# Smerekova Khata: Coziest Cake Ever?
[Also known as \\”Firewood Under the Snow\\” Cake. The version in this pic is without the sour cream topping.](https://preview.redd.it/mgsdhwuoo1td1.png?width=1777&format=png&auto=webp&s=fa844366499eea59140e17ea9a2b51eb46f7bf82)
Compared to other desserts we’ve written about, today’s recipe has a quite monumental structure – but it actually takes its inspiration from the most humble of architecture: I’m talking about **“Spruce House” Cake**[.](https://imgur.com/a/1QbHWPK) Alternatively, this dish is often called the “Monastery Hut” cake, or even better – “Firewood Under the Snow” which I personally think is the most fitting title.
By any name, this dish resembles the roof of a traditional house (we wrote about them [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/vilc2o/447_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_120th_day_of/:)) and is very popular in Ukraine and in Moldova. “Spruce House” is the name of a very popular old Ukrainian song that we will translate for you next week 🙂
The cake is rolled into tubes, filled with sour cherries, and stacked in a triangle – then coated with a sour cream frosting (fully substituting with whipped cream is a totally normal and acceptable thing).
[Mmmmm.](https://preview.redd.it/b59rtemto1td1.png?width=760&format=png&auto=webp&s=4d7ac15bd461e3962291e51a6589b43458446eeb)
As you know from our series, Ukrainians love their cherries (see these dishes: [Drunken Cherry Cake](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/xzc54d/710_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_228th_day_of/) | [Vishnyak](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/xv4tgk/702_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_223rd_day_of/)) and their sour cream. So let’s put those together, brick by brick! Well… beam by beam.
As this is very likely a modern dish that was (probably?) created in the late 19th or 20th Century, we don’t have too much to write about in terms of its history. So let’s proceed straight away with how to kick off this delicious construction project.
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
# How to Make Spruce House Cake
[Line em up!](https://preview.redd.it/skrt73fom1td1.png?width=1140&format=png&auto=webp&s=d9a4a50ac3b75b2ffd0306c02da7ee18e5fd47b8)
**Ingredients**
* Butter: 200 g, chilled so it can be grated
* Sour cream: 200 g
* Salt: 1/4 tsp
* Cake Flour: 350-400 g
* Heavy cream: 500 g (add more to taste)
* Powdered sugar: 250-300 g
* Sour cherries: 2 cans, or equivalent fresh
**Recipe**
1. To make the dough, take the butter out of the fridge. Grate the butter on a coarse grater. Mix the grated butter with flour. Add salt and 200 g of sour cream to the mix. Do not over mix. The mixture should not be fully smooth, so it can form layers during baking. Make a ball.
2. Divide the dough into 5 pieces, sprinkle them with flour, and place them in the fridge to cool. After cooling, roll each piece into a rectangle. The rectangle should be 25×30 cm in size (approx. 9×11 inches).
3. Cut the rolled-out rectangle into 3 strips. Place prepared cherries (gently press the water out) on each strip and roll them up to form tubes. To better seal the edges of the dough, brush them with water. Place the tubes on a baking sheet and bake them in the oven at 200°C (405F) until golden.
4. Once baked, remove the tubes from the oven and let them cool. After they have cooled, trim the edges to make them even.
5. To prepare the cream, take heavy cream and powdered sugar. Add vanilla sugar, mix gently, and whip with a mixer. When the cream is ready – you can assemble the cake.
6. Spread 2-3 tablespoons of cream on the plate where the cake will be placed. Arrange 5 tubes of baked dough with cherries in a row and cover them with cream. For each additional layer, place one fewer tube.
7. Put the cake in a cool place to set for at least 8 hours. After it has set, cover the cake with the remaining cream. You can decorate the cake with melted chocolate or chocolate shavings.
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
# Смачного!
**Part of our series on Ukrainian recipes! You can find the other entries in the series here:**
[Borshch](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/ujdbyy/525_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_72nd_day_of_the/) | [Varenyky (Recipe)](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/18uyrw1/758_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_676th/) | [Varenyky Cultural Background](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/uoha8j/513_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_79th_day_of_the/) | [Horilka](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/vn3t7k/449_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_126th_day_of/) | [Banosh](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/wnvjbc/545_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_172nd_day_of/) | [Hrechanyky](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/wzkx04/606_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_186th_day_of/) | [Kyivskyi Cake](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/x5chyp/616_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_193rd_day_of/) | [Makivnyk](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/xncn7u/648_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_213th_day_of/) | [Vyshnyak](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/xv4tgk/702_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_223rd_day_of/) | [Drunken Cherry Cake](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/xzc54d/710_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_228th_day_of/) | [Varenukha](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/y57gfc/722_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_235th_day_of/) | [Pumpkin Porridge](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/yga79d/743_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_248th_day_of/) | [Lazy Varenyky](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/yneeur/657_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_256th_day_of/) | [Holubtsi](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/yzuud7/720_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_270th_day_of/) | [Kalach](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/z5s5c8/731_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_277th_day_of/) | [Kvas](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/zbztko/740_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_284th_day_of/) | [Christmas Borshch](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/znyi0o/753_eest_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_297th_day_of/) | [Uzvar](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/zoqixh/754_eet_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_298th_day_of_the/) | [Kutya](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/zt5tip/757_eet_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_303rd_day_of_the/) | [Beetroot Salad](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/10iachm/746_eet_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_333rd_day_of_the/) | [Kapusnyak (Traditional)](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/10nxyj4/738_eet_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_340th_day_of_the/) | [Nalysnyk](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/10u0d88/729_eet_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_347th_day_of_the/) | [Bublyk](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1106kfe/716_eet_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_353rd_day_of_the/) | [Deruny](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/11c53n6/649_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_368th/) | [Wild Mushroom Sauce](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/11imch0/634_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_375th/) | [Kozak Kapusnyak](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/10nxyj4/738_eet_the_sun_is_rising_on_the_340th_day_of_the/) | [Yavorivskyi Pie](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/11p4y44/619_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_382nd/) | [Spring Dough Birds](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/11v9h50/604_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_389th/) | [Kholodets](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1227lpb/551_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_395th/) | [Easter Bread (Babka/Paska)](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1298603/633_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_403rd/) | [Khrin & Tsvikli](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/12g82m1/618_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_410th/) | [Shpundra](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/12nthdt/603_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_417th/) | [Teterya](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/12vtspl/549_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_424th/) | [Green Borshch](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/133dqb8/536_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_431st/) | [Kalatusha](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/13aarl8/523_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_438th/) | [Elderflower Kvas](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/13h0m0t/512_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_445th/) | [Crimean Tatar Chebureky](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/13nla5r/503_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_452nd/) | [Ryazhanka](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/13tp1go/505_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_459th/) | [Verhuny](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/13zxs4w/450_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_466th/) | [Liubystok (Lovage)](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/146j8wl/447_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_473rd/) | [Young Borshch with Hychka](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/14c7wda/446_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_480th/) | [Baturyn Cookies](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/14i9mec/447_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_487th/) | [Strawberry Varenyky](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/14oca2x/451_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_494th/) | [Stinging Nettle Pancakes](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/14umf45/457_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_501st/) | [Kholodnyk](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/150uh21/504_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_508th/) | [Syrnyky](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1571sk4/513_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_515th/) | [Salo](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/15d9yqk/521_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_522nd/) | [Kotleta Po Kyivsky (Chicken Kyiv)](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/15je1lw/532_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_529th/) | [Savory Garlic Pampushky](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/15pmiqm/543_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_536th/) | [Pampukh (Donuts)](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/15vzct0/553_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_543rd/) | [Halushky](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/162fl6u/604_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_550th/) | [Odesa Borshch](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/169gl37/616_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_558th/) | [Korovai](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/16ep3il/625_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_564th/) | [Hombovtsi](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/16kp8i1/636_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_571st/) | [Traditional Medivnyk](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/16qn4x0/647_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_578th/) | [Space Age Medivnyk](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/16vvnhx/656_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_584th/) | [Mandryk](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/172p2oz/708_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_592nd/) | [Pliatsky: Royal Cherry](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1787mkz/720_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_599th/) | [Ohirkivka (Pickle Soup)](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/17dlcgw/731_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_606th/) | [Benderyky](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/17iuubt/643_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_613th/) | [Pliatsok “Hutsulka”](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/17o39r0/655_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_620th/) | [Kruchenyky](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/17tc2va/706_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_627th/) | [Vereshchaka](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/183zqxt/716_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_641st/) | [Medivka](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/18eubo9/746_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_655th/) | [Honey Cookies](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/189m473/739_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_648th/) | [Fuchky](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/190kl8w/758_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_683rd/) | [Khrinovukha](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1967d6r/753_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_690th/) | [Knysh](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/19bvk9v/747_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_697th/) | [Bryndzya](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1ac1uqf/741_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_703rd/) | [Kalyta](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1ahoijl/731_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_710th/) | [Pasulya Pidbyvana](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1ao014k/725_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_718th/) | [Kapusnyak (Easy)](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1atlaz6/705_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_725th/) | [Kvasha](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1azdxwn/651_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_732nd/) | [Kachana Kasha](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1b57mwp/637_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_739th/) | [Mazuryky](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1bgnfuk/607_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_753rd/) | [The Ponchyky of Lake Svitiaz](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1bm9hiq/551_eet_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_760th/) | [Rosivnytsia](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1bwz86j/623_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_773rd/) | [Kulish](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1c3kho7/606_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_781st/) | [Shcherba](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1c98s0j/551_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_788th/) | [Dandelion Honey](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1cevq1r/538_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_795th/) | [Sandy Varenyky](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1cpxqmg/516_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_809th/) | [Potaptsi](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1cvef90/504_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_816th/) | [Kasha Zozulya](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1d0r5lq/457_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_823rd/) | [Tovchanka](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1d631yq/451_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_830th/) | [Cherry Kompot](https://new.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1dbl2nc/447_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_837th/) | [Crimean Tatar Coffee Culture](https://new.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1dmcxg5/447_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_850th/) | [Stewed Cabbage with Prunes & Walnuts](https://new.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1drrfqp/450_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_857th/) | [Grated Pie with Fresh Strawberries](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1dx5toi/456_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_865th/) | [New Potatoes with Dill](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1e2t3t9/502_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_872nd/) | [Kysil](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1e8czfx/511_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_879th/) | [Zucchini Deruny](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1edxf75/520_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_886th/) | [Manna Kasha](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1ejlb9a/527_eest_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_893rd/) | [Varenyky with Cherries](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1euzfcu/551_am_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_907th/) | [Apple Carrot Salad](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1f630ao/613_am_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_921st/) | [Vatrushka](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1fcfzbf/620_am_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_929th/) | [Vylkove Fish Soup](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1fh1zcc/634_am_the_sun_is_rising_over_kyiv_on_the_935th/)
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
The 956th day of a ten-year invasion that has been going on for centuries[.](https://imgur.com/a/bh0O7OJ)
One day closer to victory.
# 🇺🇦 HEROIAM SLAVA! 🇺🇦
Source: duellingislands