Szarlotka (Polish Apple Cake)
Szarlotka (shar-lot-ka) also known as Polish apple cake, is a beloved dessert in Poland and beyond. This heavenly treat is made with a layer of sweet and tart apples, tucked snuggly between two layers of buttery, flaky dough.
In Poland, szarlotka is typically served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's the perfect dessert to enjoy all year around, with a cup of tea or coffee, definitely snuggled at a small Café in the very center of Krakow in Poland.
I love to share this recipe with you all. It is my sister’s Teresa recipe whose desserts are absolutely unforgettable. This delicacy is a staple dessert at her home while entertaining her family and friends. This light and simple dessert has very little sugar added.
This recipe is cinnamon free.
Szarlotka Recipe:
By Zosia Culinary Adventures | Date: June 14, 2023
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Baking Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients: requires a cake pan 23cm x 33cm
300 g all purpose flour
200 g butter, cold, cut into medium dice
3 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
a pinch of sea salt
1 tsp pure vanilla essence
1.5 kg peeled and cored Matsu apples or any sweet-honeyed flavor apples that have sharp and tangy taste
1 lemon
2 tablespoon icing sugar
Instructions:
To make the filling: peel, core and chop the apples into medium dice. Ensure to submerge diced apples in the lemon water to prevent from turning brown. Strain apples leaving just 1/4 cup of liquid for cooking. Place diced apples + liquid in a large saucepan. Cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes, until the apples are soft. Taste for sweetness. I usually don’t like to add any sugar but if your apples are very sour you can adjust the sweetness. Take off the heat and set aside to cool..
To prepare the pastry: Sift the flour with baking powder and salt. Chop the butter into small pieces and rub into the flour with your fingertips until resembles breadcrumbs.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and vanilla extract. Pour into the flour mixture and work everything together with your hands until the dough is elastic and smooth.
Divide the dough into two equal pieces approximately 300 g each. Form into flat disks and wrap each in the saran wrap or place it in the ziploc bags. Leave one disk to rest in the fridge for about half an hour and the second disk in the freezer.
Preheat oven to 350°F (180 °C)
Line the cake pan with parchment paper. Remove the first disk from the fridge and roll it out to fit the bottom of the pan. Poke it with fork and bake it in the oven for 10-15 minutes until light golden in color.
Beat egg whites with sugar until it forms a soft peak.
Spoon the apple filling over the base in an even layer. Cover the filling with the whipped egg whites. Remove the second disk from the freezer and coarsely grate the dough over the top of the cake.
Bake the cake for around 45 minutes until golden brown. Leave to cool fully, then dust with icing sugar(optional) and cut into squares.
Serve topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if you wish. I personally enjoy szarlotka just as it is without any additional extra calorie added.