Apple Charlotte

Of all the things made on this year's Great British Bake Off it was the Charlotte Russe I most wanted to have a go at.  I've never made many of the component parts (let alone get them to stay together) and recipes involving mousses, meringue and gelatine aren't my normal style, so I wanted to try something new.

So when the Richard Bertinet Patisserie Maison (which has an apple charlotte recipe in it) I bought for my birthday arrived in the same week as Mr Vitty's birthday when his brother and family were visiting and we were on holiday (so had time) it was too good an opportunity to miss.  It was also an opportunity to practise with a piping bag.  I need more practice, but it looked OK, even if the sponge fingers weren't quite all the same.

Apple Charlotte

This took a lot of time, but people seemed to like the end result.  I think I'll have another go at some point but will adapt it to have a more appley taste by using Bramley apple juice rather than a bog standard one from a supermarket and add a blackberry jelly layer.  If I can get the sponge fingers to be a bit more regular I might even try and make it into a self supporting charlotte russe.

Ladies Finger Biscuits - need more practice with a piping bag

Everything ready for assembly - Italian Meringue, Whipped Cream, Apple Custard, Caramelised Apple, Ladies Fingers and Calvados Sugar Syrup

Ready to Eat