Irish Apple Cake Recipe
If you’re searching for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert that truly tastes like a warm hug, look no further than Irish Apple Cake. With its tender crumb, pops of tart apple, and whisper of spice, this classic Irish treat fits any occasion, from family gatherings to a slow Sunday afternoon. I absolutely love how it’s simple, rustic, and wonderfully unfussy—just honest ingredients coming together in a magical, old-world way. Whether you serve it straight from the oven with a tumble of whipped cream or savor a leftover slice with your morning coffee, Irish Apple Cake is pure comfort on a plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Irish Apple Cake comes together with pantry staples and a few fresh touches. Each ingredient is carefully chosen not just for taste, but also for the irresistible, tender texture and aromatic depth that make this bake impossible to resist.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cake its structure while staying soft and light.
- Baking powder: Ensures a gentle lift for a cloudlike crumb.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warm, inviting spice without overpowering the apples.
- Ground nutmeg: For a subtle, aromatic touch that’s classic in Irish baking.
- Unsalted butter (cold and cubed): Creates a scone-like texture and rich flavor—make sure it’s straight from the fridge!
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake just enough to let the apples shine.
- Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and diced): Their tartness cuts through the sweetness, and they hold their shape beautifully.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
- Whole milk: Contributes to a moist, tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a gentle sweetness and lovely aroma.
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional): Adds a simple, elegant finish.
- Custard or whipped cream (for serving, optional): Both are traditional accompaniments that make each bite even more indulgent.
How to Make Irish Apple Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pan & Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan—this is your insurance policy for easy cake removal and a perfectly baked edge. Lining the bottom with parchment also makes getting that first slice out a breeze.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This step ensures even distribution of the leaveners and spices for consistent texture and flavor in every bite of your Irish Apple Cake.
Step 3: Cut in the Cold Butter
Add your cubed butter right into the dry mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, gently work the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse, sandy crumbs. This creates that signature scone-like, tender crumb that makes Irish Apple Cake so irresistible.
Step 4: Add Sugar & Apples
Sprinkle in the sugar, then fold in the diced Granny Smith apples. Make sure each piece of apple is coated with the flour mixture—this prevents them from sinking and helps the apples hold their bite after baking.
Step 5: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a smaller bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract together. This trio adds moisture, binds everything together, and gives your Irish Apple Cake a gentle custardy backdrop.
Step 6: Combine & Assemble
Pour the wet ingredients into the flour-apple mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula just until combined—don’t overmix, as you want to preserve that lovely tenderness. Spoon the thick batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the pan onto the center rack and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes so it settles and firms up before you turn it out onto a rack.
Step 8: Finishing Touches
If desired, dust your Irish Apple Cake with a snowy layer of powdered sugar just before serving—simple, but so pretty. Enjoy it while still a little warm for maximum coziness.
How to Serve Irish Apple Cake
Garnishes
A classic finish for Irish Apple Cake is a gentle dusting of powdered sugar right before serving. If you want to go all out, add a swirl of softly whipped cream or a drizzle of warm custard. Both options give every bite that café-in-Dublin charm.
Side Dishes
This cake truly shines on its own but pairs beautifully with hot tea or a robust cup of coffee. If you’re making a brunch spread, fresh berries or a tangy fruit compote make lovely, colorful companions on the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a rustic look, serve Irish Apple Cake directly from the springform base and let everyone slice their own. If you’re feeling a little fancy, cut the cake into wedges and serve on individual plates with a generous spoonful of custard or whipped cream and a scattering of toasted nuts for crunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Irish Apple Cake tasting fresh, wrap leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. After that, transferring to the fridge will extend its life by another day or two, though the crumb may tighten a bit.
Freezing
This cake freezes surprisingly well! Once completely cooled, wrap individual slices (or the whole cake) in plastic wrap and then foil. Tuck them into a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when ready to serve.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked magic, warm slices in the microwave for 10–20 seconds or in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5–10 minutes. Top with cream, custard, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for that melt-in-your-mouth experience.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are traditional for Irish Apple Cake because of their tartness and firm texture, you can try Honeycrisp or Braeburn for a sweeter or slightly softer bite.
Do I need a springform pan?
Nope! A regular 9-inch round cake pan works wonderfully. Just be sure to grease it well and consider lining with parchment for easy removal.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. The texture might be slightly different, but it will still create a lovely, tender cake. Double check that your baking powder is gluten-free as well!
How do I know if the cake is done?
The top should be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If the middle still looks wet, give it a few more minutes and check again.
What’s the best way to serve Irish Apple Cake?
Traditionally, Irish Apple Cake is served slightly warm with either custard or a big dollop of whipped cream, but it’s equally delicious at room temperature with just a dusting of powdered sugar.
Final Thoughts
If you’re after a dessert that feels as comforting as a fireside chat, this Irish Apple Cake is your answer. Give it a try the next time you want to share something special—whether it’s for a family dinner or simply to treat yourself. I promise, one bite of its buttery crumb and juicy apples and you’ll understand why it’s an old-world classic worth baking again and again!
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Irish Apple Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Irish Apple Cake is a delicious and comforting dessert that combines tender chunks of apples with warm spices in a moist cake. This traditional recipe is perfect for enjoying with a dollop of custard or whipped cream.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Additional Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and diced)
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional:
- powdered sugar for dusting
- custard or whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
- Add Butter: Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles crumbs.
- Incorporate Sugar and Apples: Stir in sugar, then fold in diced apples to coat.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: Whisk eggs, milk, and vanilla in a separate bowl.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour wet ingredients into flour-apple mixture and stir.
- Bake: Spread batter in the pan and bake for 45–50 minutes until golden.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool before dusting with powdered sugar and serving.
Notes
- Best served warm with custard or whipped cream.
- Granny Smith apples provide a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
