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This Ukrainian waffle cake is a cinch! It’s so easy, I bet you could make it simply by viewing the pictures. This is also the favorite dessert of every child in my family.
Waffle Cakes are made with cooked, sweetened condensed milk (i.e. dulce de leche) that is spread onto pre-made wafer sheets and sliced into bite-sized squares or diamonds. These are a hit at all of our holiday parties, weddings, or any gathering really.
Where to Buy Wafer Cakes?
Until recently, I have only been able to find them at Russian or European stores, but now they are available online.
I’ve also seen these wafers sold in a California Walmart (near Rancho Cordova). I guess the Russian/Ukrainian population is so large that Walmart even has a Russian section. Lucky!! Once you buy the wafers, this will be the easiest cake you’ve ever made. And it’s quite fabulous!
Ingredients for Waffle Cake
- 1 package plain wafers – round or square (9 layers, 9-inch diameter)
- 1 (14oz) can of cooked sweetened condensed milk a.k.a. dulce de leche
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp lemon juice
How to Cook Sweetened Condensed Milk
By cooking sweetened condensed milk, you are essentially making dulce de leche. You can use one of 3 methods:
- Buy Pre-cooked or pre-made dulce de leche
- Cook Dulce de Leche in a pot in a slow cooker
- Make the quick version: Instant-pot Dulce De Leche (this is my favorite because it’s speedy!)
Once the dulce de leche is cooked, let it cool to room temperature, then store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the cakes. You can make the dulce de leche ahead of time.
How to Make Ukrainian Waffle Cake
1. Combined cooked condensed milk, 1/2 stick softened butter and 1 tsp lemon juice in the electric stand mixer and whisk attachment. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes.
2. Spread cream on the wafers, making sure to reach the edges. Don’t be concerned with filling each square or you will have too much frosting on the cake. Just put enough to have the layers stick. You may make 2 skinny cakes or 1 tall one. They do stack nicely when they aren’t as tall.
3. Place cake under a heavy cutting board or make a press using a cutting board with a bowl of water on top. Let it sit under the press at least 2 hours. Then, slice it up (Ukrainian style) and make sure you grab a slice. They go quickly!!
Enjoy! Let me know if you have found a great source for these wafers?
Ukrainian Waffle Cake with Dulce de Leche
Ingredients
- 1 package plain wafers – round or square, 9 layers, 9-inch diameter
- 1 14 oz can cooked sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Combined cooked condensed milk, 1/2 stick softened butter and 1 tsp lemon juice. Beat them on high speed for 3 minutes.
- Spread cream on the wafers, making sure to reach the edges. Just put enough to have the layers stick. You may make 2 skinny cakes or 1 tall one. They do stack nicely when they aren’t as tall.
- Place cake under a heavy cutting board or make a press using a cutting board with a bowl of water on top. Let it sit under the press at least 2 hours. Then, slice it up and serve.
Hi Natasha! I am looking for a recipe to make the wafers myself by any chance do you have a recipe? All I remember is: flour, water, oil and a pinch of salt but I do not know the measurements.
Hi Larissa! No, I do not have a recipe for that. I’m sorry.
I buy the waffles at any Polish deli. Beside using dulce de leche I alternate the layers with povydlo and apricot paste. Chocolate icing covers the layers.
Hi Natasha! Will try the pink wafer recipe for friends girls baby shower. Any thoughts on other filling ? I will be traveling by car for several hours. Also need to make for a bout 30 people. Please advise. Thank you,
Hi Julia! I have not tested other fillings since it’s traditionally made like this. I’m sure other fillings could work, such as Nutella or hazelnut spread.
You may try researching some ideas online to see what other types of fillings others have used.
hello, on my waffle package, it says may contain peanuts or other nuts. My sun has tree nut and sesame seeds allergy and I was planning to make this for his class valentines day party. these waffles has nuts, none of the ingredients says nuts. As much as I dont wanna take any risks but I planned the whole thing and my husband did not read the ingredient 🙂 what do you think?
Hi Nagi! This recipe does not have nuts but I cannot advise about the waffle package because I do not know how it was processed in the facility it was made. I assume that the allergy notice on the package is because they also process other food items that contain nuts in their facility so cross-contamination is possible. I hope that helps.
Hi- do you have recipe for Zolotoy Kluchik?
I couldn’t find on your site- maybe you can make one?
Thanks
Thanks for your suggestion, Elena. I don’t have a recipe for that yet but I’ll make sure to share if I fine an awesome recipe!
Hello. I’m excited to try this recipe. I do have a question. I am using canned dulce de leche. Should I heat this product before mixing it with the other ingredients? Thank you in advance.
Hi Holly, you do not need to heat it! It should spread well when at room temperature.
Are these waffles gluten free?
Hi Oksana, I don’t believe they are.
How long can I keep this cake? Thanks
Hi Julie, we prefer it fresh after it rests, but if you’re not going to be eating it soon, wrap it in plastic wrap, then refrigerate it for up to a couple of days.
Very delicious. My only problem was when I went to cut the cake, my edges were not clean . Any tips on how to cut it nicely?
Hi Yana, I recommend a very sharp knife. Some prefer a sharp bread knife.
дуже тобі дякую, I remember these from my childhood. Found wafers at a Russian Deli here in Minneapolis. But did not have a recipe. Do you have a Nutella/Chopped hazelnut filling?
Hi Irene, I’m glad you found this recipe. You can use the Nutella jar for filling too.
This is one of my favorite desserts in Ukraine!
Glad to hear that! I hope you’ll love this recipe if you try it.