Top 5 Ukrainian Desserts

Syrniki is a dessert consisting of fried cottage cheese pancakes that are usually garnished with honey, fruit jam, sour cream, or applesauce. It is part of the Russian (where it's sometimes also called tvorozhniki), Belarusian, Ukrainian, Latvian and Lithuanian cuisine. Cottage cheese is traditionally first swetened with sugar, then combined with flour into a dough which is fried in hot oil until it develops a golden-brown color. Syrniki can be served for breakfast or consumed as a tasty dessert after a large meal.Expand

Small, but packed with flavor, the batter for these famous Russian pancakes differs from those for traditional pancakes as it is prepared with kefir, a fermented milk product with a slightly sour taste. Aside from kefir, the remaining ingredients for oladyi are typical for any run-of-the-mill pancake – flour, sugar, salt, and eggs. They are pan-fried into small rounds, similar to American-style pancakes. The pancakes turn golden brown when finished, and they are chewy with crunchy edges. They are slightly sweet and neutral in flavor, while the kefir lends them a mild sour note. These small, thick pancakes can be served plain or with honey, chocolate, fresh fruit, sour cream, or a variety of fruit preserves. Fresh fruit and chocolate chips are also occasionally added to the batter. Oladyi are a typical breakfast dish, and they are best served hot off the griddle while they are still fluffy and soft in the center and crunchy around the edges.Expand

Kyivski tort is a traditional Soviet cake originating from Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Instead of common sponge cake, kyivski tort contains a nutty meringue with a crunchy and airy texture, a technique which was created in 1956 at the Karl Marx Confectionery Factory. Although walnuts were initially used for the meringue, they were later replaced with cashews, and then hazelnuts. The layers of nutty meringue are combined with a sweet vanilla and chocolate buttercream. The cake is usually sprinkled with chopped hazelnuts and left to cool before serving, so that the cream develops a silky, mousse-like texture. Due to the long process of preparation, this cake is usually served on special occasions.Expand

Kutia is a Ukrainian, Russian, Belarusian, and Polish sweet grain pudding that is traditionally served as part of a twelve-meal Christmas Eve supper. Interestingly enough, this festive treat is believed to have existed long before Christianity. It is made with wheat, berries, honey or sugar, nuts, raisins, and poppy seeds.On Christmas Eve, before consuming the dish, a small bowl of kutia is traditionally placed outdoors as a bribe to Father Frost, then some of the kutia is tossed to the ceiling, and the number of grains that stick to the ceiling are used to predict next year's agricultural prosperity.Expand

Gamula is a traditional dessert that's usually made in autumn. The dessert is made with a combination of flour, honey, and soft and beaten apples that can't be stored in cellars. The apples are baked in the oven, cooled, and puréed. The purée is mixed with flour (or flour and oatmeal) and honey. The mixture is then placed in an ovenproof dish and baked in the oven on low heat until a crust forms at the top and the dessert becomes golden brown. Once done, apple gamula is typically served with a cup of tea on the side.Expand