Hey there, it’s Anne Carter from Beyond the Bayoublog, and today I’m thrilled to share a recipe that’s close to my heart � “The Irish Apple Cake“. I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of simple, hearty dishes that bring people together. This apple cake, with its humble origins and comforting flavors, embodies the essence of home-cooked goodness. Picture tender slices of apple nestled in a soft, cinnamon-spiced cake � it’s the kind of dessert that wraps you in warmth and nostalgia.
I’ve tweaked and tested this recipe over time, ensuring it’s not just easy to make but also a delightful treat for your taste buds. No fancy ingredients or complicated techniques here; just straightforward, homely cooking that anyone can master. You can also try our Bisquick Coffee Cake or Tres Leches Cake.
So, whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out in the kitchen, join me in creating a slice of Ireland in your own home with this heartwarming Irish Apple Cake recipe.
What Is Irish Apple Cake?
it’s like a happy mashup of coffee cake and apple crisp, creating a delightful trio of layers in one tasty treat! First up, you’ve got the base – a lightly spiced cinnamon cake. Not too fancy, just the right hint of spice.
Next, we’re piling on thinly sliced apples. Now, these apples bring their A-game in natural sweetness and a bit of tartness. No need to add sugar or spice; they shine on their own with that clean, fruity flavor. But wait, there’s more! The grand finale is a buttery oat crumble on top. It’s like a toasty hat for your cake, adding that extra oomph.
And here’s the kicker: Forget whipped cream or frosting. We’re going for the gold with a drizzle of decadent vanilla custard sauce, also known as cr�me anglaise. It’s like the fancy bow on a delicious present.
Overview: How To Make Irish Apple Cake?
Get ready for a mouthwatering adventure with this authentic Irish Farmhouse Apple Cake � a delight on its own or paired with the classic custard sauce! The prep is a breeze, clocking in at just 35 minutes, and an hour in the oven brings this beauty to life. Perfect for sharing, this recipe yields 10 servings, making it an ideal treat for gatherings or simply satisfying your sweet tooth.
Equip yourself with a 9-inch springform pan to ensure a flawless bake. Now, let’s dive into the heart of this scrumptious creation. The cake base is a heavenly blend of unsalted butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. But here’s the star � the Granny Smith apples, thinly sliced and generously layered on top, adding a fruity twist to every bite.
As if that’s not enough, we crown this masterpiece with a streusel topping that’s a mixture of flour, old-fashioned rolled oats, cold butter, and sugar. Imagine a crumbly, buttery texture adding the perfect crunch to complement the soft cake and juicy apples. To add a final touch of decadence, we introduce a velvety custard sauce. Whisk egg yolks and sugar, blend with simmered milk, stir in vanilla, and refrigerate until it’s cool and ready to elevate your dessert game.
So, preheat that oven, grease that pan, and let the aroma of this Irish delight fill your kitchen. Don’t forget the dusting of confectioner’s sugar before serving � it’s the finishing touch to this irresistible treat!
Simple Pleasures Irish Apple Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Peeler
- Knife
- Baking Pan
- Cooling Rack
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 Tbsp whole milk or cream
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- confectioner�s sugar for dusting
- 1/8 tsp salt
STREUSEL TOPPING
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 6 Tbsp unsalted cold butter, cut in small pieces
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
CUSTARD SAUCE
- 6 large egg yolks
- 6 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk ~ you can also use half and half or cream
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350�F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan. Before starting the cake, make the custard sauce in advance.
- Heat milk until it simmers. While that's happening, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until well mixed.
- Slowly mix a bit of the hot milk into the eggs, whisking continuously.
- Transfer the egg mixture back to the hot milk, cook over medium heat, stirring until it coats a spoon.
- Add vanilla, then strain the custard through a sieve into a jar or bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator.
- Mix cold butter bits with flour, sugar, and oats until it's crumbly. Pop it in the refrigerator for later.
- Cream together butter and sugar until it's light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture along with milk or cream.
- Spoon the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Top it with sliced apples, and then sprinkle on the streusel topping. No need to be perfect; just make it even.
- Bake for about 50 minutes to an hour until the top is lightly browned. Check with a toothpick � it should come out clean without wet batter sticking to it.
- Let it cool a bit in the pan before removing. Dust with confectioner�s sugar before serving.
Nutrition
Time for The Tips!
- Streusel Topping: To keep the butter cool, skip the oats. Instead, use a fork to blend it with the flour mixture. Or toss everything into a food processor until it’s like chunky breadcrumbs.
- Apple Variety Mix: Combine tart and sweet apple types for a tastier twist. Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady and a bit of pear or peach can work wonders.
- Spice It Up: Play around with nutmeg, cloves, allspice, or cardamom to boost the flavor. My Homemade Mixed Spice or Pumpkin Pie Spice are also fantastic options.
- Sugar Sweetness: Adjust sugar levels to suit your taste in the cake and streusel. But beware sugar-free substitutes won’t give the topping that crispy crunch.
- Caramel Touch: Swap some granulated sugar with brown sugar for a delightful caramel tone.
- Nutty Goodness: Amp up the crunch with slivered almonds, pinenuts, toasted pecans, walnuts, or macadamia nuts.
- Perfect Pan Pick: Go for a 9-inch springform pan. This cake rises a lot, and a springform makes removing it a breeze. No sticking to the pan drama here!
Storing and Managing Leftovers!
- Room Temperature: If you plan to finish the cake within a day or two, you can store it at room temperature in an airtight container. Be sure to keep it away from direct sunlight and heat.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, especially if you anticipate keeping it for more than a couple of days, refrigeration is your friend. Place the cake in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap. This helps maintain its moisture and prevents it from drying out.
- Custard Sauce: If your cake is paired with custard sauce, store the sauce separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator. This prevents the sauce from altering the cake’s texture.
- Freezing (Optional): To keep your Irish Apple Cake for an extended period, consider freezing it. Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Thaw in the refrigerator when ready to enjoy.
- Avoid Mixing Odors: When storing in the refrigerator or freezer, place the cake in a section where it won’t absorb strong odors from other foods.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use a different type of apple for the Irish Apple Cake?
A: Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples bring a lovely tartness, feel free to experiment with your favorite apple varieties or a mix for a personalized touch.
Q: Can I make the streusel topping in advance?
A: Absolutely! Prepare the streusel ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble and bake the Irish Apple Cake.
Q: Can I use a sugar substitute in the cake batter and streusel?
A: You can experiment with sugar substitutes, but note that sugar-free options may not caramelize, affecting the crispiness of the streusel topping.
I can not make this recipe if I can not print it out to make it ???? so therefore I can not properly rate this cake. But, based on the ingredients and how it looks. It looks like it would be a cake I would definitely add to my regular go to cakes if I were able to make it..