How to cook
Charlotte with apples and cognac — a simple, fragrant apple pie
Fluffy apple charlotte — a simple sponge cake baked in the oven. Classic recipe, history of the dish, tips, and filling options.
Apple charlotte is one of the most popular homemade pies, associated with comfort, autumn, and the aroma of fresh baking. It is a simple sponge cake with apple filling that is easy to make even without much culinary experience. Fluffy, soft, slightly moist inside, and with a golden crust on top — this is the kind of charlotte that many families love.
There is a romantic legend about the origin of charlotte: supposedly, a hopelessly enamored chef dedicated this dessert to a beautiful lady named Charlotte. The story is beautiful, but in reality, everything is much more complicated.
The first versions of charlotte appeared in France and resembled bread pudding with apples and custard. Later, the recipe migrated to England, America, and Russia, where it was significantly simplified. In Russia, charlotte became what we know today: sponge cake + apples.
It is believed that one of the versions of sponge cake charlotte was developed by French chef Marie-Antoine Carême at the court of Alexander I. Over time, the complex dessert was simplified, and the beloved homemade recipe was born.
Why is charlotte so popular?
- it is made from readily available ingredients;
- It does not require complex techniques.
- It can be made in an oven, multicooker, or even a microwave.
- It can be easily adapted to suit your taste—with cinnamon, berries, pears, nuts.
- always turns out delicious when simple rules are followed.