Easy Apple Cake Recipe (2024)

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Easy Apple Cake Recipeone of the easiest cakes you’ll ever make and one of the best! It’s a traditional Russian apple cake, otherwise known as an apple sharlotka, made with just 4 simple baking staples and fresh apples.

It’s a tender sponge cake that is light and airy on the inside and golden on the outside and the oven does most of the work. If you can mix a simple cake batter you can make this cake!

WhenYOUmake Apple Cake Recipe please tag us on@munchkintimeblogon Instagram, we would LOVE to see your creation!

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I love making this during apple season when I’ve got a bunch of apples to use up. There are times when I just don’t want to bake a pie, so that’s when I turn to this quick and easy recipe.

It’s a humble cake that can be eaten as is or with a simple dusting of powdered sugar. It’s the perfect year-round recipe. In the fall and winter months, we enjoy the aroma of freshly baked apple cake and will have a slice for breakfast with tea or coffee.

In the summer we love it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert or as a snack cake in the afternoon any day of the week.

There is never a wrong time to whip up this incredible apple cake because it’s way too easy not to!

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Ingredients for Apple Cake Recipe

We use a ton of eggs in this apple sharlotka cake because it’s what gives the cake its very tall rise!

  • Green apples: Granny Smith apples are a great choice. They’re tart and not too sweet and can withstand the heat of the oven and still keep their shape. Peel, core, and slice the apples.
  • Organic eggs: I prefer organic free-run or free-range eggs, but that’s a personal preference. You can use whatever large eggs you have on hand.
  • Organic sugar: As with the eggs, I say organic because that’s what I prefer. Any granulated white sugar will do. It’s used to sweeten the cake. This cake relies on the whipped eggs to help it rise, the sugar helps to stabilize the eggs allowing them to do their job.
  • Vanilla extract: Adds amazing flavor to this cake.
  • All-purpose flour: As with any baking recipe, it’s important to measure the flour correctly! The texture of this cake is what shines.
  • Butter or oil: Needed to grease the pan
  • Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioner’s sugar, this is an optional way to garnish your cake just before serving. I love the rustic presentation of this cake with or without the sugar!

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How to Make this Russian Apple Cake Sharlotka Recipe

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the eggs and sugar together. You can also use an electric mixer for this, but keep in mind you’ll be beating the eggs on high for about 10 minutes. You want the batter to be light in color and doubled in size.Easy Apple Cake Recipe (4)

Step 2: Whisk in vanilla extract and flour. Do not overmix. You want to keep the light airy consistency of the whipped eggs.

Easy Apple Cake Recipe (5)Easy Apple Cake Recipe (6)Step 3: Arrange the apple slices in an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Then, pour in ⅓ of the batter to cover the apples, followed by another layer of apple slices. Repeat again until you have a total of 3 layers of apples.

Easy Apple Cake Recipe (7)Step 4: Bake for 60-90 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the apple cake. Allow it to cool in the pan before removing it to serve. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Enjoy!

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Recipe Tips

  • Be sure to grease the baking pan and line it with parchment paper on the bottom. The only source of moisture and fat is from the eggs and it’s not enough to ensure the cake won’t stick to the pan.

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  • To make sure your parchment paper fits the pan, trace the bottom of the pan onto the parchment paper. Then cut it out so that it can rest directly on the bottom.
  • A springform pan is great for making this apple cake recipe. Since this cake rises up tall, it’s got high walls to contain it.
  • Bring your eggs to room temperature ahead of time. Cold eggs take even longer to whip!

FAQs

What are the best apples to use for sharlotka cake?

I love Granny Smith apples, but that’s just me! You can use any variety of apples you like, whether they’re red or green, tart or sweet. Some great options are Gala apples, Ambrosia, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or golden delicious.

You can use one type or a few different types, it’s up to you.

Can I make this apple cake recipe ahead of time?

This is definitely a cake you want to enjoy immediately. I’d say you should make it no more than 4 hours ahead of time and then enjoy as much of it as you can because it won’t keep for long!

How to store leftovers?

If you happen to have any left, wrap it in plastic wrap and keep it on the counter. It’ll stay fresh until the next morning for breakfast.

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Russian Apple Sharlotka Cake - Super Easy Apple Cake Recipe

Love Keil

Super Easy Apple Cake Recipe also known as a Russian Apple Cake Sharlotka. It is fluffy, light and perfect for using up all of those yummy apples in the fall.

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course Fall Dessert, Sweets, Treat

Cuisine American, Russian

Servings 8 slices

Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • First, grease 9 inch. baking pan with butter and line it with parchment papper. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350F.

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  • Now, lets make apple cake batter, in a mixing bowl combine 8 eggs an 2 cups of sugar. Using hand or stand mixer, whisk on high for about 10 minutes or until double in size and the batter is light color.

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  • Whisk in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2 cups of flour.

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  • In a baking pan, lay out apple slices to cover the bottom of the pan. Then, pour in ⅓ of the batter to cover the apples. Lay out another layer of apple slices following by batter, repeat one more time. Total of 3 apple layers.

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  • Bake for 1 - 1 ½ hour or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the Sharlotka cake. Let it cook in the cooking pan, then carefully remove it from the cooking pan and dust it with powdered sugar. Cut a slice and enjoy with a cup of hot tea.

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Notes

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Nutrition

Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 82gProtein: 9gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 164mgSodium: 64mgPotassium: 157mgFiber: 2gSugar: 56gVitamin A: 268IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg

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Quote of the Day

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Happy Baking!

Easy Apple Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the best apples for baking a cake? ›

According to New England Today, the best apples for baking are firm-tart apples, and firm-sweet apples. Firm-tart apples are apples like Granny Smith, Esopus Spitzenburg, Northern Spy, Ida Red, and Pink Pearl. Firm-sweet apples are Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Jazz, Jonagold, and Pink Lady.

What is the secret to baking a moist cake? ›

Use Your Ingredients Wisely
  1. Choose Fresh Leavening. ...
  2. Opt For Full-Fat Dairy. ...
  3. Reach For The Right Flour. ...
  4. Don't Double Down. ...
  5. Use Eggs And Butter At Room Temperature. ...
  6. Measure Accurately. ...
  7. Avoid Over Baking.
Apr 5, 2024

What is a secret ingredient for cakes? ›

To summarize, applesauce is a secret weapon for creating moist and healthier cakes. Its natural sweetness and moisture make it a great substitute for high-fat ingredients like oil or butter. So go ahead, embrace the power of applesauce and elevate your cakes to new levels of deliciousness!

Can you use eating apples instead of cooking apples in a cake? ›

You can use any eating apples that are in season, or any that you have to hand, but my favourites are Cox's Orange Pippins and Braeburn apples for flavour.

How many apples for 3 cups? ›

1 pound of apples will make about 3 cups sliced or cubed. 4 tennis ball-sized apples weigh about a pound.

What does adding applesauce to cake do? ›

Applesauce acts much like the fat. It keeps the flour protein from mixing completely with the wet ingredients and forming a rubbery, dense texture. This is what does applesauce do in baking.

What makes a cake more moist, oil or butter? ›

Why does oil give cake superior texture? Butter is 18% water, so when the batter is baked, some of its liquid evaporates. Replacing the water from the butter with oil means there's more fat left in the cakes to ensure tenderness.

Why do you put water in the oven when baking a cake? ›

It provides moisture.

The steam from the water bath creates a moist environment inside the oven. This is important for delicate bakes like cheesecakes, souffles, terrines, and chiffon cakes. Without added moisture, the surface tends to dry out while the inside is still expanding, which leads to unsightly cracks.

Can I use both butter and oil in cake? ›

If you were to use exclusively oil, the cake would turn out much denser than you may have intended. If you're unsure, it's safest to use a 50/50 combination of butter and oil instead of replacing the butter completely.

What makes a box cake fluffier? ›

Use butter instead of oil

More often than not, box cake recipes will ask that you add canola or vegetable oil. That's because they're affordable pantry staples, but they're mostly flavorless. Why not use butter instead? It makes the cake moist, fluffy and oh-so rich.

Why are bakery cakes so fluffy? ›

Since we're talking about cake and not yeast bread, we'll focus on chemical leavening. The reaction of baking soda or baking powder with the liquids in the batter releases carbon dioxide, which forms air bubbles to help your cakes be light and airy.

Which 2 ingredients help the cake to rise? ›

A leavening agent is baking soda, yeast or baking powder. It's that magical ingredient that makes your cakes rise.

What is the most important ingredient in a cake? ›

Flour is perhaps the most important ingredient in a cake mix, as it creates the basic structure of the entire cake. A major component of flour is gluten, which is a protein that provides a way for the cake to bind to itself.

What is the main ingredient that makes a cake moist? ›

One common ingredient swap that is known to help make cakes remarkably moist is using milk instead of water. Try switching out any water in your recipe for full-fat milk or buttermilk for a moist, decadent texture. Another ingredient that can enhance the moisture of your cake is mayonnaise.

Are Gala or Fuji apples better for baking? ›

Texture & Use in Recipes: In terms of texture, Fuji apples are also a lot crisper, and less dense than Gala apples. So, they result in a firm bite with juicy flesh while Galas are softer and creamier. Their texture also means that Fujis are better for baking as they hold their shape better than Galas when cooked!

Are Gala apples good for baking apple crisp? ›

Gala apples are my favorite variety for this recipe – I like their sweet/tart flavor and firm texture. But if you have a favorite baking apple, feel free to use it here. Granny smith apples, Honeycrisps, Jonagolds, or a mix would all be excellent.

Are Mac apples good for baking? ›

McIntosh. A classic bright red apple with green undertones, juicy, crisp McIntoshes tend to break down when cooked. They are delicious eaten out of hand or in sauce, and are best paired with Golden Delicious or other apples in pies and other baked goods.

Is Honeycrisp a good baking apple? ›

Honeycrisp. One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anything—including baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie.

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