Cake Charlotka with apples

Charlotka is a traditional Russian apple cake known for its simplicity and delicious flavor. It’s a light, airy cake with a soft apple filling, and it’s perfect for any time of the year. Here’s a classic recipe for making Charlotka with apples:

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Apples:

• 4 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan, or line it with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the Apples:

   • Peel, core, and slice the apples thinly.
   • In a bowl, toss the apple slices with sugar, cinnamon (if using), and lemon juice (if using). Set aside.

3. Make the Cake Batter:

   • In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until thick and pale, about 3-4 minutes.
   • Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
   • Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

4. Assemble the Cake:

   • Pour half of the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly.
   • Arrange half of the apple slices over the batter.
   • Pour the remaining batter over the apples, smoothing it out.
   • Top with the remaining apple slices.

5. Bake the Cake:

   • Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
   • Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Serve:

   • Once cooled, you can dust the cake with powdered sugar if desired.
   • Serve as is or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Charlotka is a wonderfully simple cake that highlights the flavor of apples, and it’s a great way to enjoy a cozy dessert. Enjoy your homemade apple Charlotka!