Virtual Medovik Class + We're Moving!

Join me for a virtual medovik class on Sunday, December 3, at 11am PST/2pm EST. And I’m starting a Substack!

Polina C.November 15, 2023cooking class, medovik, honey cake, dessert, cake, everyday cakeComment

Berry Almond Ricotta Cake

DessertsPolina C.September 3, 2023cake, everyday cake, ricotta, almond Comments

Labneh Cheesecake Bars with Rhubarb Cardamom Swirl

DessertsPolina C.May 25, 2023cake, rhubarb, labneh, cheesecake, cheeseComment

Rhubarb Cardamom Upside Down Cake

DessertsPolina C.May 25, 2023cake, rhubarb, everyday cake, cardamom, breakfastComment

Carrot Cake with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

DessertsPolina C.April 5, 2023cake, everyday cake, carrot, dessertComment

Double Chocolate Raspberry Rose Cake

DessertsPolina C.February 12, 2023cake, chocolate, rose, raspberry Comments

Whole Citrus Almond Cake

DessertsPolina C.January 31, 2023cake, chocolate, gluten free, citrus, almond, dairy freeComment

Russian Napoleon + Holiday Dessert Roundup!

Flaky layers of puff pastry are filled and topped with whipped pastry cream to make this classic Russian Napoleon. Plus a round up all my favorite desserts from the past year.

Desserts, RussianPolina C.December 20, 2018cake, holiday, cream, pie, tart, washington post, culture magazine, commons, dessertComment

Apple Sharlotka

Light and tender sponge cake and baked apples combine the best of both worlds in this Russian Apple Sharlotka.

Desserts, RussianPolina C.October 15, 2017russian, apple, fall, autumn, sharlotka, cake, dessert, tea, raisin Comments

Russian Crumb Cake

Many have asked how I keep myself busy and yes, I've been reading, binging-watching tv shows and keeping up with my favorite food blogs and websites. However, not as much as I’d initially have thought. The amount of mental energy that goes into thinking and worrying about my hand, the focus required for rehab exercises, the mental fog that comes from constant pain and its partner, pain meds, has left me surprisingly pretty unproductive.

Desserts, RussianPolina C.March 6, 2017cake, jam, tea, dessert, nuts Comments

The Ideal "Ideal" Torte

When I call my mother to ask her for a family recipe, I always make sure to have a pen, paper, and at least a hour set aside for the conversation. You see, more times than not, there is no recipe—not one written down that is. These recipes, born in the Soviet Union and passed down from woman to woman over the years, have simply been put to memory and rely more on basic know-how and techniques than on rigid instructions.