Cherry “Napoleon” for a special occasion
A classic mille-feuille cake with cherries added to the custard. This is one of those cases where a single change completely transforms the character of the dessert: the mild, milky sweetness gives way to a juicy tartness, and the cake becomes much fresher.
What Does It Taste Like?
The layers are thin and crispy, and the cream is a classic custard—delicate and not too sweet. The cherries add tartness and moisture, which keeps the cake from feeling dry even on the second day. The flavor is familiar and homey: it smells much like a cherry pie, only more delicate.
What occasions is it suitable for
This is a cake for the family table: birthdays, christenings, memorial services, holiday dinners, gatherings with parents, and Sunday dinners. It also works well for summer celebrations, when heavy creams aren’t the right choice and you’re craving something berry-flavored.
Weight and Servings
A whole cake weighs 1.6 kg and yields 8 of large slices, each weighing approximately 205 g. It’s enough for a group of six to eight people.
How to Order in Kharkiv
The price for a whole cake is 840 UAH, and a slice is 105 UAH. The cake is made fresh for your event, so please place your order at least two days in advance. Delivery is available throughout Kharkiv, or you can pick it up at any Edison coffee shop.
Cherries in Ukrainian Desserts
The “Napoleon” mille-feuille comes to us from French tradition, but the cherries in it are entirely our own. In Ukrainian cuisine, cherries hold the same place as apples do in English cuisine or plums in Hungarian cuisine: they’re the go-to berry when it comes to sweets.
A Berry Planted Near the House
A cherry orchard near the house wasn’t just a poetic image—it was the norm: cherries are undemanding, withstand the winter well, and bear fruit every year. They were dried, cooked, and preserved in sugar for the winter—and that is precisely why cherry desserts appeared in our tradition earlier than pastry cream and sponge cake.
Why Cherries Pair Well with Custard
Custard is milky, thick, and smooth, with no acidity whatsoever. Without contrast, it quickly becomes monotonous: the flavor is uniform, and the tongue stops distinguishing it by the second bite. Cherries provide exactly what’s missing—a sharp tartness and juice. The same principle applies to German cherry cake and French clafoutis: a tart berry is always added to the creamy base.