Liver cake (Ukrainian: печінковий торт; Russian: торт печеночный) is a savoury layer cake found in the cuisines of Ukraine, Russia, and Hungary.[3][1] Chicken liver is often used so that the cake will taste light and tender, although beef or pork liver are also viable options.[4][3][2][1] The liver is mixed in the batter of the cake, rather than served as the filling of the cake.[4][5][a] Cream cheese or mayonnaise is spread between the layers of liver.[3][1] Toppings may include carrots, grated eggs, herbs, or onions.[3][1]
The cake can be served during various family celebrations, including birthdays or holidays such as Maslenitsa, an Eastern Slavic holiday around the end of winter.[3][2]
Notes
^There are cakes other than liver cake in which liver is used but not mixed in the batter; one unusual version of medovik, a layered honey cake, uses chicken liver pâté between the layers of cake.[6]