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Ukrainian Poppy Seed Cake with Nuts and Raisins

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  • Author: Douaa
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 15 slices
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This traditional Ukrainian Poppy Seed Cake, known as Tort Ckazka, is a layered sponge cake filled with poppy seeds, walnuts, and raisins, all smothered in silky dulce de leche buttercream. Perfect for holidays, tea time, or festive celebrations, it’s a rich and nostalgic Eastern European dessert.

Ingredients

Sponge Cake Layers:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 1/2 cups sour cream

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar

Mix-ins:

  • 1/3 cup poppy seeds

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

  • 1/2 cup raisins

Frosting:

  • 300g (about 1 1/3 cups) softened butter

  • 500g (about 1 1/2 cups) dulce de leche

Garnish (optional):

  • 187g (3/4 cup) softened butter

  • 275g (about 1 cup) dulce de leche

  • 1 cup coarsely ground walnuts

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line three 13×9-inch pans with parchment paper.

  • In a stand mixer, beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla sugar on high speed for 20 minutes until thick and pale.

  • Add sour cream and baking soda, mixing gently. Fold in flour until just combined.

  • Divide the batter into three equal parts:

    • Fold poppy seeds into one part

    • Fold chopped walnuts into the second

    • Fold raisins into the third

  • Spread each batter into a prepared pan and bake each for 10–15 minutes. Let layers cool completely.

  • For the frosting, beat softened butter until fluffy. Add dulce de leche and beat until smooth and creamy.

  • Assemble the cake:

    • Start with the walnut layer, add a layer of frosting

    • Add the poppy seed layer, then another layer of frosting

    • Top with the raisin layer and cover the whole cake with remaining frosting

  • For optional garnish, beat additional butter and dulce de leche until light. Pipe decorative swirls on top and press ground walnuts onto the sides.

  • Chill cake before slicing for clean layers.

Notes

  • Use softened butter at room temperature for best frosting texture.

  • You can soak raisins in warm water or rum beforehand for extra softness.

  • The cake tastes even better the next day once the layers have set.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://yumsprint.com/ukrainian-poppy-seed-cake-with-nuts-and-raisins/