Russian Monday Sharlotka Apple Cake Food

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.

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.

RUSSIAN APPLE CAKE (SHARLOTKA)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 175c and grease a 9x13 baking pan/dish (ceramic) with butter or margarine. Set aside.
• Peel, core and chop the apples. Place in a bowl and stir through brown sugar. Set aside.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar on high for about 2 to 3 minutes, until light yellow, thickened and about tripled in size.
• Lower the speed to low and beat in the vanilla and flour.
• In a small bowl, quickly mix the baking soda and vinegar and add it to the batter. Mix batter gently.
• Arrange the chopped apples on the baking pan. Then pour batter over the apples.
• Bake for about 30-35 minutes then cover with foil and bake for another 15-20 mins or until a knife comes out clean.
• Serve warm with some double cream or wait to cool and dust with icing sugar!

SHARLOTKA (RUSSIAN APPLE PIE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Combine flour, sugar, and eggs, beat well .
• Core the apples and cut them into thin slices.
• Grease a pan and dust it lightly with flour.
• Arrange all apple slices on the bottom of the pan.
• Pour the batter mixture over the apples.
• Bake for 25 - 30 minutes.
• Cool.
• May be served warm or at room temperature.