This is the childhood cake of most Slavic kids. Because of a very rough lifestyle, people would try to manage to bring in a bit of sweetness into their homes. It had to be a pretty quick and simple recipe. This is why this recipe was a staple in each home.

It is called an Anthill Cake, because it resembles an anthill. I formed this cake the way it is, for easy slicing, but you can shape it anyway you’d like.
This cake tastes like tiny cookies covered in caramel. When it soaks overnight, flavors are absorbed into the cookies, making it a killer cake.
Other Russian Cake Recipes
Recipe
Ingredients
Cake Dough
- 200 g Butter
- 4 cup Flour
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 tbsp White Vinegar
Adding Cream to the Cake
- 2 cn Cooked Condensed Milk
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup Whipping Cream
- 1/2 cup Chocolate Chips
Instructions
Cake Dough
- Prepare all ingredients for the cookie part.
- Using a fork, stir in softened butter. Add in sour cream and continue stirring.
- In a small bowl, combine together baking soda with vinegar. Add the mixture to the dough. Continue mixing until it all comes together. If the dough is too dry, add one or two tablespoons of water.
- Leave the dough in the refrigerator for about an hour. Use a grinder to break the dough into tiny pieces.
- Spread the dough evenly on the bottom of a baking sheet. Bake cookies for about 10 minutes at 350F.
Adding Cream to the Cake
- Break the cookie into tiny pieces. Cook your own condensed milk by making dulce de leche or purchase it.
- Combine softened butter with dulce de leche, mix until it's perfectly creamy.
- Stir cream into the cookies.
- Form the cake as you wish. Most people form a pyramid on a large plate. I used a lined bread pan. Leave it to set in the refrigerator overnight.
- This part is completely optional. Bring heavy whipping cream to a boil. Add chocolate chips to it and let it sit until the chocolate melts.
- Place chocolate into a piping or a ziplock bag. Cut a tiny hole and drizzle the chocolate over the top of the cake.
Nutrition Facts
Anthill Cake (aka Muraveinik)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 454
Calories from Fat 279
% Daily Value*
Fat 31g48%
Saturated Fat 20g100%
Cholesterol 82mg27%
Sodium 209mg9%
Potassium 63mg2%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 955IU19%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 35mg4%
Iron 1.7mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Is there another way to break this dough with out using the stand up mixture? I don't have one
Leave the dough in a freezer for a bit and use a large side of the cheese grater. It would work just as good 🙂
Another question, what is the 200g butter for ? Its listed on the ingredients list.
I separated ingredients to make it easier. Thank you!
Thank you!
How long is your lined bread pan? Where did you buy it?
I think it's 12X18, I got it at business Costco
Thank you!
I made half of this cake Just to sample it and it was delicious :)) I also used a hand grater! I always thought this cake was hard to make but it was so simple! Thanks!
I agree with you Oksana, some recipes look so complicated but so easy 🙂 I am so happy you enjoyed this cake 😉
This cake looks so delicious!! will def try it soon! So I was thinking I absolutely love white chocolate. Do you think it will taste good if I substitute white choc chips? I've never had any version of this cake before so I'm not sure what it tastes like
I think so, especially if you love the white chocolate. It will be wonderful.
Hi. So I'm assuming I need two cans of cooked condensed milk and 2 sticks of butter? thats what I got from the picture since it's not listed in the ingredient list. Thanks!
Oh darn dear!!! I need to add that in but you are totally right.
Slavic kids? I'm from Polish, I have some research on the Slavic cuisine, but such a thing had never heard before. It is in our cake called anthill, but it's not the same cake. Our anthill is stacked with several layers of "Faworki" or crispy, fried cookies.
In any case, the cake looks very appetizing! 🙂
Every child and adult who is Slav or speaks or ever spoke Russian (and that would mean every at that time educated Belorussian, Moldavian and even Latvian, Lithuanian and Georgian - you get the point ) or Ukrainian knows this cake. It is a universal staple because it is so good.
That's good to know 🙂 Its like catching up on the culture while you are on the other side of the world 🙂
Hi how interesting. It's hard to point out every region of countries that make this specific version 🙂 I would love to try out the Polish version for sure.
Have to make this!! Looks awesome!! It looks like your ingredient list is missing the condensed milk??
Yes, thanks for pointing that out. I'll note that in the recipe!
I also mix walnuts in, it goes very well in this cake.
Thanks for the tip, I will try it next time 🙂
I like so add a handful of marshmallow, they go well with the texture.
Oh wow, that's interesting.
I like this cake a lot!!! Because the texture is different from a usual sponge cake ( that is kinda old now ) I really like your presentation !!! Looks a lot better then a pile of dough with cream :))) but girl you have to add the poppy seeds. It's a must and a tradition :))))) those little black things add such a crunch to the cake !!!:)))) will Def try your version of it 🙂
I guess every region had their own way of making it. But I think it would add a nice flavor to it. You can never go wrong with poppy seeds.
We never added poppy seeds. That is 1st time I ever hear of it. Then might as well add chia seeds, boost some nutrition LOL
I like the chia seeds idea. Now I am thinking flax seeds and other seeds and some dry fruits. lol 🙂 whole grain too....
OMG this was my favourite cake ever!!! The best cake ever!!! I would take this over any cream cake any day! You could also use hand grater to grate the dough (like I don't own a Kitchen Aid mixer). "Because of a very rough lifestyle..." lol, it was rough, that's true - bread with butter and sugar for dessert on MANY occasions.
Wow, you actually like desserts 🙂 lol... Yes, I was going to add that into tips. Thanks for mentioning the option with the grater.