Authentic Irish Apple Cake Recipe
There’s something truly magical about baking an Authentic Irish Apple Cake. Imagine the scent of apples and warm spices floating through your kitchen as the cake bakes to golden perfection. This rustic treat is the ultimate comfort dessert, with tender, tart apples nestled in a buttery, cinnamon-kissed crumb. Whether you’re celebrating your Irish heritage or simply craving a cozy slice with tea, this cake is a delicious way to bring a taste of the Emerald Isle right to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Authentic Irish Apple Cake lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a special part, from the tartness of the apples to the richness of the butter. Let’s gather what you’ll need for this timeless classic!
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cake, giving it a rustic, scone-like crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness without overpowering the apples.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, tender texture.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses the cake with cozy, warming spice.
- Ground nutmeg: Lends subtle depth and a little nostalgia to each bite.
- Unsalted butter, cold and cubed: Creates those signature tender, buttery pockets throughout the cake.
- Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced: Their tartness and firmness stand up beautifully to baking.
- Large eggs: Bind the cake together and add richness.
- Milk: Moistens the batter and helps bring all the elements into harmony.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and adds a lovely, fragrant finish.
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional): A light dusting turns this humble cake into a true centerpiece.
How to Make Authentic Irish Apple Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Preheat Your Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan with butter or non-stick spray. Lining the bottom with parchment paper makes unmolding a breeze and keeps your cake perfectly intact.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This blend sets the stage for all the wonderful flavors you’ll build into your Authentic Irish Apple Cake.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The trick here is to keep the butter cold so you get a lovely, tender crumb in your finished cake.
Step 4: Add the Apples
Gently fold in the sliced Granny Smith apples, ensuring every piece is coated in the spiced, buttery flour mixture. The apples should be well distributed, so you get juicy, tart bites throughout.
Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. This trio brings moisture and a lovely richness to the cake, helping everything hold together beautifully.
Step 6: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet mixture over the apple and flour mixture. Stir gently—just until combined. Overmixing is the enemy of a tender, rustic cake, so a few streaks of flour are perfectly fine.
Step 7: Bake
Transfer the batter to your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly!
Step 8: Cool and Finish
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then run a knife around the edge and remove it from the pan. If you like, dust the top with powdered sugar for a simple, beautiful finish. Serve warm or at room temperature—both are irresistible.
How to Serve Authentic Irish Apple Cake
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar is the classic finish for Authentic Irish Apple Cake, highlighting its rustic beauty. For an extra-special touch, serve each slice with a generous spoonful of homemade custard or a dollop of lightly whipped cream. The richness of the cream or custard is the perfect counterpart to the tart apples and buttery crumb.
Side Dishes
This cake shines alongside a hot cup of strong Irish tea or fresh coffee. For a brunch spread, consider adding a bowl of fresh berries or a simple fruit compote to bring out the flavors of the apples. If you’re serving it as dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream will never go amiss.
Creative Ways to Present
Try baking the cake in individual ramekins for charming single servings, or cut it into wedges and stack the slices on a rustic wooden board for a farmhouse feel. If you’re feeling festive, drizzle a little warm caramel sauce over each piece for a decadent twist on tradition.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Authentic Irish Apple Cake keeps well for up to three days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If your kitchen is warm, consider refrigerating it to keep the apples fresh and the crumb moist.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil. It will keep beautifully for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Reheating
For that just-baked warmth, reheat slices in a low oven (about 300°F) for 10 minutes, or give them a quick zap in the microwave. The cake will taste fresh and delicious, with the apples taking on a lovely softness.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are traditional for Authentic Irish Apple Cake because of their tartness and texture, you can use any firm, tart apple such as Braeburn or Honeycrisp. Just avoid overly sweet or soft apples, as they tend to break down too much during baking.
Why is my cake more scone-like than fluffy?
That’s actually the beauty of Authentic Irish Apple Cake! Unlike typical American apple cakes, this Irish version is meant to be rustic and slightly dense, almost like a cross between a cake and a scone. It’s what gives it such charming character.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The texture may be slightly different, but you’ll still capture the rustic spirit and wonderful flavor of the original.
What’s the best way to serve Authentic Irish Apple Cake for a crowd?
If you’re hosting a gathering, bake the cake in a rectangular pan and cut it into squares for easy sharing. Serve with small bowls of custard or cream on the side so guests can help themselves.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the cake?
Of course! While not traditional, adding a handful of chopped walnuts or raisins can give your Authentic Irish Apple Cake extra texture and a touch of sweetness. Just fold them in with the apples before adding the wet ingredients.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ll find baking this Authentic Irish Apple Cake as rewarding and heartwarming as I do. It’s a recipe that brings people together, fills your home with irresistible aromas, and creates memories with every bite. Gather your ingredients, invite some friends over, and share a slice of true Irish tradition!
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Authentic Irish Apple Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Authentic Irish Apple Cake is a traditional rustic dessert that combines tart Granny Smith apples with a subtly spiced, buttery crumb. This easy-to-make cake boasts a scone-like texture and is perfect served warm with custard or whipped cream, offering a comforting taste of Ireland in every bite.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Cut in Butter: Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the cold cubed butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, creating a crumbly texture essential for the cake’s rustic feel.
- Add Apples: Gently fold the thinly sliced Granny Smith apples into the flour and butter mixture ensuring that slices are evenly coated to achieve consistent flavor and moisture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended to be added to the dry mix.
- Mix Batter: Pour the wet ingredients over the apple mixture and stir gently until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the texture tender and crumbly.
- Transfer and Bake: Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving warm or at room temperature. Optionally serve with warm custard or lightly whipped cream for an authentic experience.
Notes
- This cake is traditionally served with warm custard or lightly whipped cream to complement its rustic texture.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness and retain a pleasant texture in the cake.
- The texture is more rustic and scone-like, not a typical soft cake, making it unique and hearty.
- Ensure the butter is cold when cutting into dry ingredients to achieve the proper crumbly texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to maintain a tender crumb.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
