Anthill Cake

15 servings

240 minutes

The 'Ant Hill' pastry is a true symbol of home comfort from Russian cuisine. Its name reflects its appearance: small mounds of crispy cookies joined by sweet cream resemble an anthill. The recipe originated in Soviet times when housewives sought simple and accessible ways to create delicious desserts. Thin pieces of shortcrust pastry soaked in boiled condensed milk create a rich caramel texture, while the addition of nuts and marmalade brings an unexpected play of flavors — softness, crunchiness, and fruity tartness. Topped with grated chocolate, it becomes the perfect ending to any tea party. 'Ant Hill' is not only a tasty treat but also an opportunity to showcase culinary creativity by making it in various shapes.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 693.5
• Proteins: 9.4g
• Fats: 43.6g
• Carbohydrates: 69.2g

Ingredients

• Margarine: 200 g
• Sugar: 0.5 glass
• Egg yolk: 3 pc
• Sour cream: 2 tbsp
• Slaked soda: 0.3 tsp
• Wheat flour: 3.5 glass
• Condensed milk: 2 jar
• Butter: 300 g
• Lemon: 1 pc
• Walnuts: 50 pc
• Fruit marmalade: 350 g
• Grated chocolate: 50 g

Cooking steps

1. Prepare the dough for cookies. Take softened margarine (the consistency of sour cream), beaten egg yolks with sugar, slaked soda, and flour, and mix to make a stiff dough.

   Required ingredients:

   • Margarine: 200 g
   • Sugar: 0.5 glass
   • Egg yolk: 3 pieces
   • Slaked soda: 0.3 teaspoon
   • Wheat flour: 3.5 glasss

2. Pass the dough through a meat grinder in parts, cutting flat 'cookies' that are immediately placed on the baking sheet.

3. Bake the cookies at 180 degrees until done (until golden brown). Cool at room temperature.

4. Prepare the cream. Boil the condensed milk. Take the butter out of the fridge. After the condensed milk cools and the butter reaches room temperature, mix them and whip the cream.

   Required ingredients:

   • Condensed milk: 2 jars
   • Butter: 300 g

5. Cut the jelly (easier if it was from the freezer) into small cubes (4 mm). Chop the nuts. Crumble the cookies (not too fine and not uniform, 0.5–1.5 cm). Mix the cookies, jelly, and nuts.

   Required ingredients:

   • Walnuts: 50 pieces
   • Fruit marmalade: 350 g

6. Combine the cream and the mixture. Mix well. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze juice from one half into the mixture. Mix again.

   Required ingredients:

   • Lemon: 1 piece

7. Grate chocolate (dark, bitter, milk - whichever you prefer) on a fine grater.

   Required ingredients:

   • Grated chocolate: 50 g

8. Spoon the mixture onto a large flat plate, forming small piles and sprinkling them with grated chocolate.

9. Put in the refrigerator.