RestExpert uses cookie technology and writes technical information from your browser to server logs: IP address and visited pages. This information will not allow us to identify you, but it can help us improve the site.
- Food and drinks
- Russian cuisine
Pryanik is a pastry, the Russian analogue of German Aachen gingerbread (Aachener Printen) and Nuremberg gingerbread (Nürnberger Lebkuchen). Pryaniki are baked from special gingerbread dough with addition of honey, nuts, candied fruits and raisins. Fruit or berry jam and condensed milk are used as a filling. In appearance, pryanik is typically a slightly rectangular, round or oval shaped plate that is slightly gibbose in the middle; there is usually an inscription or a simple drawing on its upper part made by a gingerbread board. Also, pryanik is often coated with a confectionary sugar glaze. Tula, Gorodets, Vyazma, Pokrov, Kurskaya Korennaya Pustyn and many others are the historic centers for the production of pryaniki.
Ingredients
- Flour – 480 g
- sugar – 150 g
- liquid honey, better meadow or polyfloral honey – 70 g
- butter – 50 g
- egg – 3 pcs.
- baking soda – 0,5 tsp.
- lemon juice – 0,5 tsp.
- mixture of freshly ground spices (coriander, cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice) – 1 tsp.
- peeled almond – 1 cup
- sea salt – to taste
Preparation method (receipt)
Put honey, sugar, pour 50 ml of water in a saucepan with a thick bottom and heat to 70-75 °C. Pour in half of the sifted flour and spices. Stir immediately until smooth. Remove from fire and cool completely. Add softened butter, 2 eggs whipped until smooth, a pinch of salt, baking soda, lemon juice and the remaining flour. Knead soft smooth dough. Roll it out into a 5-6 mm thick layer. Cut out different figures using cookie cutters and put them on a baking tray covered with a cooking sheet. Egg the surface and dress with almond halves. Bake at 220-230 °С for 7-9 minutes.
Most of you have heard or read of traditional dishes of Russian cuisine, such as borsch (beetroot soup), pelmeni (dumplings), Russian salad, and the like. However, very few foreigners know the names of sweets, which are no less popular in Russia. Meanwhile, Russians are undoubtedly people with a sweet tooth, and Russian cuisine has been replenished with new dessert recipes and ideas for centuries.
On a visit to a Russian home you will definitely be treated with hot tea and something sweet.
1. Russian Pancakes
Golden pancakes are traditionally compared to the Sun, and for a reason. For our ancestors, they were a favorite treat for Shrovetide, when the spring replaces winter, and the sunny days become noticeably more frequent. There are lots of recipes and variations in serving Russian dessert crepes – with honey, jam, fruit and berries, condensed sweet milk.
Here are some recipes of Russian pancakes for you
2. Tula Gingerbread
Gingerbread can be rightly called one of the most ancient Russian sweets. Known to the ancient Egyptians already, it came to the territory of Russia in the 9th century. Back then, gingerbread was made of rye flour mixed with honey and berry juice. The most famous Russian gingerbread is Tula Gingerbread, the sweet symbol of this town situated not far from Moscow. There is even the Museum of Tula Gingerbread in this town. This gingerbread has traditional jam or condensed milk stuffing.
3. Vatrushka (Farmer Cheesecake)
This is another still popular sweet pastry, which has come down to us from hoary antiquity. This simple and delicious recipe was invented by the ancient Slavic tribes. This is a medium size round cake made from yeast-raised, sweet or unleavened dough, with a filler of farmer cheese with sugar, raisins, jam, condensed milk or jam. Although the recipe is very simple, vatrushka is very popular till date and available at almost any food store.
4. Syrniki (Curd Fritters) and Oladyi (Battercakes)
Curd fritters and battercakes, i.e. thick pancakes do not look like sweet desserts on their own. However they become really lip-smacking when traditionally garnished with sour cream, jam, honey, or sweet syrups. In addition, the syrniki, i.e. curd fritters are often made with apples, pears, dried apricots, nuts, pumpkin or zucchini pulp added to the base of cottage cheese, flour and eggs.
The Easter was one of the most important Russian holidays. Naturally, the Easter cake Kulich was an integral part of many rituals. There was even a belief that if kulich turns out to be fluffy and good-looking, then the whole family would be healthy, happy and rich.
More Russian Easter recipes here6. Baked Apples
Not too many fruit grow in Russia, but apples are plenty in season. Thus, it is the apple that makes the basis of Russian fruit desserts. Apples with their cores removed are pre-soaked in various sweet syrups. Afterwards, they are filled with some sweet stuffing, such as raisins, nuts and the like, and baked.
7. Apple Pastila
Russian merchants had extensive trade links with the Arab and adopted the recipe of fruit paste from there. This light, soft and tender dessert remains popular till date. The main ingredients of this dessert, which appeared in Russia in the 14th century, were Russian sour apples and honey. In the 15th century egg whites came to be added into the recipe. In the 19th century, Russian confectioners replaced honey with sugar, and this is how it is produced on a large scale nowadays.
Apple pastila is a delicate, fragrant and surprisingly useful dessert. The wife of Leo Tolstoy, Sophia, treated apple pastila to their guests.
Russian Cuisine – Traditional Russian Dishes You Should Try
Author: Vera Ivanova
Looking for authentic Russian desserts? From cakes to fudge to crepes, these easy recipes will end your meal with a Russian twist.
You might not believe it, but Russian desserts are wonderfully varied.
Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
Need something adorable and colorful? Try out a waffle cake.
What about something creamy and light? Bird’s milk cake is for you!
Even though they have an enormous love for sour cream, Russians also love their sweet treats!
Try these 14 traditional Russian desserts for something that’s different from the norm and a lot more fun.
Russian Chocolate Salami
As far as no-bake treats go, this has to be one of my favorites.
I have a deep love for a good cheese board with a variety of meats and cheeses.
And then I discovered the sweets board. How had I not thought of it before?
The recipe for chocolate salami is as easy as it is genius.
Made with cookie crumbs and chunks mixed with nuts, butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa, when sliced, it looks just like a piece of salami.
Now picture it on a pretty wooden board with sweet crackers, fruits, and maybe even a chocolate chip dip!
Bird’s Milk Cake
Using sour cream as the main ingredient had me a little skeptical, but this cake is delicious.
With a light, thin, sweet milk-soaked cake as a base, the sour cream filling is smooth with just the right amount of sweet and sour.
When you whip up the sour cream, it will need about 15 minutes to almost double in size.
This mousse is stabilized with gelatin, so no need to worry about it losing its height.
It gets topped with a chocolate ganache for a richness that pairs perfectly with the sweetened sour cream tang.
Russian Fudge
There aren’t too many steps for this five-ingredient fudge.
You’ll need a large microwave-safe bowl and some oven-mitts close by.
Mix the sugar, butter, golden syrup, and condensed milk and microwave for two minutes.
Carefully remove the bowl and stir everything together again.
Repeat these steps until the mix has been in the microwave for eight minutes.
At this point, you’ll need to check the temperature. An easy way to test without a thermometer is to drop a little into a glass of water. If the mix forms a small ball, it’s ready to use.
The last step is to beat the mixture with the vanilla for five minutes. It will be hard going, but I believe in you!
Kartoshka
Kartoshka are essentially Russian cake pops.
Made using cookie crumbs and condensed milk, they’re so simple yet so delicious.
This recipe also uses butter, cocoa, and a little cognac, along with some chopped nuts for added flavor.
The beauty is that you can change these up so easily. Try using vanilla cookies, lime zest, and tequila, with a sprinkle of sea salt for a tropical change.
Russian Apple Cake
You might think that five ingredients aren’t enough to make a wonderfully moist and flavorful cake.
This recipe proves us all wrong.
Incorporating thick and fluffy eggs whipped with sugar, the flour and baking powder simply needs to be folded through.
Before you have the flour completely mixed in, add the chopped apples and gently mix to combine.
When baked, this is a lighter-than-air, sweet cake, dotted with tart apple pieces for great moisture and pops of flavor.
Russian Tea Cakes
In the U.K., tea cakes are soft sweet buns, often spiced and dotted with dried fruit.
In Russia, they’re baked shortbread balls that get rolled in powdered sugar.
These would be the cutest addition to your Christmas cookie plate.
This recipe uses chopped nuts inside of a simple buttery shortbread-like cookie. But you can add anything, including cinnamon and candied citrus peel.
Russian Royal Cake
As the name would suggest, this cake is both elegant and regal looking.
Royal cake has layers of sour cream sponge cakes. It’s flavored with poppy seeds, chopped nuts, chocolate, cherry, and chocolate chips.
That makes four distinct sponge layers, made using one single sour cream-based recipe.
As if all those amazing flavors aren’t enough, there are layers of dulce de leche buttercream between each cake!
During the winter months, I crave hot drinks. Just looking outside gives me the chills.
But there’s only so much coffee my nerves can handle.
This warm, slightly fruity spiced tea is the perfect winter warmer.
When left to cook in the slow cooker, your entire house will be brimming with festive spice!
If you’re not a fan of pineapple, maybe try orange juice in its place.
Just be careful not to steep the tea bags for too long, as it can become bitter.
Russian Blini (Crepes)
A crepe by any other name still tastes just as sweet.
To be honest, there’s isn’t much difference between this recipe and a traditional crepe. In some cases, they are made using yeast, but this recipe doesn’t use any.
In Russia, they’re a little smaller and served with a dollop of sour cream.
If you like your crepes savory, cut back on the sugar and serve with mature cheddar and smoked ham.
Waffle Cake
If you’ve never seen a Russian palace, they’re over-the-top, colorful, and full of bling.
In a cold climate like they have, it’s no wonder they like to add color wherever they can. And this recipe certainty qualifies!
You’ll need to find the colored wafers to make this as fun as possible! I found a great source online that delivers worldwide.
These get layered with an amazing dulce de leche cream cheese mixture.
After letting it sit for a few hours, you can slice into fun shapes.
Russian Rugelach
It’s almost dangerous how easy these little bites are to make.
It’s a yeast-based dough, but there’s no need to worry about temperatures and proofing.
Once the simple dough is mixed, you can roll it out and form into mini croissant-like bundles.
The only waiting you have is before you bake. Give them time to rise before baking to golden.
Cover them in powdered sugar and serve with hot coffee.
Salted Caramel White Russian
Things I may or may not be obsessed with include salted caramel, white chocolate, and a good cocktail.
So naturally, this is one of my faves!
Other than whipped cream vodka, salted caramel is probably the next best thing!
This boozy babe is an irresistible mixture of vodka, Kahlua, and cream.
Coat your glass with caramel like you would a sundae, and enjoy this sweet, sinful treat.
Cherry Soup
Most of the fruit soups I’ve had are served cold.
Although Kissel can be served cold, it’s best served while still warm.
The sweet and tart cherry soup gets thickened with a touch of potato starch for a super simple Russian dessert.
Russian Honey Cake
Though this looks impressive, it is actually just seven ingredients!
The key to this honey cake is the ultra-thin layers. The cake layers need to be baked on a tray and cut to size.
For the frosting, it’s as simple as whisking Cool Whip with sour cream. (Have you noticed the Russians’ love of sour cream?)
Let it sit overnight to set so that you can get a good slice and see all the layers.
14 Traditional Russian Dessert Collection
- Russian Chocolate Salami
- Bird’s Milk Cake
- Russian Apple Cake
- Russian Tea Cakes
- Russian Royal Cake
- Russian Blini (Crepes)
- Salted Caramel White Russian
- Russian Honey Cake
Directions
- Select your favorite recipe.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a Russian delicacy in 30 minutes or less!
Have you ever tried Russian breakfast foods? In a lot of ways, Russians’ breakfasts are a lot like Americans’ breakfasts.
They often start the morning off with coffee or tea. Eggs, sausage, and buttered bread are common breakfast staples, as well.
However, Russia really shines when it comes to its sweet dishes.
If you’re a fan of morning pastries and other sugary treats, you would do just fine sitting around a Russian breakfast table.
On this list, you’ll find many things that are similar to some of your own breakfast favorites; although they may be called by different names.
There are also some variations on common American breakfast foods, such as Russian pancakes and millet porridge.
So settle in and grab a snack because these Russian breakfast dishes are bound to make your tummy rumble.
Although tea in Russia isn’t quite the art form that it is in China, it’s still a much bigger deal than our “pour it from a jug” Milo’s or our “steep it for 5 minutes” stove-top Lipton’s.
To make authentic Russian tea, you’ll need about 3 hours.
You’ll also need cinnamon sticks, cloves, and juice from pineapples, lemons, and oranges.
This tea is a sweet, flavorful, and aromatic delight, and once you’ve had it, you’ll be hooked.
If I knew I was waking up to that every morning, I might actually learn to become a morning person.
Buckwheat Porridge
Buckwheat is a famous Russian ingredient, and it’s good for you, too.
It’s high in protein, has a low glycemic index, is naturally gluten-free, and helps lower bad cholesterol.
We should all eat more buckwheat, and with this tasty porridge recipe, we might even enjoy it.
Aside from the buckwheat, all you’ll need is milk, honey, butter, salt, and water.
You can have it prepped for the stove in 5 minutes and ready to eat in another 15.
Top it with some fresh fruit, and you’ll have a quick, healthy, and yummy way to start the day.
Russian Pancakes
Russian pancakes are the perfect middle ground between big, fluffy IHOP pancakes and thin, crispy-edged French crepes.
They’re light and fluffy, but their edges have a wonderful crispiness that makes them even better.
In addition, they’re very easy to make, requiring only essential ingredients.
If you have the time, you should also make the raspberry jam and sour cream topping.
That’s how people usually serve them in Russia, and they’re surprisingly tasty.
Syrniki (Russian Cheese Pancakes)
Syrnikis are more like those fluffy IHOP pancakes in consistency, but you’ll make them with farmer’s cheese instead of pancake mix.
This makes them fat and soft, and they have an interesting taste that’s still sweet but also mildly cheesy.
Despite their cheesiness, people often eat them with jam, honey, syrup, or sweet sour cream.
If you’re unsure of what to top them with, my advice is to stick to the basics and use good old maple syrup.
Donut Holes (Ponchiki)
Soft, sweet, and dusted with powdered sugar, these donut holes are also cheesy, thanks to the farmer’s cheese.
They don’t taste like the donut holes you’re used to eating, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less delicious.
Maybe it’s the minuscule amount of flour, or perhaps it’s the farmer’s cheese, but for some reason, these taste just as incredible when they’re cold as they do when they’re hot.
That makes them the perfect “cook the night before” breakfast items.
Russian Black Bread
Rye is one of Russia’s most popular breads, and Russian black bread is simply dark, rich rye bread made with tons of flavorful ingredients.
This loaf contains brown sugar, molasses, fennel and caraway seeds, coffee, wheat bran, and cocoa powder (among other things).
It should come as no surprise, then, that it has more flavor than most breads you eat.
It’s a thick, hearty bread, and it tastes amazing with honey butter.
Semolina Porridge
Also called mannaya kasha or farina, semolina porridge is known by another name in the United States – cream of wheat.
It’s a quick, healthy breakfast option that you can have on the table in 10 minutes or less.
Serve it plain or with butter, sugar, syrup, or fruit. Either way, it’s a hot and tasty morning meal.
Sandwiches
If you’re looking for the perfect Russian breakfast sandwich to enjoy along with your Russian tea, grab some cold-cut deli meat, Havarti cheese, mayonnaise, and a cucumber.
And don’t forget the rye bread, of course! Toast the bread slices.
Then cover each in mayo and layer the other ingredients on top for a fresh, cool breakfast.
Millet Porridge
Then all you’ll have to do for breakfast is take 5 minutes to add the sweet honey glaze to the plums.
Pour them on top of the porridge and enjoy a wonderful meal.
Farmers Cheese Cake Recipe (Zapekanka)
Zapekanka is a breakfast cake made with farmer’s cheese and a few other ingredients.
Thanks to the eggs, raisins, and cream of wheat, it’s hearty enough to have for breakfast.
However, it’s also sweet enough to serve for dessert. It’s soft, moist, and has a slightly sweet, totally unique flavor you’ll love.
It tastes fantastic when eaten hot, and it’s almost as good cold.
Draniki
These thin, crispy potato pancakes are more savory than sweet.
But if you serve them with applesauce or your favorite jam, they could be confused with a breakfast pastry.
Because they contain onions and garlic, I prefer to leave them savory. I’ll often eat them plain, but I usually go for an herby feta dip if I want dipping sauce.
Grenki
If you can make French toast, you can make grenki. It’s merely French toast made with a baguette instead of toast.
The ingredients and cooking process are the same.
It takes about 10 minutes to make six servings of grenki.
Serve them with whipped cream, fresh fruit, maple syrup, or anything else you enjoy on your French toast.
Fried Eggs
I’m sure you’ve made hundreds of fried eggs in your life, but they’re such a staple of Russian breakfast that I couldn’t leave them off the list.
Vareniki with Cherries
These may look like Chinese dumplings, but that couldn’t be further from what they are.
I’m not going to lie; these take a little bit of time and effort to pull together.
If you have a special breakfast or brunch occasion coming up, these will make the perfect addition to it.
Each bite is packed with the flavors of cherries and sugar.
If these little things put you into a sugar coma, at least you’ll feel like you’re headed to heaven. They’re that good.
Just talking about vareniki with cherries makes me want to eat a dozen of them right now.
Sharlotka (Apple Cake)
This five-ingredient apple cake has a moist, airy center, a slightly crunchy and crumbly top, and is dusted in powdered sugar.
It tastes like biting into a fresh apple, but this cake is sweeter and better.
It’s a bit high in carbs, but it’s shockingly low-fat, and the only problem you’ll have is figuring out whether to serve it for breakfast or dessert.
Coffee
Making coffee the Russian way isn’t nearly as time-consuming and intricate a process as making Russian tea.
In fact, you’ll pretty much make it the way you always make it.
The only difference? Add a dash of brown sugar for extra flavor.
Raspberry Jam
People in Russia often use raspberry jam as a topping on their pancakes, bread, draniki, and other things.
It’s a popular spread. Luckily, it’s easy to make.
All you’ll need are four cups of raspberries and four cups of sugar. You can make the jam on your stove in about half an hour.
Russian Cream Cheese Vatrushka Buns
Whether you’re eating them for breakfast or dessert, vatrushka buns are delicious, and you won’t want to stop at just one.
You can use whatever you like for the filling, but this recipe uses cream cheese, farmer’s cheese, eggs, sugar, and golden raisins.
It gives it a smooth, creamy, mildly sweet taste.
Other filling options include raspberry jam, cherries, or cream cheese with berries.
Whatever you choose, the soft sweetness of the filling flawlessly complements the tender, chewy, perfectly golden-brown bread surrounding it.
Plushki
Plushki are traditional Russian pastries that are sort of like cream cheese danishes covered with a sugary glaze that’s almost like a cinnamon roll topping.
I know that’s not super clear, but they’re hard to describe. Their flavor, on the other hand, isn’t. They’re insanely good.
They’re super soft and have a buttery, sugary taste that feels like it should melt on your tongue.
They pair perfectly with coffee, Russian tea, regular black tea, or even hot chocolate.
Sweet Piroshky
Piroshky is probably one of the most well-known treats in Russian fare.
Whether they learned about them from a street vendor in New York City or hearing Red talk about them on Orange Is the New Black, plenty of people know what piroshkis are.
There are both sweet and savory piroshkis, but this recipe is for sweet ones.
They’re delightful balls of fried dough surrounding some kind of sweet filling.
For this recipe, you’ll make the filling from poppyseeds, milk, and sugar, but you can use fruit fillings, berries, jams, or even chocolate!
Other Sweet Pastry
National dishes and recipes of European cuisine