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Home » Course » Dessert » Apple Sponge Cake (Sharlotka)

Published: Sep 7, 2023 by Veronika's Kitchen * This post may contain affiliate links

Apple Sponge Cake (Sharlotka)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Try this light and airy Apple Sponge Cake (also known as Sharlotka). Made just with a few simple ingredients, this easy to make apple dessert will become your new favorite Fall recipe.

A sliced cake, topped with apples, sitting on a plate on a table.

Apple dessert recipes are my favorite during the Fall season. If you like them too, you need to try this amazing Apple Sponge Cake (also known as Sharlotka). It’s a light and airy dessert, packed with your favorite apples. The recipe is super easy to make and you will need only a few simple ingredients.

Similar to my Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake and Apple Crumb Cake, I love having some leftovers of this Apple Sponge Cake and serving it for breakfast with a cup of coffee.

A sliced cake, topped with apples, sitting on a plate on a table.

Ingredients and Substitution

  • Eggs. It is very important to use room temperature eggs. They will create a better volume.
  • Sugar. Regular granulated or caster sugar will work well in this recipe.
  • Vanilla extract. Adds more flavor and aroma.
  • Flour. I use regular all-purpose flour. Just make sure to measure it correctly, so the batter won’t be too thin or too thick.
  • Baking Powder. It helps the cake to rise more evenly.
  • Salt. I always add salt to all desserts to balance the sweetness.
  • Apples. You can use any apples you have. Although, my favorite ones for baking are Honey Crisp and Granny Smith varieties.
Apples, eggs, flour, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in separate bowls.

How to make it

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line an ungreased 9-inch spring form with a parchment and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add 4 room temperature eggs. Using a stand or a hand mixer, beat the eggs for 2 minutes until the mixture starts to get lighter.

Process photos of beating eggs with a hand mixer.

Then gradually add ¾ cup granulated sugar and beat again on high speed for another 10 minutes or until the mixture triples in size and forms thick and fluffy ribbons.

Process photos of adding sugar to the eggs and mix them together.

Add 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix until combined.

Adding vanilla extract to the batter and mix it together.

Using a sifter, sift 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, ½ tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt in 3 steps, folding with a spatula in between of each addition.

Adding flour to the batter and mixing it.

Add ⅔ pealed, cored, and finely diced apples and gently fold them in.

Adding diced apples to the cake batter and mixing it.

Transfer the batter into the spring form and top with the remaining diced apples.

Bake at 350F for about 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Apple cake before and after baking.

Take it out of the oven and let sit on the countertop for about 10-15 minutes.

Slide a pairing knife or a thin spatula around the edges to loosen the cake. Transfer the cake to a platter to cool off completely.

Tips for best results

  • Sift the flour. Because we are making a sponge cake, it is better to sift the flour instead of just adding it to the wet ingredients. This extra step will help the cake stay light and airy.
  • Don’t overmix the batter. When you mix the wet and dry ingredients, make sure you don’t overmix it. Otherwise the cake can deflate and lose the soft airy texture.
  • Use a springform pan. Since this cake is very delicate, it is so much easier to release it from a springform pan than from a regular cake pan.
  • Don’t disturb the cake while baking. When the cake is baking, don’t open the oven until the cake is almost done. If you open it too often, the temperature difference and the air flow might cause the cake to get flat.
A cake, topped with apples on a tables.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to serve Apple Sponge Cake?

There are so many ways you can serve this Apple Sponge Cake. You can simply serve it as is, top with powdered sugar or caramel sauce. Sometimes, I also like to have it with a scoop of French vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Which apples are best for this recipe?

While I prefer to use tart or semi sweet apples for this dessert (like Granny Smith or Honey Crisp), you can use pretty much any variety that you have at home.

How to store?

Wrap the cake tightly in a plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

A sliced cake, topped with apples, sitting on a plate on a table.

More Dessert Ideas:

  • Baked Apples
  • Apple Pie with Puff Pastry
  • Chocolate Overload Cake
  • Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake
  • Apple and Blueberry Crumble
  • Cinnamon Muffins with Glaze
  • Chocolate Chip Banana Zucchini Bread
  • Chocolate Cake from Scratch
  • Old Fashioned Apple Crisp
  • Classic Apple Pie
A sliced cake, topped with apples, sitting on a plate on a table.
Print Recipe
5 from 9 votes

Apple Sponge Cake (Sharlotka)

Try this light and airy Apple Sponge Cake (also known as Sharlotka). Made just with a few simple ingredients, this easy to make apple dessert will become your new favorite Fall recipe.
Prep Time25 minutes mins
Cook Time45 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Russian/Ukrainian
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 200kcal
Author: Veronika’s Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 large apples peeled, cored, and diced

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F. Line an ungreased 9-inch spring form with a parchment and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add 4 room temperature eggs. Using a stand or a hand mixer, beat the eggs for 2 minutes until the mixture starts to get lighter.
  • Then gradually add ¾ cup granulated sugar and beat again on high speed for another 10 minutes or until the mixture triples in size and forms thick and fluffy ribbons.
  • Add 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix until combined.
  • Using a sifter, sift 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, ½ tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt in 3 steps, folding with a spatula in between of each addition.
  • Add ⅔ pealed, cored, and finely diced apples and gently fold them in.
  • Transfer the batter into the spring form and top with the remaining diced apples.
  • Bake at 350F for about 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Take it out of the oven and let sit on the countertop for about 10-15 minutes.
  • Slide a pairing knife or a thin spatula around the edges to loosen the cake. Transfer the cake to a platter to cool off completely.

Notes

  • Sift the flour. Because we are making a sponge cake, it is better to sift the flour instead of just adding it to the wet ingredients. This extra step will help the cake stay light and airy.
  • Don’t overmix the batter. When you mix the wet and dry ingredients, make sure you don’t overmix it. Otherwise the cake can deflate and lose the soft airy texture.
  • Use a springform pan. Since this cake is very delicate, it is so much easier to release it from a springform pan than from a regular cake pan.
  • Don’t disturb the cake while baking. When the cake is baking, don’t open the oven until the cake is almost done. If you open it too often, the temperature difference and the air flow might cause the cake to get flat.
  • How to store. Wrap the cake tightly in a plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 143IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram; be sure to tag me @veronikaskitchen.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe Rating




  1. sophie says

    September 18, 2023 at 8:11 pm

    5 stars
    Its light, airy texture and sweet, apple-infused flavor make it a timeless classic. Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee

    Reply
  2. Jenny says

    September 18, 2023 at 3:01 am

    If this cake is like your cinnamon coffee cake sign me up! We love your cooking and baking, you have terrific ideas and recipes so I am making this cake this afternoon with my nieces. They want to bake something with me and your recipe is terrific, easy to understand, and looks delish. Do you think I can use pears as well as apples? I have a ton of lovely pears and am willing to make two cakes, one for each fruit. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  3. Ann says

    September 17, 2023 at 3:23 pm

    5 stars
    My grandma used to make a similar cake. It was always delicious! I’m excited to give this recipe a try!

    Reply
  4. Valentina says

    September 17, 2023 at 6:38 am

    5 stars
    This Apple sponge cake was simply pure bliss. It tasted so good that everyone wanted extra. Can’t wait to make it again!

    Reply
  5. Jacqueline Debono says

    September 17, 2023 at 4:35 am

    5 stars
    I love apple cakes (and pies). This is my new favourite as it’s super easy to make, beautifully moist and flavourful!

    Reply
  6. Veronika says

    September 16, 2023 at 10:25 pm

    5 stars
    I love a good pound cake and an apple one is perfect for this time of the year! We always have tons of apples later in the fall so I can’t wait to make it again then.

    Reply
  7. Maddy says

    September 15, 2023 at 6:23 pm

    5 stars
    My family really loved how this turned out. I enjoy baking with apples during the fall but we don’t like apple pie, and of course the kids always was a dessert. So this was a great alternative.

    Reply
  8. Kristina says

    September 15, 2023 at 6:20 pm

    5 stars
    I loved this with fresh picked honeycrisp apples from the orchard. The flavor and texture was perfect.

    Reply
  9. Erin says

    September 15, 2023 at 8:23 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for the tip on the springform! This cake came out beautifully and was so, so tasty. Thanks!

    Reply
  10. Marta says

    September 12, 2023 at 5:18 pm

    5 stars
    This apple sharlotka was an amazing way to end our Sunday meal. I added just a small amount of cardamom to give it my own twist and it was perfect.

    Reply

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