Christmas Butterless Medivnyk - Honey Cake with Baked on Topping -

[Olga Drozd]

Ukrainian Medivnyk Honey Cake - Medivnyk bez Masla:

The baked-on topping on this spongy medivnyk is lovely.

1 cup buckwheat honey, or other favourite honey
8 large egg yolks
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 large egg whites

TOPPING:

2 large egg whites
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cups chopped walnuts

Bring the honey to a boil and then cool. Beat the egg yolks until light. Add the sugar gradually to the egg yolks and continue beating until light and fluffy. Sift the flour with the baking soda and salt twice. Add the honey and mix all ingredients well. Beat the 6 egg whites until stiff and fold gently into the mixture.

Spoon into 2 ungreased but floured tube pans. Prepare the topping by beating 2 egg whites until stiff; add the brown sugar gradually and beat until thick. Spread over the batter and sprinkle with the nuts.

Bake in a moderate oven (325 degrees F.) for about 45 minutes, or until done when tested. Cool the cakes for a short while before removing from the pans.