Russian Apple Cake Recipes

SHARLOTKA (RUSSIAN APPLE CAKE)

Steps:

• 1. Cover the bottom of a baking form with parchment paper. Melt the butter and generously brush the inside of the baking form. Alternately, you can also spray the form with a pan release baking spray. 2. Cut two apples into small dice. Place them into a bowl and sprinkle with the lemon juice and cinnamon. Mix to make sure all apples are evenly covered. Set aside. 3. In a bowl, mix the flour and baking powder. Set aside. 4. Preheat the oven to 350F. 5. In a large bowl, add the eggs and a pinch of salt. Beat the eggs with an electric mixer until the egg yolks and egg whites are combined. Add about 1/4 of sugar, increase the speed of the mixer and continue beating the eggs. Gradually add all the sugar. Beat the eggs for about 6 minutes or until the mixture has thickened and turned very pale. It should fall in ribbons from a spatula. 4. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract to the eggs and mix with the electric mixer just until combined. 5. In batches, sift the flour into the egg mixture and gently fold it in with a spatula. Mix just until the batter is smooth and no pockets with flour remain. Make sure to not over mix. 6. Pour 1/3 of the batter into the baking form and evenly spread it with a spatula. In an even layer, add half of the apples. Slightly press the apples into the batter. Add more batter to cover the apples. Spread the batter over apples if needed. Add the remaining apples and cover them with the rest of the batter. Slightly shaking the form will help getting rid of the air pockets.* 7. Slice the remaining apple first into quarters and then into very thin wedges and arrange on top of the cake.** 8. Place in the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. 9. Once the apple cake is done, take it out of the oven and let it cool on a rack before removing it from the baking form.

RUSSIAN APPLE CAKE

Steps:

• Combine farmer's cheese, melted butter, and milk in a bowl and stir until smooth.
• Mix 1 3/4 cups flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Add to the ricotta mixture. Mix until pastry dough comes together. Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
• Beat 1/2 cup sugar and eggs together in a bowl using an electric mixer until thickened. Add sour cream, 2 tablespoons flour, and vanilla extract; stir until filling is well combined.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9-inch springform cake pan.
• Press the chilled pastry into the bottom and sides of the cake pan. Add 1/2 the apples; top with 1/2 of the filling. Repeat layering, ending with the filling.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Remove and let cool in pan.

SHARLOTKA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an oversized, deep, glass pie dish and spread apples inside.
• Combine eggs and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the wire whisk attachment. Mix on the highest setting until eggs are foamy and change in color, 5 to 7 minutes. The goal is to achieve a consistency something close to meringue.
• Turn stand mixer off and switch the attachment to the standard mixing paddle. With the machine on its lowest setting, add flour, sour cream, salt, baking powder, and vanilla extract. Mix until just incorporated. Batter should be thick, fluffy, and airy. Do not overmix, as it will deflate the batter. Pour batter over apples in the pie dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the top turns golden brown and a knife comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cool just until it is safe to handle the pan; loosen edges and flip the cake onto a serving platter.