Definition
Charlotte Russe is a dessert consisting of a sponge cake base topped with Bavarian cream and surrounded by ladyfingers. Think of it as a fancy, old-fashioned cupcake. The Bavarian cream is light and airy, flavored with vanilla. The ladyfingers create a decorative wall around the cream. It was particularly popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it's a nostalgic treat, often found at vintage bakeries.