Irish Apple Cake
A wonderfully moist and tender cake, packed with sweet-tart apples and a hint of warm spice. Topped with a crunchy sugar crust, this rustic dessert is a comforting classic, perfect with a dollop of cream or a cup of tea.
For 8 servings
6 steps.
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
- a.Grease and flour a 9-inch round springform pan or cake pan.
- 2
Prepare the dry ingredients
- a.In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Set the bowl aside.
- 3
Prepare the wet ingredients
- a.In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs and 1 cup of sugar together until the mixture is pale and slightly fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- 4
Combine the batter and add apples
- a.Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Gently fold in the sliced apples, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the thick batter.
- 5
Assemble and bake the cake
- a.Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar evenly over the top of the batter. This will create a crunchy crust. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- 6
Cool the cake before serving
- a.Place the pan on a wire rack and let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes. If using a springform pan, run a knife around the edge and release the sides. Allow the cake to cool completely on the rack before slicing and serving.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor contrast against the sweet cake.
- 2Do not overmix the batter after adding the wet ingredients to the dry. This is key to a tender, not tough, cake.
- 3The crunchy sugar topping is classic, but a simple vanilla glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar after cooling also works well.
- 4For an extra rich flavor, serve slices warm with a dollop of clotted cream, custard, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- 5Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Adapt it for your goals.
Dairy free
Use a plant-based milk like almond or soy milk, and replace the butter with an equal amount of melted coconut oil or dairy-free butter.
gluten freeGluten free
Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum for structure.
healthyHealthy
Reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup and use whole wheat pastry flour for half of the all-purpose flour to add fiber and nutrients.
kid friendlyKid friendly
Add a handful of raisins or dried cranberries along with the apples for extra sweetness and texture that kids love.