crackers: Store-bought puff pastry sheets are sold in the refrigerator or freezer section at your local grocery store.
Cream cheese: The base of the creamy filling.
Sour cream: Adds that extra tang to balance the sweetness. A must!
Heavy cream: Use cold heavy whipping cream for best results.
Vanilla extract: For a little extra flavor.
Powdered sugar: Just enough sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth.
For the rest of the ingredients, please see the recipe card below!
The section below is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. For full details, see recipe card below!
Step 1
The section below is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. For full details, see recipe card below!
Step 1
Add the rest of the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat for 1-2 minutes until fluffy and soft peaks form. Do not add too much powdered sugar. The frosting should not be overly sweet since the graham crackers are very sweet! Small clumps may form from the powdered sugar but they should dissolve.
Generously spread the filling between each layer
The most common mistake is not adding enough filling between graham cracker layers. The crackers absorb the filling so be generous. It should be at least the thickness of the graham crackers,1.5x more!
Refrigerate overnight
For best results, refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight to the let the layers soften.
The section below is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. For full details, see recipe index card below!
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Yes! The only way for this cake to work is to refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. It actually tastes better the next day as the layers soften, the cream solidifies and making it easier to slice.
You need to put enough cream between each layer because some of it gets absorbed from the graham crackers. It’s hard to give an exact measurement but the cream layer should be 1.5x to 2x the thickness of the graham cracker.
Chill the cake in the fridge at least 4 hours or overnight for best results. This helps the cream set and the layers soften, making it easier to slice.
Honey Cake is best served cold and a great make ahead recipe. Store leftover assembled cake in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days to maintain its texture and freshness.
I hope you love this easy shortcut Honey Cake recipe! Your feedback is valuable to us. If you try my recipes and love them, please take a moment to leave a five star review. Thank you for being part of the Bake Cook Repeat community! Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Subscribe on YouTube for more easy no bake desserts and baking recipes!
I give you permission to steal this cake recipe for your Fourth of July dessert. This No Bake Berry Chantilly Flag Cake is light and elegant, layered with fresh berries, fluffy cream and ladyfingers. No oven required. Inspired by the famous cake from Whole Foods.
Perfect Fourth of July dessert
This patriotic red, white and blue dessert is most popular Fourth of July desserts because it’s refreshing and easy to prepare ahead of time.
No oven required
This no bake cake is perfect for summer days when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
Easy to make
The easiest make ahead cake recipe for spring or summer gatherings. Prep time is under 30 minutes.
Refreshing & light
Serve chilled with lots of fruit.
Chantilly cream is a lightly sweetened whipped cream with vanilla. Unlike traditional frosting, in this recipe I used cream cheese and heavy whipping cream. This combination creates a stable yet flavorful frosting that pair perfect with the soft ladyfingers and fresh fruit.
Fresh berries: A good variety of blue and red fruit to create the iconic American flag.
Jam: Use high-quality jam. I like blueberry, marionberry or mixed berries. Combined with smashed raspberries for the fruity layer between the cake.
Condensed milk and milk: Both used to soak the ladyfingers.
Ladyfingers: I love using lady fingers because it’s basically dried up cake!
Mascarpone and cream cheese: Stabilizes the chantilly cream and adds more depth in flavor.
Heavy cream: Used for the cream cheese frosting.
Powdered sugar: Ladyfingers are naturally not very sweet. Powdered sugar helps balance the cream and cake layers.
Vanilla extract and almond extract: Adds an extract touch of flavor iconic to chantilly cakes.
For the rest of the ingredients, please see the recipe index card below!
The section below is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. For the full recipe details, see recipe index card below!
Prepare the chantilly cream
In a large mixing bowl, add the softened mascarpone and cream cheese. Beat on high speed for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Beat cold cheeses for 2-3 minutes. This extra step helps prevent clumps.
Add 1/2 of the heavy whipping cream and beat until combined. When adding the last half of the heavy cream, also add the powdered sugar, almond extract and vanilla extract. Whip for 2-3 minutes or until soft peaks form. Do not overmix. Taste and adjust sugar as needed.
Make the jam layer and milk mixture
In a medium bowl, add jam and fresh raspberries. Smash and mix until combined. In a separate bowl, add condensed milk and whole milk. Stir to combine until dissolved.
Build the first layer
Lightly dip each lady finger in the milk mixture. Arrange in a single layer in a 9″x13″ pan.
Add the cream
Top with 1/3 of the cream of the chantilly cream over the ladyfingers. Use an offset spatula to spread a smooth even layer.
Add the jam
Spread the entire jam over the cream into an even layer.
Repeat the layers
Continue layering the ladyfingers and 1/3 of the chantilly cream. Make sure to reserve enough for the final layer.
The section below is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. For the full recipe details, see recipe index card below!
Smooth the top layer
Use an offset spatula to make sure the top layer is smooth.
Create the flag outline
Use the tip of a knife or a toothpick to outline the sections of the flag. Create a rectangle in the upper left corner and 3 horizontal even lines.
Layer the blue section
Layer the blackberries and blueberries in the corner.
Pipe the white stripes
Use a piping bag with a star tip to pipe thick straight lines on the horizontal outlines.
Layer the red fruit
Arrange the strawberries, raspberries and cherries in between the white frosting.
Cover and refrigerate
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for best results. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
For best results, refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This gives enough time for the ladyfingers to absorb the surrounding moisture from the cream and jam.
For the most flavorful results, dip in sweetened condensed milk mixture or a simple syrup.
Dip each ladyfinger for only 1-2 seconds. They absorb liquid quickly and over-soaking can make the dessert too soft and ruin the layers.
No Bake Berry Chantilly Cake is a delicious make-ahead recipe. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze once soaked.
I hope you find this to be the best Tres Leches Cake recipe! Your feedback is valuable to us. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments. If you try this recipe and love it, please take a moment to leave a five star review. Thank you for being part of the Bake Cook Repeat community! Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Subscribe on YouTube.
For more cake recipes, be sure to check out my Tres Leches Cake and Strawberry Tiramisu!
This healthy Waldorf Salad is simple, refreshing and ready in minutes. It combines crisp apples, chewy dates, crunchy pecans and celery in a creamy dressing for the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. You can serve it for lunch, a holiday gathering or a light dinner side dish.
Crunchy & Refreshing
Every bite is a mix of crunch and creaminess.
Irresistible homemade dressing
The dressing light made with mayo and Greek yogurt. It keeps this salad refreshing without being too heavy.
Easy to prep
There’s no cooking required. It’s simply a matter of washing, chopping and mixing. It can be made ahead of time, making it ideal for meal prep or entertaining.
Waldorf Salad is a fruit and nut salad. Originally served at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City in the 1800s, this salad combines apples, celery, dates, arugula, pecans and a creamy dressing for the perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors.
Apples: For crunch and sweetness. Compliments all the ingredients well.
Celery: For freshness and crunch. Most of the salad is made up of celery!
Dates: Dates add a caramel-like sweetness and chewy texture that makes this salad so irresistible and rich.
Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt adds extra protein and keeps the dressing light.
Parmesan: Adds a nutty, salty flavor and thickens the dressing.
Arugulal (optional): Adds more fullness to the salad but you may skip it completely.
Lemon juice: Freshy squeezed lemon juice provides acidity, brightness and freshness.
Maple syrup or honey: To balance out the acidity of the lemon and celery.
Olive oil: A good quality olive oil is important as the flavor of the dressing depends on it.
For the rest of the ingredients, please see the recipe index card below!
Step one
In a separate bowl, whisk together mayo, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, dill and parsley. Whisk until smooth.
Step two
Add parmesan and whisk until thick and combined.
Prepare the ingredients
Wash and chop the apples. Chop the apples and dates into bite sized pieces. Slice the celery and cucumbers into thin round slices. Roughly chop the pecans.
Make the creamy dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together mayo, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, dill, parsley and parmesan until smooth.
Combine everything
To a large mixing bowl, add arugula, celery, dates, apples and pecans. Pour the creamy dressing over the top and toss until evenly coated. Best served chilled.
Chill the ingredients
Place the apples, celery and dates in the fridge before prepping the salad. This salad is best served cold.
Toss apples in lemon juice
Keep the apples fresh by tossing them in water and lemon juice.
Make it a meal
Add grilled or shredded chicken to make it a complete meal.
The original salad included apples, celery and mayonnaise. That’s it! I think my version is WAY better!
Yes! This salad tastes better chilled in the fridge for a few hours. You can prepare it one day in advance but some of the salad elements may lose their fresh crunch. Make the salad and toss everything together except the pecans and arugula. They will get soggy and loose their crunch.
Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala or Granny smith apples are great choices because they stay crisp. I prefer Gala apples.
This healthy Waldorf Salad pairs well at any occasion with any spreads. Serve at holidays, weeknight dinners or special gatherings with a side of grilled chicken or steak and artisan bread.
If you’ve never made Russian Honey Cake before, don’t et those beautiful layers intimidate you. This no-bake shortcut version is made with graham crackers! It delivers the classic Medovik flavor with minimum effort and tastes like it took hours to make.
This No Bake Berry Chantilly Flag Cake is light and elegant, layered with fresh berries, fluffy cream and ladyfingers. No oven required. Inspired by the famous Berry Chantilly Cake from Whole Foods, this version skips the baking and uses ladyfingers instead.
This healthy Waldorf Salad is simple, refreshing and ready in minutes. It combines crisp apples, chewy dates, crunchy pecans and celery in a creamy dressing for the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Lemon Parmesan Gnocchi is a bright, creamy Italian pasta dish made with just a few simple ingredients for a quick weeknight meal.
This recipe is proof that chicken and potatoes don’t have to be boring. One-pan Lemon Chicken and Potatoes only require less than 10 minutes of prep time for a flavor that tastes like you’ve been in the kitchen all day.
Stuffed Shells. Easy, cheesy and perfect every time. Jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy ricotta and spinach filling, baked in a rich marinara sauce. This Classic Italian American dish checks every box for a delicious dinner!
This One Pan Dumpling Bake recipe is worth the hype! It tastes like something you would order from Din Tai Fung. What makes this recipe great for quick weeknight dinners is the easy steps and simple ingredients.
If you love the bold, creamy and spicy flavors of jalapeno poppers, then this one-pot Jalapeno Popper Chicken recipe is about to become a weeknight favorite. Creamy sauce nestled between tender chicken and spicy jalapenos.
Looking for the best Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins that are moist, fluffy and loaded with gooey chocolate chips? This easy homemade muffin recipe is make with ripe bananas, simple ingredients and comes together in one bowl. Perfect for Breakfast, snacks or dessert!
During these colder months, Creamy Corn Chowder Soup is the only thing you need simmering on your stovetop.
This Strawberry Tiramisu recipe is a delicious twist on the classic, traditional tiramisu. Coffee dipped lady fingers layered with whipped mascarpone cream and fresh strawberries. It’s as luscious and creamy as it sounds! This is the no-bake dessert of the summer.
Easy preparation
This recipe is relatively easy to prepare. It doesn’t require baking and uses simple ingredients. Perfect for novice and experienced bakers alike.
Perfect for a crowd
Easy to portion out for a large group.
Make ahead option
Because this tiramisu needs to chill for 3 to 4 hours, it’s a convenient dessert option to make ahead for entertaining.
Lady fingers: All you need is one pack of lady fingers! They soak up the coffee and provide structure to the entire cake.
Whipped heavy cream: Whipped and folded into the filling to add smoothness and a fluffy texture.
Mascarpone: Tiramisu wouldn’t be the same without this Italian cheese. I have found that some stores overprice Mascarpone. The best place to buy it is Costco, Trader Joe’s or Grocery Outlet.
Coffee: Coffee or espresso adds the flavor we all love about tiramisu.
Fresh strawberries: Reserve any fruit substitutes for the garnish. Strawberries have the least water content compared to raspberries or blueberries and are less likely to affect the filling and structure of the cake.
Cocoa powder: The perfect garnish to any variation of tiramisu.
Gold foil: Although this is optional, sometimes a little extra effort goes a long way, especially when it comes to pretty presentation. Shop my exact gold foil here. (Affiliate link)
For the rest of the ingredients, please see the recipe index card below!
The section below is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. For full details, see recipe index card below!
Lay the plastic wrap
Lay down a large layer of plastic wrap on a clean working surface. The plastic wrap is what we use to lift and form the shape of the log cake.
Note: It’s important to give yourself enough plastic wrap to hold onto, at least 5 inches on all sides in order to tightly secure the cake together without smashing the delicate layers.
“Size” the cake
The same tray you use to chill the cake on should be the same tray you serve the cake. After laying down the plastic wrap, size the cake by placing the serving tray next to the plastic wrap and arrange your lady fingers in two rows, long enough to fit in the tray. Leave extra room around the edges with plastic wrap.
Dip the lady fingers
If you don’t soak the lady fingers enough, they will crack when it comes to folding. But be mindful not to overly soak them or the will smash together. A quick 1-2 second dip on each side is perfect.
Cover and wait
Cover with plastic wrap. Wait for at least 15 to 20 minutes while the lady fingers soften up as they soak up the coffee. If after this time, the lady fingers seem crunchy, use a pastry brush to add a little extra coffee or milk.
Make the cream
While the lady fingers are resting, make the cream. Fold in diced strawberries and save about 1½ cups of the filling aside for decorating the top. If you don’t have a large piping tip big enough for the diced strawberries to pass through, set aside the filling before adding the strawberries. Place in the refrigerator to chill if your still waiting for the lady fingers to soften up.
Refrigerate
Starting on one side, use the plastic wrap to fold up both sides and towards the center, creating a large log. See more directions and photos below. Carefully transfer the log to your designated serving tray and refrigerator, along with the filling set aside for the top, for at least 3 hours.
Wide layer of plastic wrap
This cake is moist and soft. When I say lay a wide layer of plastic wrap before assembling the lady fingers, I mean wide. The plastic wrap is what we use to lift and form the shape of the log. It’s important to give yourself enough to hold onto, at least 5 inches on all sides in order to tightly secure the cake together.
Do not rush the process
In total, this cake takes less than 30 minutes to make but the hard part is setting it aside to chill in the refrigerator.
Piping bag with an open star tip
These are a great investment to have in the kitchen and take your dessert creations to the next level. Shop piping bags with tips here. (Affiliate link) You may also find some at select craft stores. I used the #8B Open Star Tip from Michael’s Craft Store. Click here to shop my exact tip. Click here to shop my exact bags.
Start at one end of the roll. Using the plastic wrap, lift up and pull the two sides into the center, touching together. Continue along the entire roll, tightly but gently securing the lady finger tips together. Do not press or squish the lady fingers. Simply lift them up to create a shape that resembles a triangle. See below for photo instructions.
When you are ready to serve, gently remove the plastic wrap from the top of the cake first. As you hold the log cake, slowly pull out the plastic wrap from underneath. Gently lift a portion of the cake as you shimmy the plastic wrap off. Remove the plastic wrap while holding the cake in place. Don’t worry about any cracks. This is what the cocoa powder and extra fruit is for!
Dip the ladyfingers quickly and briefly – just 1-2 seconds on each side. If they soak for too long, they become mushy and won’t hold their shape.
Absolutely! Instead of rolling, you can layer in a trifle dish, square pan or even small glass jars for individual servings.
This Strawberry Tiramisu is best served chilled. You can make it up to one day ahead. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Your feedback is valuable to us. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments. If you try my recipes and love them, please take a moment to leave a five star review. Thank you for being part of the Bake Cook Repeat community! Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Subscribe on YouTube.
This tiramisu is so creamy, with the perfect balance of sweet and coffee.
Yay!
The best cake. So easy to make the day before. We enjoyed every last slice.
Thank you, Denise! It’s one of our favorites too.
So delicious and easy to make. I made the night before and served next day.
The best recipes are ones like this that can be prepared ahead to save time and stress. 🙂
I didn’t think strawberry and coffee would mix well together but this was highly addicting in all the right ways!
We think so too! Thanks so much! 🙂
This is so freakin’ good! My family are obsessed with it! I make this every other week now because it became our favorite!
Thank you for such a lovely review, Stephanie! We love how easy this recipe is and we’re so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Hi is it okay to leave it overnight or is it best served in 3 hours?
Up to one night, I think is perfectly fine! 🙂