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!

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
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.
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.
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.
More apple baking recipes:
- Dulce de Leche Apple Pie
- Easy Apple Fritters
- Apple Slice Cake with Salted Caramel Drizzle
- Apple Turnovers
Apple Cake “Sharlotka”
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
Abela says
I don’t have a springform pan. Is it possible to make the apple sharlotka with some other kind of regular pan? Thank you.
.
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
You can definitely make it in a regular pan, Abela. Just make sure it’s well greased for an easy release.
Vittoria Doughty says
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
vikalinka says
Thanks so much, Vittoria. I am so happy to hear that. Yes, my grandma used to say about that cake! Hahaha
Jan says
Having visited Russia recently I am thrilled to find your blog. Your recipes are wonderful. Happy blogaversary!
vikalinka says
Thanks so much, Jan and welcome!
Alina says
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
vikalinka says
You are so welcome, Alina! I am thrilled you loved this recipe as much as we do!
Erika says
Looks like my Oma’s cake. Happy memories.
Think I will make this with my granddaughter. Tradition lives on. Thank you for the inspiration π
vikalinka says
So happy to hear it, Erika!
DianaC says
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.
vikalinka says
Thanks Diana. π 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. π
melissa says
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.
vikalinka says
I am so happy to hear that Melissa!!
Karen says
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.
vikalinka says
So happy you enjoyed it Karen! I had no idea it would turn out with gluten-free blend, good to know!! Happy Thanksgiving! π
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
Julia, congratulations on blogoversary! Thank you for all the appetizing recipes you’re sharing with us! π 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. π
vikalinka says
Thank you Julia. π I know what you mean, it’s such an easy and simple cake, almost no baking skills required!
Dina says
it looks yummy!
vikalinka says
Thank you Dina π
Natasha of Natashaskitchen.com says
Happy Blogoversary awesome you!! This cake looks amazing! Sounds so good with hot tea π
vikalinka says
Thank you, Natasha. π
Mom's Dish says
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 π
vikalinka says
I just love how simple and tasty it is! Even my kids approved it and they usually hate cooked fruit. π