Cozy Irish Apple Cake Recipe: A Sweet Taste of Ireland

Sweet memories of childhood weekends flood back with this traditional Irish apple cake that captures the essence of comfort and warmth.

Rolling hills of emerald green and rustic farmhouse kitchens inspire this delightful dessert.

Generations of bakers have perfected this simple yet extraordinary treat.

Rich butter and crisp apples blend into a tender, golden cake that melts in your mouth.

The fragrant spices whisper stories of ireland’s culinary heritage.

Warm from the oven, each slice promises a perfect balance of soft crumb and fruity goodness.

Bake this cake and savor a delicious slice of Irish culinary tradition.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50-60 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients in Irish Apple Cake

• Egg Yolks: Rich, golden base that creates silky smooth texture and adds luxurious depth to the sauce.
• Sugar: Balances the creamy custard with sweet undertones and helps thicken the mixture.
• Milk: Provides smooth, creamy foundation that transforms simple ingredients into a luscious sauce.
• Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dessert experience.

• Butter: Delivers rich, tender crumb and creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Sugar: Contributes sweetness and helps achieve golden, caramelized edges.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure with incredible moisture.
• Flour: Fundamental base that creates soft, delicate cake texture.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, airy rise and prevents dense cake consistency.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, comforting spice that complements apple beautifully.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances sweetness.
• Milk or Cream: Introduces tenderness and smooths cake batter.

• Apples: Bring fresh, tangy sweetness and delightful texture to the cake.
• Oats: Create rustic, crunchy streusel topping with nutty undertones.
• Confectioner's Sugar: Provides elegant, snow-like dusting for visual appeal.

Tools Required for Irish Apple Cake Prep

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, and beating eggs smoothly.
• 9-inch Springform Pan: Essential for baking and easily releasing the cake.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for combining dry and wet ingredients separately.
• Whisk: Great for blending custard and mixing dry ingredients.
• Sieve or Fine Strainer: Helps strain the custard for a smooth texture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Useful for folding ingredients and scraping bowls.
• Sharp Knife: Helps slice apples evenly.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cake to cool properly after baking.

Baking Guide for Irish Apple Cake

• Custard Preparation

A silky smooth sauce that elevates the entire dessert experience. Create this delightful accompaniment early so it can chill and develop rich flavors.

• Streusel Creation

Mix together a crumbly topping that will add delicious texture and crunch to your cake. Keep it cool until needed.

• Cake Foundation

Blend butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Gently incorporate eggs and fold in dry ingredients with love and care.

• Apple Arrangement

Select fresh, crisp apples and slice them with precision. Layer these golden gems across the cake batter, creating a beautiful landscape of fruit.

• Baking Magic

Slide the cake into a warm oven where transformation happens. Watch as golden browns emerge and tantalizing aromas fill your kitchen.

• Final Touches

Allow the cake to rest and cool slightly. Dust with a delicate snow of powdered sugar and serve alongside the chilled custard sauce.

• Serving Delight

Cut generous slices and present this stunning Irish apple cake. Each bite promises a harmony of tender cake, sweet apples, and creamy custard.

Flavor Tweaks for Irish Apple Cake

• Enhance the cake's warmth by adding ground nutmeg or cardamom alongside cinnamon. These aromatic spices will elevate the cake's depth and complexity.
• Fold chopped walnuts or pecans into the streusel topping for an extra layer of texture and rich, toasty flavor. The nuts will provide a delightful contrast to the soft cake.
• Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better binding and texture.
• Transform the classic custard by infusing it with orange zest, a splash of whiskey, or a hint of almond extract. These subtle additions will make the sauce unexpectedly delicious.

How to Serve Irish Apple Cake Warm

• Cozy Comfort Serving
• Warm slices straight from the oven pair perfectly with cold custard sauce, creating a delightful temperature contrast that makes each bite heavenly.
• Irish Dessert Companion
• Serve alongside a steaming cup of Irish breakfast tea or a small glass of Irish whiskey to enhance the traditional flavor profile and cultural experience.
• Seasonal Presentation
• Garnish with fresh cinnamon sprinkles, a dollop of whipped cream, or caramel drizzle to elevate the cake's visual appeal and add extra layers of delicious texture.
• Breakfast Twist
• Transform leftovers into a morning treat by slightly reheating slices and topping with Greek yogurt or a sprinkle of extra streusel for a decadent breakfast experience.

Storage Suggestions for Irish Cake

• Fridge Fresh Keeper: Store the Irish apple cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Freezer Friend Strategy: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake can stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Sauce Storage Solution: Keep the custard sauce in a sealed glass jar within the refrigerator. The sauce remains tasty for 3-4 days. Always stir gently before serving to restore its smooth consistency.
• Room Temperature Tip: If serving within 1-2 days, you can leave the cake at room temperature. Place it on a cake stand with a loose covering to keep dust away and maintain its delightful texture.

Hearty Irish Apple Cake

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• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Hearty Irish apple cake celebrates traditional baking from the Emerald Isle with rustic charm. Warm spices and sweet apples create a comforting dessert you can savor alongside afternoon tea or as a delightful ending to any meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced (1 lb or 454 g)
• 1 ¼ cups (156 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (94 g) all-purpose flour (for streusel)
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 6 tbsps (85 g) unsalted cold butter, cut into small pieces
• 2 large eggs
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1 ½ cups (355 ml) whole milk (or half-and-half or cream)
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) whole milk or cream
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for cake)
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for streusel)
• 6 tbsps (75 g) granulated sugar (for custard)
• ¼ cup (25 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsps vanilla extract
• Confectioner’s sugar for dusting

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Instructions

1. Custard Preparation: Warm milk gently in a saucepan near simmering point while whisking egg yolks and sugar into a silky, pale blend.
2. Sauce Integration: Gradually stream hot milk into egg mixture, stirring consistently to prevent curdling, then return to saucepan and cook over medium heat until sauce thickens and coats a spoon’s back.
3. Custard Refinement: Remove from heat, incorporate vanilla extract, strain through fine-mesh sieve, cover with plastic wrap directly on surface, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
4. Streusel Construction: Combine cold butter with flour, sugar, and oats, working mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, then refrigerate until needed.
5. Cake Foundation: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each incorporation.
6. Dry Ingredient Combination: Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together, then gently fold into butter mixture, alternating with milk or cream until just combined.
7. Cake Assembly: Preheat oven to 350°F, grease springform pan, transfer batter evenly, arrange apple slices across top, and generously sprinkle prepared streusel over apple layer.
8. Baking Process: Bake for 50-60 minutes until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center emerges clean, then cool slightly in pan.
9. Presentation: Remove from pan, dust with confectioner’s sugar, slice, and serve alongside chilled custard sauce.

Notes

• Prevent Curdling Carefully: Slowly add hot milk to egg mixture while continuously stirring to prevent egg yolks from scrambling.
• Achieve Perfect Streusel Texture: Use cold butter and work quickly to create coarse, crumbly streusel that provides delightful crunch.
• Select Apples Wisely: Choose firm, tart baking apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn that maintain shape and provide balanced flavor contrast.
• Monitor Baking Closely: Check cake at 50-minute mark to prevent over-browning, using toothpick test to confirm perfect doneness.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg