Cake guide
Medovik vs Napoleon: what's the difference?
By Saule Soltanova, Co-founder & Head Baker
Published · Updated
Both are tall layered cream cakes from the same Eastern European and Central Asian tradition. The difference is the layers: Medovik, or honey cake, is built on thin honey-baked sponge, while Napoleon is built on flaky pastry.
Side by side
The two cakes as we bake them in Sugar Land:
| Honey Cake (Medovik) | Napoleon | |
|---|---|---|
| Layers | Thin sponge made with real honey | Homemade flaky pastry |
| Cream | Soft custard cream | Fragrant custard cream |
| Texture | Soft and tender | Flaky, softened by the cream |
| Weight | 2.4 lb (1.1 kg) | 2.4 lb (1.1 kg) |
| Serves | Serves about 9–11 | Serves about 9–11 |
| Price | $39 | $39 |
| Contains | milk, eggs, wheat | milk, eggs, wheat |
How do they taste?
Honey cake tastes of honey first, then soft sponge and cream. Napoleon is more buttery, with layers of pastry and vanilla custard. As each cake rests, the cream soaks into the layers, so both end up soft enough to cut with a fork. If you like gentle, fragrant cakes, start with honey cake; if you like pastry and custard, start with Napoleon.
Which one should I choose?
Size and price are the same, so choose on taste alone. For a mixed group, many of our regulars simply take both. Each cake has its own guide if you want the full story: what is honey cake (Medovik) and what is Napoleon cake.
Where to buy Medovik and Napoleon near Houston
We bake both at our shop at 350 Promenade Way, Suite 500, Sugar Land, TX 77478 and sell them for pickup only. Order the Honey Cake or the Napoleon online. Choose a pickup date to check current availability. We’re open 11 AM – 7 PM CT, Tuesday–Sunday (closed Mondays).
Quick answers
- Is Medovik the same as honey cake?
- Yes. Medovik is the Russian name for honey cake. On our menu it is called Honey Cake.
- Is Napoleon the same as a mille-feuille?
- They are related. A mille-feuille is usually a crisp single slice; a Napoleon is a whole cake that is meant to soften. See our Napoleon guide.
- Are both cakes halal?
- Yes, all our cakes are halal, and there's no alcohol in any of them — we don't use alcohol at all.
- Can I get writing on either cake?
- Yes, on both, for free. Writing is never same-day — see writing on a cake.