Sharlotka – Ukrainian - style Apple Cake (VIDEO)

Discover the simple charm of Sharlotka – a traditional Ukrainian apple cake that has been loved for generations. Made with fresh apples, super fluffy sponge batter, and just a few pantry ingredients, this classic dessert is naturally light, airy, and full of natural apple flavor. Perfect with tea or coffee, Sharlotka is the ultimate comfort cake that brings a taste of home to your kitchen. Follow along for step-by-step instructions to bake this authentic Ukrainian favorite!

Is apple Sharlotka an Ukrainian recipe?

Although I often call this recipe Ukrainian because it was passed down in my family, in truth Sharlotka isn’t originally Ukrainian. This simple yet wonderful apple cake, made with just five staple ingredients, actually traces back to a French apple dessert called gâteau charlotte. Over time, the recipe was simplified and adapted throughout Eastern Europe. During the Soviet Union era, Sharlotka became one of the most iconic and beloved homemade desserts. Today, it’s still treasured in Ukrainian kitchens, where it’s baked with warmth and nostalgia for generations past.

But some information sources say this cake originated in Russia in the 19th century, where it was made with stale bread and apples. Later, a simplified sponge-cake style (with eggs, sugar, flour, apples) became the popular version that spread across the former Soviet Union.

So to call this recipe Ukrainian or not, it's up to you, I will, since I grew up with it.

Here is one more recipe that resembles a simplistic and inexpensive Soviet era cuisine No-Bake Waffle Cake

What to like about Sharlotka?

This old-fashioned from my family recipe of Sharlotka stands out because it uses fewer flour and more eggs than most recipes you’ll find online. The eggs alone give the cake its lift—no need for leavening agents like baking soda or baking powder. It’s naturally light, protein-rich, and simple, letting the apples shine as the star ingredient.

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There’s something magical about simple desserts that carry the warmth of home. Sharlotka, a beloved apple cake in Ukraine, is one of those recipes. With just a handful of ingredients and fresh apples, this airy sponge cake transforms into a fragrant treat that pairs perfectly with tea, coffee, or even a glass of warm milk.

This old-fashioned Sharlotka – a traditional Ukrainian apple cake made without baking soda or baking powder. Eggs create a naturally fluffy texture, making it a high-protein treat that’s not too sweet. Perfect as a dessert or a wholesome breakfast, this simple apple cake brings authentic Ukrainian flavor to your kitchen.

Apples – The Perfect Fruit of the Fall Season

🍎Celebrate autumn with crisp, juicy apples — the ultimate fruit of the fall season. Discover their health benefits and use them in seasonal recipes.

The most important health benefit of apples is Gut Microbiome Booster. Here is why:

🍏 Apple skin is rich in pectin, a prebiotic fiber that feeds good bacteria in the gut. This improves digestion and supports a stronger immune system.

Apples are so versatile for Fall baking, and we love to make good use of them in recipes like Ukrainian Baked Apples Recipe, classic Double crust Apple Pie, Stuffed Baked Apples, Ponchiki with apples and of course Apple Crisp Muffins (a favorite for my children). Cooked apples become tender and concentrated with their best sweet and tangy flavors.

What is Sharlotka?

Sharlotka is a light apple cake popular across Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Unlike heavier American apple cakes, Sharlotka is more of a fluffy sponge with layers of apples inside. The apples soften as they bake, creating a naturally sweet and juicy filling without the need for heavy creams or frostings. It’s the kind of cake our mothers and grandmothers could quickly prepare when apples were in season or when guests arrived unexpectedly.

What do you need to make Sharlotka – Apple Cake?

The ingredients for this simple apple cake, called Sharlotka, are so simple. You probably already have everything you need to make this apple cake.

• Apples – any kind, but the ones that are holding well are probably my first choice, but remember, this is a rustic recipe and any kind or combination of few would be fine. I used Lady Pink and McIntosh.

• Eggs – I use large eggs at room temperature.

• Butter - I always use grass-fed butter.

• Sugar – sweetens the cake and adds stability for beating eggs.

• Flour – I used all-purpose flour unbleached.

• Vanilla extract – adds more flavor and a pleasant aroma

• Powdered sugar – mixed with cinnamon in ratio 10:1, for garnishing the cake and after it completely cools down.

  
  

What you will need

• Springform pan – I used a 9″ pan with 3-inch tall walls.

• Parchment paper – cut into a circle to line the bottom of the pan.

• Electric Mixer – in this recipe it is important to whip the eggs into thick ribbons (the soft peak stage).

• Pastry brush - to grease the springform pan.

Let's do it

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

Author: Inna of innichkachef.com 

Ingredients for Sharlotka:

6 egg yolks (room temperature)

1/2 cup raw cane sugar for yolks

5 egg whites

1/3 cup raw cane sugar for whites

1 cup plus 2 heaping tablespoons all-purpose unbleached flour (sifted)

1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)

4 medium apples (plus 1-2 for garnish)

2 tablespoons melted butter (plus 1 tablespoon for greasing the Springform pan)

Decor: powdered sugar with cinnamon (ratio 10:1)

Directions for Sharlotka:

slices of apples

chopped apples

whipped egg whites

whipped egg whites and dusted flour

chopped apples folded into whipped eggs and flour mixture

pouring cake batter into baking pan

cake ready to be bake

decorated and ready to be baked cake

cake in the oven

baked cake looks like rose

cake looks like rose with dusted powdered sugar on top

slice of cake taking out of pan with just freshy baked cake

• Preheat the oven to 350F.

• Prepare Springform pan: Grease the walls of the pan with butter and lay down the Parchment paper on the bottom. Set aside.

• Prepare apples: Peel the 4 apples and cut them into half inch cubes. Set aside.

• Prepare eggs for the batter:  In an electric mixer with whisk attachment, whisk the egg yolk and 1/2 cup of sugar until egg yolks are pale and fall into the ribbons. Transfer into another bowl. Set aside. Repeat the same thing with egg whites (make sure the bowl and whisk is clean and dried).

• Prepare dried ingredients: Sift flour and set aside.

• Incorporating all ingredients into the cake batter:  Add melted butter, vanilla extract into the beaten egg yolk with sugar mixture. Gently add the whipped egg whites alternating with flour. Fold everything very carefully, without destroying the fluffiness of the eggs.

• Transfer cake batter: Pour the cake batter mixture into a prepared Springform pan.

• Garnish the unbaked cake: Slice unpeeled apples and place each slice on top of the cake, watch the video for this step, arrange everything starting from the center and go around creating a rose looking topping. This step is simple to make and will certainly impress everyone.

• Bake, Cool & Eat: Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, then cover with foil for 20 minutes. And uncover again for another 5-10 minutes. As soon as the cake reaches 180F in the center, gently take out from the oven and let cool until room temperature.

• Decorate the apple cake: Sprinkle it with cinnamon-sugar mixture and remove the mold. Slice and ENJOY!

I hope you'll make this recipe soon. If you do, please tag me #innichka_chef on Instagram, Facebook, Patreon or Pinterest.