Make Classic Charlotte with This Easy Recipe from Barnaul

A Barnaul resident shares her foolproof recipe for apple charlotte, a beloved dessert that's easy to make. Marina Nartova's method ensures a light and fluffy sponge every time.

Oct 21, 2025

A photograph depicting the ingredients and steps for preparing a traditional apple charlotte dessert.
Source:
Darya Selenskaya / City Media

Charlotte is that dessert loved by both gourmets and those who enjoy spending time in the kitchen. Barnaul resident Marina Nartova shared her tried-and-true recipe with NGS22.RU.

To make apple charlotte, you will need:

Sugar — 1 cup
Flour — 1 cup
Eggs — 3 pieces
Butter — 1 tablespoon
Apples — from 4 to 7 pieces, depending on size

Preparation:

Thoroughly beat the eggs with sugar, then add the flour and beat again. You don«t need to peel the apples. Cut them as you like — into cubes, slices, or any other way. Grease the baking pan with butter, arrange the apples, and pour the prepared batter over them. Place in a preheated oven for 30–40 minutes, until the top of the pie is covered with an appetizing golden crust.

Little Tricks for the Perfect Charlotte:

Although classic charlotte is made with apples, for the best flavor choose sour varieties. They perfectly complement the sweetness of the delicate sponge.

To make the batter fluffy and prevent it from sinking, try separating the egg whites and yolks. First, beat the whites with sugar and flour, then add the yolks at the very end. This sponge will be airy and tender.

Many make the mistake of not preheating the oven properly. It«s important that the oven is well heated (about 15 minutes) before putting the pie in. The optimal temperature is 180 degrees Celsius (356°F), and the baking time is 30–40 minutes. Do not open the oven during baking under any circumstances. Otherwise, you risk getting an underbaked pie.

Don«t be afraid to experiment: add vanilla or cinnamon to the batter to give your favorite dessert new, even more interesting notes.