Chocolate Spartak Cake Recipe

Indulge your chocolate-loving heart with this irresistible Chocolate Spartak Cake, a beloved layered dessert from Eastern Europe that wraps every bite in nostalgia and creamy decadence. With delicate chocolate layers alternated with a dreamy, tangy cream, this cake is a celebration centerpiece that’s surprisingly approachable to make at home. The end result is a showstopper: a perfect blend of sweetness, richness, and melt-in-your-mouth texture that begs to be shared with family and friends for any special occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Chocolate Spartak Cake comes together with a handful of baking staples. Each ingredient plays a starring role—some add structure, others build up flavor, and a few surprise you with how much they elevate the final look.

• Egg: Provides structure and helps the cake layers rise, creating a tender crumb.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and a touch of caramelization as the layers bake.
• Unsalted Butter: Brings richness and ensures soft, melt-in-your-mouth cake layers and creamy frosting.
• Warm Milk: Keeps the dough supple and adds subtle moisture.
• Baking Soda: Gives the cake a gentle lift, making the layers airy instead of dense.
• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the backbone of the cake, offering necessary structure and bite.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep, dark chocolate flavor and the classic color of Spartak cake.
• Butter for Cream: Whips into an airy base for the rich, silky Spartak cream.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Infuses the filling with milky sweetness and a creamy finish.
• Cream Cheese: Provides tang and body to the frosting, balancing out the sweetness.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Whips up beautifully to lighten the cream and give it a luscious, fluffy texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream and helps stabilize it for smooth folding into the frosting.

How to Make Chocolate Spartak Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Cake Dough

To start, preheat your oven to 350°F and set out a couple of baking trays. Sift together your measured flour and cocoa powder. This little Extra step ensures your cake layers will be perfectly smooth, with zero dry lumps hiding in the mix.

Step 2: Whisk the Eggs and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg and sugar together with the whisk attachment for about six minutes, until the mixture turns pale and thick. Don’t rush this—it helps the cake layers bake up light and tender.

Step 3: Incorporate Butter, Milk, and Baking Soda

Once your mixture is fluffy, add in the softened butter, warm milk, and baking soda. Continue beating at medium-high speed for another three minutes until you have a smooth, creamy mixture. This step adds richness and soft texture to every layer.

Step 4: Steam the Mixture

Now for a unique touch: Set the bowl over a pot of simmering water, making sure the bottom doesn’t touch the water. Gently steam the batter for about 10 minutes, stirring often. This creates a silky chocolate base and deepens the flavor so your Chocolate Spartak Cake truly stands out.

Step 5: Combine with Flour and Rest

Take your bowl off the heat and immediately stir in the flour and cocoa mixture. Mix until smooth, then let your dough rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. This break lets the dough relax and thicken up to the perfect rolling consistency.

Step 6: Roll and Cut the Layers

On a floured sheet of parchment, roll the dough into a thin circle about nine inches in diameter. Use a plate as a template to cut perfect rounds—the scraps you save will become the cake’s crunchy topping later!

Step 7: Bake the Cake Layers

Slide each dough round onto a baking sheet and bake for about 4 to 5 minutes at 350°F, just until the edges are set and start to brown. Let the layers cool completely on a dry surface. Be gentle—these delicate rounds are fragile when they’re hot but crisp up as they cool.

Step 8: Stack and Store

Once baked, carefully stack the cooled cake layers, wrapping them in plastic if you’re not assembling right away. This keeps them soft and ready to absorb the creamy filling later on.

Step 9: Make the Spartak Cream Frosting

For the luscious cream, beat together the softened butter and sweetened condensed milk for about seven minutes, scraping the bowl as you go. Gradually add softened cream cheese, then beat for a few more minutes until completely smooth and creamy.

Step 10: Whip and Fold in Cream

In a separate cold bowl, whip the chilled heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Gently fold this whipped cream into your butter mixture until it’s all seamlessly combined. The result: an impossibly light, smooth, and fluffy Spartak cream.

Step 11: Assemble the Chocolate Spartak Cake

Lay down your first cake round on a sheet of parchment. Slather on a generous amount of frosting, then layer the next cake round, gently pressing to remove any air pockets. Repeat with all layers, finishing with a coat of cream over the sides and top. You want every inch smothered in that dreamy filling!

Step 12: Decorate with Cake Crumbs

Take the reserved baked scraps, crush them with a rolling pin, and shower the crumbs over the top and sides. This step gives the Chocolate Spartak Cake its signature rustic finish and a subtle, toasty crunch.

Step 13: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the cake overnight—or at least 10 hours—so the layers soak in the cream and become wonderfully tender. The wait is worth it, letting all the flavors marry for the ultimate slice of Chocolate Spartak Cake perfection!

How to Serve Chocolate Spartak Cake

Garnishes

Dress up your Chocolate Spartak Cake with a sprinkle of grated dark chocolate, a shower of chocolate curls, or delicate powdered sugar snow on top. A few fresh berries or even edible flowers add festive color and an extra special touch for celebrations.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with a bold cup of coffee or, for a cozier vibe, a mug of hot cocoa or black tea. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream offers extra indulgence for dessert lovers.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Chocolate Spartak Cake into a dessert centerpiece by assembling in a clear trifle dish for dramatic layers, cutting it into elegant squares for a tea party, or stacking with extra berries or chocolate shards for special occasions. You can even turn leftover crumbs into bite-sized cake truffles for something a little different!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Tuck any leftover Chocolate Spartak Cake in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days. The cake only gets better with time as the layers meld together and the flavors develop further.

Freezing

You can freeze individual slices or the whole cake! Wrap tightly in plastic followed by foil, and store for up to two months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before serving to keep the texture perfect.

Reheating

This cake is best enjoyed cold or at cool room temperature, so no need to reheat. If you’re craving a warm dessert, let a slice sit out for 20 minutes to gently soften before savoring.

FAQs

Can I make Chocolate Spartak Cake in advance?

Absolutely! In fact, making it a day ahead is ideal as it allows the layers to absorb the cream, turning every slice ultra-moist and flavorful.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

No worries—a handheld electric mixer or even a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease will do the trick, just be sure to beat the mixtures well for the fluffiest results.

Do I need to cook the sweetened condensed milk?

No, for Chocolate Spartak Cake you use the sweetened condensed milk right out of the can, so it keeps the cream airy and silky without the extra step of caramelizing it.

Can I use Dutch-process cocoa powder?

Yes, Dutch-process cocoa will give a deeper chocolate flavor and a dark, elegant color. Make sure to use the same amount as in the recipe for perfect results.

What if I don’t have a round dish for cutting layers?

You can use any circular object about nine inches across—a cake pan, a dinner plate, or even a bowl. The most important thing is uniformity, so the layers stack evenly.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been tempted to try your hand at this Eastern European classic, there’s no better time than now to make a Chocolate Spartak Cake. Each step is its own little adventure, and the reward is a dessert that’s as beautiful and delicious as anything from a bakery—except this one has your personal touch. Gather your ingredients and bake some sweet memories!

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