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Home Β» Recipes Β» Dessert Β» Cake

February 7, 2022

Apple Cake Sharlotka

Published February 7, 2022 | Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

Jump to Recipe

This simple Apple Cake Sharlotka will amaze you and your guests! Feather light sponge topped with golden apples, this cake only has FIVE ingredients but tastes divine! 

If you love this recipe, you’ll want to explore our collection of Russian baking recipes!

Apple Cake Sharlotka slice on white plate

I was on the hunt for a simple cake to serve to guests along with a pot tea. With time short, it couldn’t be something fancy or complicated. So my mind turned to the cake that is the most common in Russian households.

Apple Cake Sharlotka is an apple sponge cake that has only five ingredients. Not bad considering the height of the sponge and a delicate taste that will blow you away!

Because the cake comes together with so little effort, it is one that can be whipped up quickly when guests are on their way. It’s also not a fussy cake to make, which means it’s a great entry level recipe for those new to baking. 

What is in Apple Sharlotka?

I learned to make this cake when I was 10 and have been making it ever since. The beauty of it is in its simplicity and down to earth ingredients that are staples in everybody’s kitchen.

  • Eggs
  • Sugar
  • Flour
  • Apples
side shot Apple Cake Sharlotka with piece cut out

No, I am not forgetting anything. That’s it. And the proportions are also so easy to remember.

4 apples, 4 eggs, 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar. Pure brilliance! You can of course add vanilla as I did or a lemon zest but the basic recipe is that simple.

If you are not a fan of apples, take a look at another version of this cake made with tangy rhubarb. 

top down of several pieces of plates

Recipe Tips and Notes

  • Key to a good Russian sponge is well whipped eggs and sugar and an even oven temperature. If you are not sure of the accuracy of your oven temperature purchase an oven thermometer to be on the safe side.
  • Put room temperature eggs and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and whip at high speed for 10 minutes until tripled in size. If you use vanilla or lemon zest add your flavouring at this stage.
  • Carefully fold in flour in three additions. Use a spatula and try not to deflate that volume you created previously! If you do, the sponge will not rise and you will end up with a flat pancake. 
  • I use this basic sponge recipe in so many cakes like this Frostbitten Raspberry Cake and White Christmas Truffle Cake. The latter one comes with a detailed video, which might be helpful if you are unsure about the technique.
process shot of ingredients in baking dish

How to serve the cake

Cool the cake completely before you take it out of the pan. The sponge is incredibly delicate and will get crushed easily if it’s still warm. To this day, I can still hear my grandma’s words, “Air, pure air!” as she reaches for another slice. 

In Russia, this cake is usually served with tea with lemon and honey. Because it’s an everyday cake it’s usually eaten plain with a light dusting of powdered sugar.

It is also incredibly delicious with a light drizzle of a caramel sauce.

Apple Cake Slice on plate

More apple baking recipes:

  • Dulce de Leche Apple Pie
  • Easy Apple Fritters
  • Apple Slice Cake with Salted Caramel Drizzle
  • Apple Turnovers
side shot Apple Cake Sharlotka with piece cut out

Apple Cake “Sharlotka”

Julia Frey of Vikalinka
Delicate sponge cake filled with apples. Perfect quick and simple dessert. 
5 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Russian
Servings 8 -10
Calories 235 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 apples
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup /200g sugar
  • 1 cup /120g flour
  • 2 tsp vanilla

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350F/180C
  • Peel, core and slice your apples. Arrange them on the bottom of a buttered and floured 9″ spring form pan.
  • Whip eggs, sugar and vanilla until tripled in size for 10 minutes. Add sifted flour to the egg mixture in 4 additions, blending each addition gently. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Let cool for 20-30 minutes and then remove the sides of a springform pan

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 5gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 33mgPotassium: 145mgFiber: 3gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 168IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Apple Cake Sharlotka
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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632 shares
  • 3

About Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.
read more..

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Abela says

    at

    I don’t have a springform pan. Is it possible to make the apple sharlotka with some other kind of regular pan? Thank you.
    .

    Reply
    • Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says

      at

      You can definitely make it in a regular pan, Abela. Just make sure it’s well greased for an easy release.

      Reply
  2. Vittoria Doughty says

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    5 stars
    Hi Julia, I so love all your recipies. I tried the Apple Sharlotka. It is truely fabulous. I plan to make it for Johns retirement. Its easy and so light. Tastes amazing. Surely can’t have any calories. Thank You for shraring these lovely recipies. Vittoria

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      Thanks so much, Vittoria. I am so happy to hear that. Yes, my grandma used to say about that cake! Hahaha

      Reply
  3. Jan says

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    Having visited Russia recently I am thrilled to find your blog. Your recipes are wonderful. Happy blogaversary!

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

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      Thanks so much, Jan and welcome!

      Reply
  4. Alina says

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    5 stars
    It’s so fast and super easy to make! And it so delicious! I love this!
    And it’s great how little ingredients are needed!

    Thank you for sharing <3

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

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      You are so welcome, Alina! I am thrilled you loved this recipe as much as we do!

      Reply
  5. Erika says

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    Looks like my Oma’s cake. Happy memories.
    Think I will make this with my granddaughter. Tradition lives on. Thank you for the inspiration 😊

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

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      So happy to hear it, Erika!

      Reply
  6. DianaC says

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    Your sharlotka looks fabulous! I like it how the apples on the bottom of the baked cake are still golden yellow color. Just one question, please. I see that you do not use baking soda and vinegar traditionally used in this cake. I always make mine with baking soda and vinegar. Do you think that omitting those ingredients will improve the outcome? Thank you in advance.

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      Thanks Diana. πŸ™‚ I’ve never heard of adding soda and vinegar to Sharlotka. This sponge is traditional to my part of Russia but I am sure there are many other variations. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. melissa says

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    5 stars
    I made this cake last night! SO easy and it requires hardly anything at all. It was delicious, I know I will keep the recipe and use it again. My kids absolutely loved it. Thanks Vikalinka for sharing the recipe.

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

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      I am so happy to hear that Melissa!!

      Reply
  8. Karen says

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    5 stars
    Made this for our Thanksgiving get-together with my family yesterday. It turned out amazing (I even used a gluten free flour blend)! Everyone loved it! I’ll be making this again, for sure.

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      So happy you enjoyed it Karen! I had no idea it would turn out with gluten-free blend, good to know!! Happy Thanksgiving! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  9. Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says

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    Julia, congratulations on blogoversary! Thank you for all the appetizing recipes you’re sharing with us! πŸ™‚ Sharlotka is one of my most favorite cakes ever – I used to bake it all the time before I learned how to make other cakes. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      Thank you Julia. πŸ™‚ I know what you mean, it’s such an easy and simple cake, almost no baking skills required!

      Reply
  10. Dina says

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    5 stars
    it looks yummy!

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

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      Thank you Dina πŸ™‚

      Reply
  11. Natasha of Natashaskitchen.com says

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    5 stars
    Happy Blogoversary awesome you!! This cake looks amazing! Sounds so good with hot tea πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

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      Thank you, Natasha. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  12. Mom's Dish says

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    5 stars
    My friend makes cake sharlotka like this, I like how it taste. I want to try your recipe. Maybe when we are visiting in-laws πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • vikalinka says

      at

      I just love how simple and tasty it is! Even my kids approved it and they usually hate cooked fruit. πŸ™‚

      Reply

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Julia from Vikalinka

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.

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