As my friends can attest ..
I tell myself “It's ok to say now isn't a good time.” Close the front door, draw the shades, and call it a day. But for some reason, the tiptoe and peek is what I've resorted to, although I'm pretty sure the gig is up.
What again, was Einstein's definition of insanity?
A reminder that that cultivating a network of good people around us is worth the effort. Sharing a meal, swapping stories, and passing a plate are beautiful things. No matter if those across the table are similar us, or not.
Admittedly, over the years, the how can still be fuzzy at times. How to do it? How to keep the door open amidst busy schedules, last-minute commitments, or all of our quirks?
What are they thinking about? Themselves (of course). How they're feeling. If they're welcomed, happy, and loved.
Yep, no one coming to look under the beds.
This week I was surprised to learn my son does the same thing at his house.
In a large bowl start whisking together eggs. if using a mixer, do it on low-medium speed.
Slowly in a continuous stream introduce sugar.
Pour over the apples, doing your best to cover them all.
For the cupcake version: inlay the cupcake form with papers, layer apples on the bottom and pour batter to fill about a little over half. Bake until ready for 20-25 minutes.
This looks amazing again. You always have the best recipes and amazing photos of your food.
hahahaha That’s okay. I’m pretty crazy, too. There are days that I would like to pretend that I am not here. There are times that I just force myself because I need to face people. Sometimes I regret it, sometimes I don’t.
Dessert?? Tonight this is called Dinner. Problem solved.
I had no idea about your Russian connection!
Sharlotka, indeed, is considered a “gateway to baking” for every new cook, so easy and inexpensive it is (even if one makes a mistake and completely ruin it, the cost of few apples and a cup of sugar is not a big deal – compared to a layered chocolate cake, for instance). It is also usually made in the Fall, when apple harvest is in – but popular in the Winter, too, as apples are local and traditionally available in Winter.
There are many variations of the recipe; some ask for separation of egg yolks and whites and whisking the white with sugar first before mixing them with yolks+sugar – like for a pound cake. Some start with making a caramel and pouring to the bottom of the springform. Or instead of apples using strawberries.
I can often do the same – sneaking a peek around the curtain to see who it is at my door – sometimes it just has to be done and you just don’t want to face certain people. This apple sharlotka looks absolutely delicious, I’d love a slice!
Sounds like you need to install a camera system outside your front door. The apple cake sounds lovely, I make something similar with cinnamon and apple and that works very well too.
I have to say I am the same as well, I am naturally inclined to be somewhat of a recluse which is why I force myself to see friends or loved ones nearly every day so that I create a good network of people, but also because companionship is good for your mental health as well. And speaking of mental health, stuffing my face with cake is one of my favourite ways to combat the blues. This apple sharlotka looks like it was made for my tummy. I would eat it all in one sitting I think haha.
Attitude is so important these days and really missed by a lot of people! Love the apple tart, will make it myself for my upcoming garden party!
Haha I am the same too! I rarely answer the door in the day, that’s my time for me! This looks soooo good though, I love anything with apple. I may have to try it!
Love the sentiment of it being a home not a house. I always say this when I see friends with immaculate houses. We truly LIVE in ours! All are welcome but take us as we are!
I rarely entertain guests at home, not because I am an introvert, but because my husband has chronic back pain which limits his mobility. I would love to try that recipe for apple sharlotka. Looks really delicious!
Yum reminds me of a cake in Dorie’s Around My French Table…. guess there really are no boundaries in sharing foods between countries. Looks scrumptious. I’m sure it is.
I’m often the same and sometimes just ignore the doorbell if I’m not expecting someone. This apple sharlotka looks delicious but unfortunately I won’t be able to recreate it as I’m vegan.
I’m enjoying a warm slice with a dollop of creme fraiche right now. This is terrific and so easy to make! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing this recipe. It looks so delicious. I understand and I do that too 😅😅😅 sometimes you just don’t want to face certain people.
I’ve just pulled this out of the oven… it’s not what I was expecting! It’s a bit crunchy and almost like meringue on the top, but looks to be a little softer in the middle. I’m waiting impatiently for it to cool so I can take it out of the pan and devour it.
It’s amazing (and sad) that it is incredibly easy to become a recluse! But sometimes, it does seem like I seem to be doing all the invites! I’m at that stage where I invite one or two new faces each time just to broaden my circle. Which is handy when you homeschool.
I love this Russian apple cake, any cake with apples in it and I’m sold!
This is lovely. I am anxious to try it. It reminds me of the French Apple cake in Dorrie Greenspan’s book. Marie Helen’s cake, which is also lovely. It is very good. This is just as good too I bet. Well, we will look forward to it at our house this weekend.
This had my mouth watering from the first picture! I love how its just so simple and not a massive list of ingredients! All things I already have! shall be making this.
This looks absolutely delicious! I love Apple anything, and I always love finding new ways to use it and cook with it!
This looks delicious. I’ve never heard of a sharlotka before, but it does look quite similar to an apple cake thing my old German teacher made.
This will be my first introduction to Russian food (unless you count pierogis at Veselka’s, but I guess that’s a Ukrainian restaurant, and I didn’t cook those, only ate them). Anyway, looks delicious!
I could so relate to tiptoeing to see who is at the front door. I’ve been caught a few times and its usually me trying to close the curtain quickly lol. I love the spaghetti and meatball night you do, would actually love to do something similar someday. There’s something beautiful in breaking bread with a friend, a family member or even a neighbor. Btw the Apple Sharlotka looks so good!
That apple sharlotka looks delicious! This post is wonderful! Hospitality is a skill i think this generation is lacking in. No-one wants to accommodate or entertain anyone…everything is “effort”. I am encouraged by this post – being honest, setting limitations and not being too harsh on yourself. Everything doesn’t have to perfect, just inviting and friendly.
That looks like a very delicious recipe! I have some apples lying around my kitchen and this recipe looks like I can put them to good use. Though I’m not sure when can I get back to baking, but I’m definitely saving this recipe for whenever I can.
Thrilled to see a Russian recipe! Looks so delicious!
Oh my goodness! Apple Sharlotka looks so delicious! I have to try making this. Anything with apple is perfect!
This recipe looks amazing! My family always told me, “We are coming to visit you, not your home.” Although, that has helped me settle some, there are times where you feel that your home isn’t pulled together enough. We do just need to live in the now, and be happy with how things are. It’s life!
Being Russian, I can honestly tell you that practically every Russian woman has her own recipe of sharlotka (and btw, in Russian “apple sharlotka” sounds like “chocolate brownies” in English, not really necessary). For example, my mother always adds baking soda and lemon zest to the batter, my grandmother used to mix a cake batter very like a classic sponge cake, and in general, I have never eaten a sharlotka with apples chopped so small, though it does look pretty. 🙂 In fact, the sharlotka I’m used to is very similar to your recipe of your mother’s apple cake, just without the cinnamon.
And here I thought it was just me that snuck a peek when the doorbell rings! lol… so happy to hear I’m not alone in my crazy little world. As always, your recipe looks incredible and I’ll def be trying this one!
No way! I live for my apple peeler/corer thing! You have to make sure the peeler part is at the right springy-ness but that thing has seriously quadrupled my apple intake.
This cake is beautiful. It makes me wish I had a Russian friend!
I’ve never had Apple Sharlotka, yours looks incredible! I do find I can be a bit of a recluse myself so I try to break out of my comfort zone and attend events and things that I may not otherwise if it wasn’t for the blog.
Who isn’t this way is the real question. I think it’s apart of everyone in some form. Loved the recipe, It looks a lot like an apple version of Marcella Hazan’s “Farm Wife’s Fresh Pear Tart”—also made mostly of chopped fruit with a relatively unrich batter poured over, but with the addition of bread crumbs coating the pan, which cook up to this crispy texture that is just amazing.
I am so glad to know that I am not the only one who “screens” my front door…lol. I too am a bit of a recluse and often find people to be exhausting… However, we do have weekly get togethers with our now adult children and the in-laws. For our Family Funday Sunday’s we either get together at our house for dinner and a movie or we all meet up at a local restaurant. I love the idea of Spaghetti Saturday’s to include friends though! I have never heard of Apple Sharlotka… It looks and sounds delicious! I wonder if gluten free substitutions would do this recipe justice?
Yummy this looks really great. Your recipes are always yummy looking. I will give this a try.
I definitely understand those days not wanting to do anything whether it be to leave the house or respond to anyone coming. Some days i think we are just meant to take away from the world. But it’s weird constantly being connected through media and yet disconnected in so many other ways. It’s so great you have been able to keep up with Saturdays of Spaghetti. And it’s more awesome your husband was able to do that bandaging on the fly. I am very impressed. As for the cake. Wow! Looks amazing. But apple anything sounds amazing to me. It’s why I love to go apple picking with my daughter every year. Hope you are having an amazing week and have a great weekend in store for you.
I think I might have to make this tonight. We only have sweet apples, but we have many underripe pears. Maybe a combo of the two?
Spaghetti Saturdays sound like just a great idea for spreading the love and I love your recipe of Apple Sharlotka, can’t wait to try this!
What a decision I have to make now.
I love the sound of spaghetti Saturday . There is nothing better than sharing food with family and friends. I love this cake too , apples are lovely in cakes.
Beautifully said. I sometimes hide from the world as well and dread that knock on the door. But the sooner we open the door, the better it becomes. It’s really important that you enjoy it and not be too hard on yourself or your home. I love the idea of Spaghetti Saturdays and I’d love to make that a tradition where we live. I’m sure the husband would approve. This recipe is so lovely!
Oh my gosh, I am not alone! There are times I just can not bear to face people, with busy work parenting life, I find myself just needing a little rest at home.
I really enjoy reading about spaghetti Saturdays and I think it is such an awesome idea. It also can help you not to become fully a recluse. It sounds like you have a lot of fun. The pie looks incredible too.
Apples will forever be my favorite fruit and it’s always a delight to find new ways to use them. This looks particularly amazing, I can’t wait to give it a go.
Apple Sharlotka looks so beautiful and grandma recipes are always the best. I love any recipes with cooked apples in them. I too tend to be a bit of a recluse, like my time and space but occasionally make an effort to meet up with friends.That’s one of the reasons I like being a member of a charity club.. gets me to to meet people and socialize with members. I think things would probably would have been different if I had family in the same town.
This reminds me of when I used to live at home and my dad would always make apple tarts. They smelled so so so so so good, and would always make me drool. Sadly, I could never eat them because I have so many food allergies, but man, I would buy a candle that smelled like this pie for sure! LOL!
OMG, this looks so delicious. It’s the it is somewhat guilt free because its full of apples and don’t have a crust. Will make this for my niece and nephews because I know they will like it.
I’m so glad it’s not just me – being sociable is exhausting!
I had to laugh at the loose interpretation of a clean house with puupy bones around. We have bones and pieces of string from his chew toys everywhere even after I try to clean. This apple recipe sounds amazing.
I’ve always told anyone who will listen that my favorite food is the apple, in any form. This looks like a thicker version of Dorie Greenspan’s (though I found it on David Lebovitz’s site) french apple cake, though hers has butter and the addition of a few tablespoons of rum. Definitely going to try this also!
This is my childhood cake. My mom wasn’t the best cook or a baker, but this one she used to whip up in a minute! It was amazing, great recipe. I am making it now, for my own family!
I love the sound of this apple cake and the Spaghetti Saturdays are the best idea! Actually, this reminds me of strawberry summer cake (a la Martha Stewart) you wrote about last spring, for some reason. Maybe it’s the cakey fruitiness of them both. Or maybe it’s that I can probably actually bake this, too, since I can’t really bake but I can make the summer cake.
Personally, I think that this dessert is mostly apples, so it pretty much should just be called “fruit” 🙂 I love getting recipes from friends and family, it makes them so much more special!
This cake was perfect! I made it for book club and everyone raved about it!
PS, I would be the same with the window and the curtain!
Luckily we live in the middle of no where and anyone visiting our house has to travel quite some distance, so I am usually safe from impromptu visitors!
Polish also consider Sharlotka a very Polish cake. There is a great variety of apple cakes in Poland, but only one of them is called Sharlotka. As you said, it is more of an apple mousse with grated apple chunks baked between two layers of shortcrust. Your Sharlotka looks very good and I am sure it is delicious as well.
This looks delicious! I think you’ve inspired me to open an invite to people to come over for dinner soon. I need to remember it doesn’t need to be perfect!