Some desserts don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques to be unforgettable — and Koh Kolač (Hot Milk Cake) is the perfect example. This soft sponge cake is baked until golden and then gently soaked with warm sweet milk, creating a light, creamy texture that almost melts in your mouth.
Koh Kolač is a classic dessert loved across Serbia and the Balkans. It’s the kind of sweet many of us remember from childhood — simple, comforting, and often served with a cup of coffee during quiet family afternoons. The magic of this cake lies in its simplicity: just a few pantry ingredients come together to create something truly special.
Whether you’re discovering Koh Kolač for the first time or bringing back a nostalgic favorite, this recipe will guide you through making a soft, perfectly soaked cake that tastes just like the ones made in Balkan kitchens for generations.
About Koh Kolač / Hot milk cake
Koh Kolač is a soft, comforting Balkan dessert made from a light sponge cake soaked in warm sweet milk. The recipe became popular in Serbia and across the Balkans during the Austro-Hungarian period, when Central European milk desserts and sponge cakes influenced local baking traditions. Over time, it became a beloved homemade treat thanks to its simple ingredients and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Today, Koh Kolač remains a nostalgic classic, often enjoyed with a cup of coffee and shared with family and friends.
Today, Koh Kolač remains a cherished recipe across Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, and North Macedonia, continuing to bring a taste of tradition to modern kitchens.
The Serbian version
Koh Kolač / Hot Milk Cake has a really soft and moist texture. It is usually a dessert for children. Although it makes a great afternoon tea or coffee treat for adults as well.
In the region of Serbia and other neighboring countries, Koh Kolac / Hot Milk Cake is prepared with semolina. Using semolina gives an extra lightness to the sponge. The milk still absorbs well into the sponge just as it would with a regular flour cake sponge. We do use some flour to ensure the cake holds well. However semolina really steals the show here because it makes the cake soft and not overly chewy. This cake is so light that it is often served cold and enjoyed on hot summer days.
The ingredients
Hot milk cake doesn’t require any fancy ingredients. All you need is eggs, sugar, semolina, some flour and milk. Because you already have most of the ingredients in your pantry, this hot milk cake is the perfect last minute dessert to satisfy those sweet cravings!
The cake is made by beating eggs until thick and foamy, mixing in the dry ingredients and then finishing with warmed milk. It is a good cake base that you can fully enjoy all on its own or with all kinds of decorations, garnishing and flavors!
As with most recipes involving eggs, be sure that your eggs are at room temperature. This means the eggs will whip up nicely and provide that great airiness to the sponge of the cake. Also, for the best flavor it is bets to use whole milk.
How to serve Koh Kolac / Hot Milk Cake
Koh Kolač is best served slightly chilled or at room temperature, once the cake has had enough time to fully absorb the sweet milk. This allows the sponge to become soft, moist, and beautifully creamy.
Slice the cake into squares and serve it as a light dessert or an afternoon treat alongside a cup of coffee, tea, or espresso. In many Balkan homes, Koh Kolač is enjoyed after a family meal or during a relaxed coffee break.
For a little extra indulgence, you can sprinkle the top with cinnamon, cocoa powder, or grated chocolate before serving. Some people also like to add a spoonful of whipped cream or fresh berries for a modern twist.
No matter how you serve it, Koh Kolač is a simple dessert that brings comfort and nostalgia with every bite.
Looking for more?
If you are looking for more ideas, try one of the recipes below:
Strawberry Chocolate Roll with Chocolate Ganache
If you’re a fan of shortbread or pound cake, you may also enjoy this classic Koh Kolač / Hot Milk Cake. It is a great soft, fluffy and light cake to prepare at any time! It does not take long to put together and you can always add a personal touch with the type of toppings you desire. Please let me know how this recipe turns out for you! Leave a comment below and reach out or share a picture on Instagram.
Koh Kolač / Hot Milk Cake
Ingredients
Directions
MAKING THE CAKE
Preheat the oven to 180°C & line a baking dish with baking paper. TIP: First grease your pan with butter and then place the baking paper on top. This will help the corners of the baking paper stick to the baking dish better.
Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks.
In a large bowl, beat the egg whites on high speed while gradually adding the caster sugar & vanilla sugar. Beat until the egg whites double in size and form soft peaks. Add in the remaining egg yolks and combine.
Turn the mixer speed on medium and add in the vanilla essence, semolina and flour. Mix until combined.BAKING THE CAKE
Transfer the mixture into a baking dish that has been lined with baking paper. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes on 180°C or until golden brown.
In the meantime, bring milk to a boil and set aside.
Once the sponge is done, take it out of the oven and immediately pour the hot milk over it.REFRIGERATE OVERNIGHT
Leave it to absorb the milk and to cool, then transfer to a fridge overnight.
Serve Koh Kolač / Hot Milk Cake with powdered sugar or just as is.
Leave a little note
Made this recipe, or have a question? I’d love to hear from you.
Be the first to leave a comment.