Russian Oven: Sharlotka apple pie

A decent apple pie can rescue even the most moribund evening. Everyone likes it, and Russians are no exception. But world opinion is split on the best way to bake it.

Russians have developed a taste for Sharlotka, an easy and unpretentious version of Charlotte Russe, invented and served at the court of Tsar Alexander I by the famous French chef Marie-Antoine Carême.

That early 19th century sophisticated cold dessert with whipped and Bavarian cream has little in common with today's Sharlotka, a much more commonplace version that became popular in Soviet times.

Sharlotka is a simple apple sponge cake. Affordable for everyone, it is still popular today. It won't take more than an hour to treat yourself to a pleasant sweet course.

Let's get cooking!

You will need:

• 4 eggs
• 4 apples
• 250g (1.4 cup) sugar
• 250g (2 cups) flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons Spices (powdered cloves, grated orange zest, nutmeg, cinnamon)

1. Whip eggs with sugar
2. Put flour and baking powder into the egg-and-sugar blend, mix the dough
3. Peel the apples, slice them thin, mix the slices with spices
4. Spread crumbed apple slices on the bottom of the baking pan
5. Pour the dough on top
6. Bake at 180C (356F) for 30-40 minutes

Enjoy!

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