Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Sugar-Free Polish Apple Cake (Szarlotka)
Ingredients:
For the dough:
1.5 cups (200g) corn starch
1 ⅓ cups (160g) rice flour
2 sticks vegan butter or regular butter (if no dairy allergies)
½ cup (120g) Xylitol, honey, maple syrup or sweetener of choice
1 egg yolk
1 tsp gluten-free baking powder
For the apple filling:
4 Granny Smith apples
4 Gala apples (approximately 4 lbs in total)
2 tbsp Xylitol or sweetener of choice
1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Apples:
Core, peel, and cube the apples.
Place the cubed apples in a large pot.
Add 2 tbsp of Xylitol or sweetener of choice and 1 tsp of cinnamon to the pot.
Stir well to combine.
Cook the apples over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft.
Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
2. Make the Dough:
In a mixing bowl, combine the corn starch, rice flour, Xylitol, baking powder, egg yolk, and vegan butter.
Mix until the dough starts to come together. If needed, you can transfer the dough to a clean kitchen counter surface or cutting board for hand mixing to achieve a uniform consistency.
Alternatively, you can use a food processor to mix the dough.
Once the dough is well combined, divide it in half.
Wrap one half in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for 1 hour or in the freezer for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:
Preheat your oven to 360°F (180°C).
Lightly grease the sides of a 20” round baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
4. Assemble the Cake:
Press pieces of the remaining dough into the prepared baking pan, covering the bottom evenly.
Poke holes in the dough with a fork.
Bake the dough for 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes.
Spread the cooled apple filling evenly over the baked dough.
5. Add the Topping:
Grate the chilled dough and sprinkle it evenly over the apple filling without pressing down.
6. Bake the Cake:
Bake the assembled cake in the center of the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown.
7. Cool and Serve:
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a couple of hours before cutting.
Dust the cooled cake with ground Xylitol or powdered sugar before serving.
Enjoy your delicious Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Sugar-Free Polish Apple Cake, Szarlotka! Perfect for everyone, including those with allergies! 🎂🍏🌱
