Apple Charlotte à la Russe
Apple Charlotte on a merchant table was a tribute to the tradition of long evening tea ceremonies around a boiling samovar.
At the merchant table
Evening tea
This dessert has a fascinating history: originally created as an exquisite cream-based dessert (Charlotte Russe) by French chef Marie-Antoine Carême for Emperor Alexander I, it transformed into a warm, comforting apple cake once it reached merchant homes.
Autumn apples
The secret to its success lay in crisp local autumn apples with a distinct tartness, which filled the house with an incredible aroma and provided a perfect balance of sweetness when baked.
The legend of the name
A popular 19th-century legend playfully claims the dessert was named after the wives of German bakers who ran confectioneries across Moscow and St. Petersburg, whom locals casually referred to as "Charlottes."
Caramel & cinnamon
In our modern interpretation, we preserve this tender sponge-and-apple base, enhancing it with rich caramel notes and warm cinnamon spice.