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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Sharlotka Apple Cake

    Author: Peter Kolesnichenko · Published: Sep 9, 2022

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    Sharlotka is light, fluffy, moist and delicious. It's a basic apple sponge cake made with only 5 simple ingredients. An easy cake to whip up at the last minute when guests pop over unannounced for tea. Simple and unpretentious, a classic Russian dessert.

    apple cake with a slice on a plate
    peeling apples with peeler
    chopping apples on cutting board

    This is my wife Rita's Sharlotka recipe, and I'm so excited she's shared it with all of you! Apples and cinnamon are an amazing combination together, and this recipe gets that balance perfectly. The apples aren't coated in cinnamon and sugar like they are in a pie, but are delicately sprinkled on top of the cake just before serving. The flavors aren't overpowering, but are separate while complementing each other.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Easy apple cake - made with only 5 ingredients
    • No complicated ingredients - things you already have in your pantry
    • Rustic and simple - the perfect balance of cinnamon
    • Budget friendly - can even use soft apples

    Sharlotka Origins

    Sharlotka was created by a French chef Marie Antoine Careme. Made in honor of the wife of Tsar Alexander I of Russia. Initially called Charlotte a la Parisienne, and then became Charlotte Russe, before Sharlotka. There are many different versions of this recipe, some using lady fingers, others crushed cookies. This recipe is the simple baked apple cake version. In Poland, a similar recipe is known as Szarlotka, but is made differently.

    Babushka's Sharlotka

    I remember my grandmother baking Sharlotka cake. She always served it with cream and without cinnamon sugar topping. Recipes from the old country were never drenched in sugar like most modern recipes. A rustic and easy apple cake.

    Babushka also never flipped her cake upside down. She always poured the batter over the apples, baked it, and served it as it came out of the oven, right side up. Sharlotka's are commonly sprinkled with icing sugar which looks nicer when serving. However, adding cinnamon over the warm baked apples really elevates this cake recipe.

    pouring sugar into mixer
    adding flour to mixer

    What Apples Are Best for Apple Cake?

    Traditionally, tart apples are used for baking. However, I prefer the new sweeter varieties that have been cultivated. You can even mix a sweet and tart apple together for enhanced apple flavors. Here are some suggestions;

    • Antonovka Apples - a classic Russian apple, difficult to find outside Eastern Europe
    • Granny Smith Apples - a popular tart baking apple (too tart for me)
    • Bramley Apples - a tart-sour apple popular in the UK
    • Fuji Apples - Japanese developed apple that tastes like sweet apple juice
    • Golden Delicious Apples - sweet like honey, with a bit of spice
    • Pink Lady Apples - refreshing sweet-tart apple
    • Gala Apples - sugary sweet apple, great for eating
    • Honey Crisp Apples - balance between sweet and tart, with an amazing crunch

    Sharlotka Ingredients

    • 5 large apples
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 cup white sugar
    • 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • butter or non-stick spray - for greasing pan
    • cinnamon sugar or icing sugar - to sprinkle before serving

    Equipment You'll Need

    • Springform Pan
    • Parchment Paper (baking paper)
    • Electric Mixer
    greased springform pan
    dumping apples into pan

    How to make Sharlotka

    There's a delicate balance of getting the apple and batter ratio correct. Adding too many apples and the cake will fall apart. Too few apples, and it's just a glorified sponge cake. That being said, this is an apple cake, so we use 5 apples. It seems like a lot of apples, but they do shrink as they cook down, making just the right amount.

    1. Line a 9x3 round cake pan or springform pan with parchment paper. Butter or spray both the paper, and the sides of the pan
    2. Chop the apples into thin pieces and place inside the springform pan
    3. Beat eggs and sugar until dissolved, about 5 minutes
    4. Add vanilla and gently mix in flour until batter is thick and smooth
    5. Pour batter over apples, spreading evenly
    6. Bake in a 350°F/180°C oven for 40-50 minutes
    7. Allow to cool for 10 minutes
    8. Carefully flip cake upside down, remove pan and parchment paper
    9. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and serve with thickened cream or ice cream
    pouring sharlotka batter
    removing springform from cake

    How Long Does Sharlotka Last?

    It depends on how you store it. I use an airtight container and place it in the fridge for about 5 days without any problems. It also freezes well. Wrap the apple cake in plastic cling wrap first, then place it in a Ziploc bag into the freezer. I think it should be made and eaten on the same day when possible!

    removing springform base
    peeling parchment from cake

    Pro Tips

    • All Apples - even soft apples you left on the counter too long are great to use in this recipe
    • Be Patient - Don't rush the cooking time, or the centre of the cake will remain raw
    • Add Fruit - Mix it up or substitute apples with add pears or plums
    • Baking Powder - It's not a mistake, there is no baking powder in this recipe. Trust me, you don't need to add any!
    • Be Gentle - When adding the flour to the batter, don't use an electric mixer. Gently mix it in with a wooden spoon. If using a mixer, you can over beat the batter, resulting in a dense cake.
    • Serving - Instead of thickened cream or ice cream, try serving with a dollop of sour cream sweetened with sugar (old country style)
    sharlotka apple cake sliced on a plate

    Autumn Apple Recipes You'll Love

    • American Apple Pie with Cinnamon
    • Easy Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers
    • Easy Hot Apple Cider
    • Caramel Apples

    This Russian Apple Cake is a simple, quick and delicious cake to whip up at a moment's notice. My wife has been baking Sharlotka for 20 years and it's a tried and true family favorite. Simple food done well, is perfection. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

    Sharlotka Apple Cake

    This is the best Sharlotka Apple Cake recipe. It's light, fluffy, moist and delicious and made with only 5 ingredients. Not an apple pie, but an easy Apple cake sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
    4.76 from 62 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Russian, Slavic
    Keyword: apple cake, Russian Apple Cake, sharlotka
    Servings: 8 people

    Equipment

    • Springform Pan
    • Parchment Paper
    • Mixer

    Ingredients

    • 5 large apples
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 cup white sugar
    • 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • Butter or nonstick spray for greasing pan
    • cinnamon sugar to top your cake before serving optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Line a 9x3 round cake pan or springform pan with parchment paper. Butter or spray both the paper, and the sides of the pan.
    • Peel and core the apples. Chop in quarters, then slice into thin, bite size pieces.
    • Place the apples into the buttered cake pan.
    • Using a mixer, beat the eggs and sugar in a bowl until the sugar dissolves (around 5 minutes). Mix in the vanilla.
    • Gently add the flour and mix with a spoon until batter is thick and smooth.
    • Pour batter over the apples in the cake pan, spreading it evenly. Gently shake the pan to allow the batter to settle.
    • Bake in the oven for 40-50 minutes. Check cooking time at 40 minutes with a toothpick to see if cake is ready (Some ovens this is enough cooking time).
    • When cake is ready, allow to cool on a baking tray for 10 minutes.
    • Using a knife, run along sides of the cake pan. Carefully flip upside down. Peel off the parchment paper, revealing the apple base (now the top of your cake).
    • Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar to taste. Serve with thickened cream or vanilla ice cream.

    Video

    Tried this recipe?Mention @petersfoodadventures or tag #petersfoodadventures!

    © PetersFoodAdventures.com

    This is the best Russian Apple Cake recipe. It's light, fluffy, moist and delicious. Not an apple pie, but a cake sprinkled with cinnamon sugar - Rita's Apple Sharlotka Cake (Шарлотка)
    This is the best Russian Apple Cake recipe. It's light, fluffy, moist and delicious - Rita's Apple Sharlotka Cake (Шарлотка)
    Apple Sharlotka Cake (Шарлотка) batter poured over apples in a pan

    More Desserts

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    • Pryaniki - Honey Cookies
    • Sugared Cranberries
    • Pavlova Wreath

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rebecca

      April 25, 2020 at 9:02 pm

      5 stars
      No chance for seconds for anyone else. My daughter ate 3/4 of the pan herself! What a perfect cake!! I watched your video first to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.as it seemed too good to be true. Turned out perfect!!! I got the idea to add a few globs of butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar down on the parchment paper first, before dumping the apples and batter on top. . (Just like upside down pineapple cake). Turned out perfect! This is a fool proof cake and it will be my daughter’s task today to make the second one.

      Reply
      • Peter's Food Adventures

        April 25, 2020 at 9:05 pm

        Hi Rebecca, so glad you loved it! Thanks for sharing your tips!

        Reply
    2. Judy

      February 04, 2020 at 9:43 am

      Can I make this cake in 113 by 9 pan?

      Reply
      • Peter's Food Adventures

        February 04, 2020 at 8:29 pm

        Hi Judy, I’m assuming you are meaning a rectangular pan. You can, but you would need to check them timing of the baking. In a larger pan that is shallower, cooking time might be quicker. Just use a toothpick to verify cake is done. 😊

        Reply
    3. Kathie Simmons

      June 01, 2019 at 10:24 am

      Made this tonight. I sprinkled a little cinnamon and pecan pieces on the apples before I poured the batter over them.. It came out beautifully. My husband and I loved it. Thank you for the recipe, it's a keeper.

      Reply
      • Peter's Food Adventures

        June 01, 2019 at 10:25 am

        Yum! Love pecans! Thanks for the great feedback!!

        Reply
    4. Franny

      May 28, 2019 at 2:17 am

      Still in the oven after 60 min. Followed the recipe as stated. Not sure why it’s taking extra baking time
      Plus I had one apple left over. Maybe you should state 5 medium sizes apples or small
      Sorry to seem so negative, but I’m serving this new recipe to our dinner guests
      Ok,... let’s see what happens. I hope. I hope 🤔

      Reply
      • Peter's Food Adventures

        May 28, 2019 at 5:28 am

        Oh Franny! I’m not sure to the reason why, but thanks for the feedback. I hope your dinner goes great, including the dessert!!!

        Reply
    5. Aya

      May 22, 2019 at 5:44 pm

      5 stars
      Hi peter i wanna tell u. That today i rebake ur recipe.. it's smells so nice and i bet the taste is good (i'm still waiting the time to break my fasting :))..first i got a little doubt since there is no butter either any oil in the recipe but i was keep on going to work it out and baked it.. and the result, voila... the cake seems perfect like in ur pic.. so glad to tell this to u :))

      Reply
      • Peter's Food Adventures

        May 22, 2019 at 9:14 pm

        Thanks so much for the great feedback! Greatly appreciated! So happy you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    6. Jan w

      May 22, 2019 at 4:46 pm

      5 stars
      It’s a really easy cake to make and it’s so yum have made 2 times so it will be a favourite so quick to make and very yum

      Reply
      • Peter's Food Adventures

        May 22, 2019 at 9:15 pm

        Thanks so much Jan for your comments! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Jan

      May 21, 2019 at 7:14 pm

      5 stars
      So easy to make and very yum will make it again

      Reply
    8. Aya

      May 20, 2019 at 8:34 pm

      5 stars
      Very easy n super yummy ... wanna try soon thx

      Reply
    9. Lisa

      April 11, 2019 at 4:41 pm

      Hi, can this be frozen?

      Reply
      • Peter's Food Adventures

        April 11, 2019 at 6:57 pm

        Hi Lisa. Sorry I don’t honestly know, because it’s never lasted that long in the house! I don’t see why it couldn’t be frozen! If you try it, please let me know!

        Reply
    10. Margret Payne

      March 29, 2019 at 2:08 am

      I actually had to read the recipe a few times to make sure I was reading correctly and there is no baking powder nor baking soda in it. Went back on line to make sure I actually had the whole recipe. Have a batch in the oven right now so just waiting to see the results. It is already smelling pretty good.

      Reply
      • Peter's Food Adventures

        March 29, 2019 at 7:53 am

        Hope you love it as much as we do! 😊

        Reply
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    Peter's Food Adventures - where you'll find Russian recipes, Slavic and International favorites with some fun travel and cooking videos. A Russian Food Blogger.

    Hi, I'm Peter!

    Are you looking for a little inspiration in the kitchen? Let me show you how to create tasty meals for your family!

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