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
Scale
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
