Charlotte with apples and kefir

To make a fluffy kefir charlotte, you'll need readily available ingredients found in any store. This simple recipe is designed for a 22-cm diameter pan. Prep and baking times vary depending on your oven power and apple variety. Below is a completely revised charlotte recipe with detailed instructions, precise proportions, and practical tips.

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1:

To make a delicious apple charlotte with kefir in the oven, take several juicy sweet and sour apples, rinse them under cold running water, and pat dry with a paper towel. You can peel the apples if desired, but if the peel is thin and the apples are fresh, you can leave it on—it retains some of the pectin and flavor. Cut the apples into thin slices or small cubes.

Step 2:

Take a 22 cm diameter pan and lightly grease the bottom and sides with vegetable oil or butter. To make removing the pie easier, you can line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper. If the pan is non-stick, the parchment is not necessary, but greasing the surface is always recommended.

Step 3:

In a dry bowl, crack three eggs, add a pinch of salt, and begin beating with a whisk or mixer on low to medium speed. Gradually add the granulated sugar and vanilla, continuing to beat until smooth and slightly foamy. The sugar should partially dissolve, and the mixture should increase in volume and become smooth.

Step 4:

Pour warm (room temperature) kefir into the egg mixture, then add the vegetable oil. Stir gently until the mixture is smooth and slightly runny. If the kefir is cold, let it warm to room temperature.

Step 5:

Sift the wheat flour into a separate bowl to aerate it and remove any lumps. Add the baking powder and quickly stir the dry mixture. Sifting the flour is essential for a fluffy kefir charlotte.

Step 6:

Add the dry ingredients to the kefir-egg mixture a little at a time, preferably in two batches, and gently stir with a spatula from the bottom up until smooth. The batter should be of medium consistency—not too runny and not too thick.

Step 7:

If you prefer an even distribution of fruit throughout the pie, add about half of the prepared apple cubes to the batter and gently fold them in. Alternatively, arrange the slices on top of the batter just before baking.

Step 8:

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out with a spatula. If you added apples, arrange the remaining apple slices on top, pressing them lightly into the batter. You can sprinkle the surface with 1–2 teaspoons of sugar for a light caramelization.

Step 9:

Place the pan in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F). For a 22cm diameter pan, bake for 40–45 minutes. After 35–40 minutes, check for doneness with a wooden skewer—there shouldn't be any batter remaining. If the edges are browning too quickly, reduce the temperature by 10–15°C (50–59°F) and continue baking until the fluffy charlotte is done.

Step 10:

After baking, leave the apple fluffy pie in the pan to cool - this is necessary for the structure of the baked goods to stabilize.

Step 11:

Before serving, dust the surface with powdered sugar, if desired. Charlotte is delicious both warm and cold.

The recipe is very easy to follow – this delicious apple charlotte will be ready in the oven within an hour – the time indicated includes the preparation of the ingredients.

Cooking tips

Keeping the eggs and kefir at room temperature promotes better mixing and optimal baking powder performance. Cold ingredients can slow down the reaction and lead to longer baking times.

If desired, you can use baking soda, which neutralizes the acidity of the kefir and fruit. It will make the charlotte even fluffier and more delicious.

Juicy apples release more juice during baking. To prevent this, lightly coat the sliced ​​apples in flour—this will help absorb some of the moisture and prevent the fruit from sinking into the batter.

The amount of sugar can be adjusted within the range of 180–220 g depending on the apple variety and personal preference.