The buttercream, on the other hand, represents the snow of the Russian winter and the airy puff pastry the disintegration of the French army. Traditionally, Russian pastries consist of twelve cake layers, which are supposed to symbolize the twelve battles against Napoleon. Originally, the shape was triangular and reminiscent of the hat of the French emperor. Legend has it that the cake was first baked in Moscow in 1912 on the 100th anniversary of the victory over Napoleon and named after him.
Napoleon cake is a centuries-old Russian specialty in honor of the victory over the French emperor.
