A Celebratory Cake

I write this in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic that some here are likening to World War III. The difference is that now it’s not different alliances fighting against one other, but the whole world fighting against a virus. In a situation when even tomorrow seems unclear, it may be difficult to find reasons to celebrate. And yet there are.

This May, the world celebrates the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. And since we are all cooped up in our homes with nowhere to go, with lots of time on our hands, we share a festive Napoleon Cake that was often served in Soviet families for big holidays, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or New Year’s. And it is plenty complex to offer lots of stress baking relief.

I received the recipe from my mother and she received it from her mother-in-law, my grandmother, who had every reason to celebrate Victory Day in 1945.