dessert

Rustic Apple Sharlotka

Name: Rustic Apple Sharlotka
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6–8 slices
Cuisine: dessert
Ingredients: 3 eggs; 1 cup (200 g) sugar; 50 g unsalted butter, melted; 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour; 1 tsp vanilla sugar; 3 medium crisp apples, peeled and cubed; Fine breadcrumbs for lining the pan; Powdered sugar for dusting

↓ Jump to recipe

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

30 minutes

Total

50 min

Serves

6–8 slices

Soft, apple-heavy, and barely sweet, this Russian sponge cake is more about the fruit than the batter. The apples sink to the bottom and bake into the cake while the sponge sets on top, every slice is mostly apple.

Ingredients

3 eggs
1 cup (200 g) sugar
50 g unsalted butter, melted
1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla sugar
3 medium crisp apples, peeled and cubed
Fine breadcrumbs for lining the pan
Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1
Beat the eggs and sugar together until light. Mix in the melted butter, flour, and vanilla sugar until smooth.
2
Grease your baking pan with butter then coat the bottom and sides thoroughly with fine breadcrumbs.
3
Scatter the cubed apples across the bottom of the pan and pour the batter evenly over them.
4
Bake at 180 °C (350 °F) for 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
5
Cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar, and serve.

Cook's Note

Line the pan with breadcrumbs, not flour. The breadcrumbs soak up the juice the apples release and keep the bottom from going soggy, flour doesn't do that.

Best Served With

A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of sour cream. Good warm or at room temperature.

Why This Recipe Works

A thin, airy batter pours down between the apple pieces rather than sitting on top of them. As it bakes, it fills in around the fruit and sets, holding everything together into one slice. The breadcrumbs underneath absorb the apple juice so the base stays firm.

Make It Yours

Toss the apple cubes in a pinch of cinnamon and lemon juice before adding the batter.
Swap apples for fresh pears.
Add a handful of raisins or chopped walnuts to the apple layer.

Leftover Strategy

Keeps covered at room temperature for 2 days. Warm a slice for 30 seconds in the microwave if you want it soft again.

Want to impress guests with this dish? Ask Jeff →

Pairing

Black tea or warm apple cider. An off-dry Riesling for something more considered.