Russian Apple Cake Sharlotka (Шарлотка)

Sharlotka, traditional Russian apple cake, is everybody’s favourite, and it is very easy to make!

Utensils

• Baking tin (ingredients are for 20 cm square tin);
• Baking paper;
• Hand blender (optional, but very handy);
• Apple corer and slicer (optional, but very handy);
• Peeling knife.

Ingredients

• 4 medium eggs;
• 110g white sugar;
• 80g brown sugar;
• 150g self-raising plain;
• 2 apples (3 apples if you are a fellow apple fanatic);
• 1 tsp soda + just enough cider or white wine vinegar to dissolve it (optional, to make the dough even fluffier).

• Optional: grated nutmeg or cardamom or coriander, nuts to top.

Directions

1. Mix the eggs, sugar, soda dissolved in vinegar and flour. Tip: best to mix it roughly with a spoon, then make it smooth using the blender;
2. Core, peel and thinly slice the apples. Tip: using apple corer and slicer makes it much faster;
3. Mix the apples into the dough;
4. Line the tin with a baking paper and pour the mix into it;
5. Bake at 170˚C 45min – 1h (until the toothpick comes out dry); cover with foil halfway through the baking if necessary.