Napoleon Cake / Наполеон

Pastry layers with custard cream and dusted top with pastry crumbs.

In Russian literature, Napoleon cake was first mentioned as early as in the first half of the 19th century. The cake has enjoyed an especially great popularity since the centenary celebration of the Russian victory over Napoleon in the Patriotic War of 1812.  The many layers of the cake symbolized La Grande Armée. The top is covered by pastry crumbs symbolizing the snow of Russia which helped the Russians defeat Napoleon. Later, the cake became a standard dessert in the Soviet cuisine.

Nowadays, the Napoleon remains one of the most popular cakes in Russia and other post-Soviet countries.