Apple Sharlottka with Walnuts (Russian Apple Cake)

This is the most simple, yet delicious dessert you can whip up in a matter of an hour! The chances are you already have all of the ingredients on hand. Bonus- you can serve it both the Russian way, cooled and sprinkled with powdered sugar, with a cup of tea. Or you can serve it the American way, warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/3 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp apple vinegar (or any other vinegar works great, except for balsamic)
• 4 red apples
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts 
• powdered sugar for dusting (for Russian-style serving) 
• ice cream or whipped cream (for American-style serving) 

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Beat eggs and sugar on high for 5-7 minutes until foamy mixture forms. Gradually pour in the flour and continue beating until the batter is smooth and evenly combined. In a small cup combine baking soda and vinegar. Let the chemical reaction do its foamy thing! (The vinegar eliminates the taste of soda from the cake). Add to the batter and mix everything well.

2. Core and slice apples into long thin slices. I don't ever peel my apples for sharlottka. Spray a 9-inch spring form with cooking spray. Fold in apples and walnuts. Pour the batter into the prepared spring form. Bake for approximately 60 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and firm to the touch even in the center.

3. You can serve it two ways. The Russian way is to cool it completely and serve the cake sprinkled with powdered sugar. Add a cup of camomile tea and you get yourself a real Russian tea-time experience. The American way is to serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Enjoy!