Russian Ant Hill Cake

Kids will delight in this fun Russian cake that's formed into the shape of an ant hill; you can include your kids in the preparations, too.

• Preparation Time: 40 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 656 Calories

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 4 ounces sour cream
• 1 (13.4 ounce) can dulce de leche
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds, for sprinkling
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 0.75 cup unsalted butter, melted

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.

Step 2

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Step 3

Make dough: Combine 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons melted butter and sugar in a large bowl; stir well. Whisk in sour cream until smooth. Sift in flour and baking powder over batter. Knead until a smooth, stiff dough forms.

Step 4

Using the meat grinder attachment of an electric stand mixer, pass handfuls of dough through the grinder. Spread ground dough bits evenly over the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5

Beat 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons softened butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add dulce de leche and beat until well combined. Add cooled cake pieces to caramel mixture and fold in with a spatula until well combined.

Step 6

Mound mixture onto a serving plate; using buttered hands, form into an ant hill. Sprinkle with poppy seeds.