Description
Polish Szarlotka is a traditional apple cake made with a buttery shortcrust base, spiced apple filling, and a crumbly or lattice topping, commonly enjoyed with powdered sugar or whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1.5 kg apples, peeled, cored, and grated
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs or semolina
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Add cold butter and rub into the flour mixture until crumbly.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract and knead quickly into a dough.
- Divide the dough into two portions, one slightly larger than the other. Chill both for 30 minutes.
- Press the larger portion of dough into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs or semolina over the dough.
- Mix grated apples with lemon juice and cinnamon, then spread evenly over the base.
- Grate or crumble the remaining dough over the apples.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes until golden.
- Cool completely and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for best flavor.
- The cake tastes even better the next day.
- Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Polish