Medianyk - Russian Honey Cake

A Russian favourite, once tasted never forgotten - I first sampled this in a local Russian cafe, sadly shut down now and turned in to a greasy spoon.

Preparation time: 20 minutes   Quantity: Makes 10 - 12 slices   Cooking time: 1 hour

Ingredients

120g / 4 oz butter - softened
4 eggs – medium / large - separated
400g / 14 oz honey - runny
400g / 14 oz self raising plain flour - sieved
1 level teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Method

  • Cream the butter and egg yolks together
  • Beat in the honey
  • Stir in the flour
  • Add the spices and stir in - set aside
  • Meanwhile whip up the egg whites until just stiff
  • Gently fold them in to the cake mix
  • Spoon in to a greased cake tin or 2lb loaf tin
  • Bake in a preheated oven gas 5 / 180*c / 350*f - for 1 hour or until a skewer comes out of the middle clean
  • Cool slightly before removing
  • Serve hot, warm or cold with slightly soured yoghurt