The Best Irish Apple Cake Recipe: Sweet Farmhouse Comfort

Irish apple cake stands as a delightful dessert steeped in rich culinary traditions.

Generations of bakers have lovingly crafted this sweet treat with passion and care.

Soft, tender crumbs mingle with warm spices, creating a comforting essence that speaks to familial connections.

Rustic and unpretentious, this cake celebrates simple ingredients revamped into something magical.

Butter, flour, and fresh apples combine in a dance of flavors that transport you to cozy kitchens.

Delicate hints of vanilla and cinnamon weave through each tender bite, promising a sensory experience that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

The recipe embodies comfort, tradition, and the pure joy of home baking.

Why Irish Apple Cake Is Comfort in Every Bite

• Comfort in Every Slice: Dive into a heartwarming Irish apple cake that wraps you in cozy, nostalgic flavors reminiscent of traditional home baking.
• Texture Symphony: Experience a delightful contrast between the soft, moist cake base, tender apple chunks, and crumbly streusel topping that creates a multi-layered sensory delight.
• Perfect Weekend Treat: Ideal for leisurely weekend brunches or afternoon tea, this dessert transforms simple ingredients into an elegant, rustic cake that impresses without complicated techniques.

What Goes Into a Traditional Irish Apple Cake

Main Ingredients:

Fresh Apples: Sweet and slightly tart apples that provide moisture and natural fruity flavor, preferably firm baking varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.

Flour: Essential base for cake structure, all-purpose flour ensures tender and consistent texture.

Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender crumb, use high-quality unsalted butter at cool room temperature.

Dairy and Eggs:

Milk or Cream: Adds moisture and helps bind cake ingredients, whole milk recommended for best results.

Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help cake rise, use large fresh eggs at room temperature.

Sugar: Sweetens cake and helps with caramelization, granulated white sugar works perfectly.

Spices and Extras:

Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements apple flavor, ground cinnamon adds depth to the cake.

Baking Powder: Leavening agent that helps cake rise and become light, ensure it’s fresh and not expired.

Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile, pure vanilla extract preferred over artificial.

Confectioner’s Sugar: Decorative dusting that adds subtle sweetness, finely ground for smooth appearance.

Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors, use fine table salt.

Oats: Adds texture to streusel topping, old-fashioned rolled oats recommended.

How to Bake Irish Apple Cake with Ease

Step 1: Craft The Custard Base

Warm milk gently over medium heat

Whisk egg yolks and sugar until smooth

Gradually blend hot milk into egg mixture

Cook mixture while stirring until slightly thickened

Add vanilla extract

Strain through fine mesh sieve

Cover surface with plastic wrap

Refrigerate until completely chilled

Step 2: Create Crumbly Topping

• Cold butter
• Flour
• Sugar
• Rolled oats

Blend until texture becomes coarse and crumbly

Chill in refrigerator

Step 3: Prepare Cake Batter

Preheat oven to 350°F

Grease 9-inch springform pan

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy

Add eggs one at a time

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Cinnamon
• Salt

Fold dry ingredients into butter mixture

Alternate with milk or cream

Mix until just combined

Step 4: Assemble Cake

Pour batter into prepared pan

Spread evenly

Layer sliced apples across top

Sprinkle reserved crumbly topping

Step 5: Bake And Finish

Bake for 50-60 minutes

Check with toothpick for doneness

Cool in pan briefly

Dust with powdered sugar

Serve with chilled custard sauce

Tips to Nail That Irish Apple Cake Texture

• Master Apple Selection: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Bramley for the best balance of flavor and texture in your Irish apple cake.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Toss apple slices in a light dusting of flour before arranging on the batter to prevent them from sinking and creating a wet cake base.
• Achieve Perfect Streusel: Keep streusel ingredients ice-cold and work quickly to create a crumbly, crisp topping that adds delightful crunch to the cake.
• Check Cake Doneness: Use the toothpick test carefully- a few moist crumbs are okay, but wet batter means the cake needs more baking time.
• Serve Temperature Matters: Let the cake cool slightly before removing from the pan, and serve warm or at room temperature with chilled custard sauce for the most authentic Irish dessert experience.

Storing Irish Apple Cake Without Losing Moisture

• Refrigeration: Store leftover Irish Apple Cake in an airtight container, covering it loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Room Temperature: Let the cake sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to soften and enhance its flavors.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes until slightly heated through, which helps restore the cake's original texture and warmth.

What Matches Well with Irish Apple Cake on the Table

• Sip Smooth Irish Whiskey: Complement the warm, spiced apple cake with a smooth Irish whiskey like Jameson or Bushmills, which enhances the cake's rich flavors and adds a gentle warmth.
• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Top the cake with a scoop of cold, creamy vanilla ice cream to create a delightful contrast between the warm cake and cool, smooth dessert.
• Brew Fresh Cinnamon Tea: Serve alongside a steaming cup of cinnamon tea, which echoes the cake's warm spices and provides a comforting, aromatic accompaniment that highlights the apple and cinnamon notes.
• Match with Caramel Latte: Enjoy a caramel latte that mirrors the cake's sweet and buttery profile, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that elevate the dessert experience.

Add a Twist to Your Irish Apple Cake Recipe

• Rustic Berry Remix: Replace apples with mixed berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant fruity version. Adjust sugar content to complement the berries' natural sweetness.
• Nutty Harvest Spin: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the streusel topping. Add a tablespoon of ground nutmeg to enhance the warm, autumnal flavor profile of the cake.
• Caramel Apple Classic: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the cake before serving. Sprinkle sea salt on top to create a rich, complex taste that balances the sweet custard sauce.
• Spiced Autumn Edition: Swap cinnamon for a blend of pumpkin pie spice. Use Granny Smith apples for a tart contrast and fold in some dried cranberries for extra texture and seasonal flair.

Irish Apple Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Delightful Irish apple cake hails from generations of home bakers in Ireland, blending rustic charm with sweet, spiced warmth. Served with creamy vanilla custard, this dessert invites you to savor a comforting slice of traditional Irish culinary heritage.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Apples:

• 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced (approximately 1 pound or 454 grams)

Main Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (94 grams) all-purpose flour (for streusel)
• ¼ cup (25 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients and Sugars:

• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted cold butter, cut into small pieces
• 2 large eggs
• 6 large egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) whole milk or cream
• 1 ½ cups (355 milliliters) whole milk (or half-and-half or cream)
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar (for cake)
• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar (for streusel)
• 6 tablespoons (75 grams) granulated sugar (for custard)
• Confectioner’s sugar for dusting

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Instructions

1. Create the custard sauce by gently warming milk in a saucepan until it approaches a simmer.
2. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a separate bowl until they form a smooth, pale mixture.
3. Gradually incorporate hot milk into the egg mixture, stirring continuously to prevent curdling.
4. Return the combined liquid to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and can coat the back of a spoon.
5. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve to eliminate any potential lumps.
6. Cover the custard with plastic wrap directly on its surface and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
7. Prepare the streusel topping by mixing cold butter into flour, sugar, and oats until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
8. Refrigerate the streusel until needed.
9. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a springform pan.
10. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
11. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
12. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
13. Gently fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with milk or cream until just combined.
14. Transfer batter to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.
15. Arrange apple slices in a uniform layer across the top of the batter.
16. Generously sprinkle the prepared streusel over the apple layer.
17. Bake for 50-60 minutes until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
18. Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan before removing.
19. Dust with confectioner’s sugar before serving.
20. Slice and serve with the chilled custard sauce alongside.

Notes

• Advance Preparation Matters: Make the custard sauce hours or even a day before baking to let flavors meld and ensure smooth, chilled texture.
• Temperature Control is Critical: Watch the custard carefully while cooking to prevent curdling, stirring constantly and removing from heat when it just thickens.
• Streusel Needs Chill Time: Keep the streusel topping cold until right before sprinkling on cake to maintain its crumbly, crisp texture.
• Apple Placement Impacts Presentation: Arrange apple slices evenly across the batter for uniform baking and an attractive rustic look.
• Baking Time Varies: Check cake doneness around 50 minutes, but be prepared to bake up to 60 minutes depending on your oven’s unique characteristics.
• Serving Suggestion Enhances Experience: The chilled custard sauce provides a luxurious, creamy contrast to the warm, spiced cake.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg