Charlotte - Easy Apple Pie

This is a Russian favorite (pronounced Shar-lot-ka), and also probably the easiest cake you will ever bake. It requires hardly any preparation and only the most basic ingredients. And yet... the distinctive pink crust and lovely tartness of the apples make it a perfect home-made companion to tea and coffee.
Ready to try?

What you need:
3 extra large eggs
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1.5-2 medium apples
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup farina

How to do it:

1. Turn the oven on to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare the cooking pan (about 9" in diameter). First spread  1Tbsp melted butter over the bottom and the sides with your fingers or a brush. Then, pour the farina into the oiled pan and tilt it over the sink until there is a thin coat of farina covering all surfaces that the dough will touch. This makes the cake easy to remove and gives it an extra bit of texture.

2. Wash apples, remove core, and slice into half moons. Optionally, smother apple slices with 1 Tbsp melted butter. This will prevent them from drying too much in the oven.

3. In a large mixing bowl combine the eggs, vanilla extract and sugar. Mix with an electric mixer set on high for at least 2 minutes, or until the sugar is fully dissolved and a nice thick foam forms. These bubbles are what will make the cake dough rise. This cake is unique in that it requires no leavening agent, - all work is done by the eggs.
4. Add flour in two portions, both times mixing thoroughly with the mixer set on medium. Pour the dough into the prepared cake pan, arrange the apples on top, optionally sprinkle with some brown sugar and set into the preheated oven.

5. Bake for 30 minutes. From my experience, this is the perfect time for baking this cake. To be sure that the cake is done, you can insert a wooden chopstick into the center of the cake and check that it comes out clean.
6. Remove from the cake pan and set on a cooling rack to cool.
Serve with coffee or tea, and don't forget to enjoy!