Imagine a moist, flavorful cake filled with tender apples and topped with a crunchy streusel topping, all wrapped in the warmth of cinnamon and other spices. This Irish Apple Cake is a traditional dessert perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations or any cozy gathering. Whether you’re baking for a family dinner or a festive brunch, this cake is sure to impress with its rich flavors and inviting aroma.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Irish Apple Cake isn’t just about the ingredients; it’s about creating moments. Whether you’re cooking for a casual family dinner, hosting a get-together with friends, or simply indulging in some comforting flavors for yourself, this cake is versatile enough to fit any occasion. Here’s why it’s a favorite:
- Versatile: Perfect for any meal or gathering, this cake can be served with a variety of toppings like vanilla sauce or whipped cream.
- Budget-Friendly: Using simple ingredients like apples and flour, you can enjoy a delicious dessert without breaking the bank.
- Quick and Easy: Simple to prepare and bake, this recipe saves you time while delivering impressive results.
- Customizable: Feel free to add your own twist with spices or nuts to make each batch uniquely yours.
- Crowd-Pleasing: A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, this cake strikes the perfect balance of flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Here’s the magic of this cake—it’s made with just a few pantry staples, but the result is so much more than the sum of its parts. Let’s break it down:
For the Cake:
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure without overpowering the other flavors.
- Baking Powder: Essential for the cake to rise properly.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice to the cake.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened for a smooth and creamy texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances the tartness of apples and adds sweetness.
- Large Eggs: Adds moisture and helps bind the ingredients together.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of sweetness.
- Milk or Heavy Cream: Adds moisture and richness to the batter.
- Granny Smith Apples: Thinly sliced, providing a tart and crunchy texture.
For the Streusel Topping:
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides a crunchy base for the streusel.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the savory elements.
- Rolled Oats: Adds texture and crunch to the streusel.
- Cold Butter: Rubbed into the dry ingredients to create a crumbly topping.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece:
- Prepare the Streusel: In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, oats, and salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Refrigerate until needed.
- Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Butter and line a 9-inch springform pan. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture along with milk.
- Assemble the Cake: Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Arrange thinly sliced apples on top in an even layer.
- Add Streusel Topping: Cover the apples with the prepared streusel topping, pressing down gently with your hands.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for about 65-75 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let cool slightly before removing from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with a creamy vanilla sauce or custard if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8-10
Calories per serving: Approximately 350-400
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 65-75 minutes
Total Time: 95-105 minutes
How to Serve Irish Apple Cake
This cake pairs wonderfully with various sides and accompaniments. Here are a few serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience:
- Vanilla Sauce or Custard: A classic combination that never goes out of style.
- Whipped Cream: Adds a light and airy texture that complements the dense cake.
- Fresh Fruit: A sweet and refreshing contrast to the richness of the cake.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
- Use High-Quality Apples: Granny Smith apples provide the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Don’t Overmix: This ensures the cake stays moist and tender.
- Experiment with Spices: Feel free to add more cinnamon or other spices to suit your taste.
FAQs
- What type of apples are best for Irish Apple Cake?
Granny Smith apples are ideal for their tartness and texture. - Can I use a different type of sugar for the streusel?
Yes! Brown sugar adds a richer flavor, but granulated sugar works well too. - How do I prevent the streusel from becoming too crumbly?
Make sure not to overmix the streusel ingredients. - Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the batter and streusel separately and assemble just before baking. - How long does this cake last at room temperature?
It can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. - Can I freeze this cake?
Yes! Freeze after baking; thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. - What’s the best way to reheat the cake?
Reheat gently in the oven or microwave. - Can I serve this cake with ice cream?
Absolutely! Vanilla ice cream pairs wonderfully with the warm spices. - How do I ensure the cake doesn’t become soggy?
Bake until the streusel is golden brown and the cake is set. - Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour.
Conclusion
Irish Apple Cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a celebration of warmth and comfort. With its moist texture and crunchy streusel topping, this cake is sure to become a staple in your household. So grab your mixing bowl and get baking—trust me, you’re going to love this!
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Irish Apple Cake
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This traditional Irish Apple Cake is a moist, spiced dessert bursting with tender apple pieces and warm spices. Perfect for teatime or as a comforting dessert, its rich flavor is enhanced by buttermilk and a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Braeburn), peeled, cored, and chopped
- Optional: 1/2 cup raisins or chopped walnuts
Instructions
-
Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and lightly flour a 9-inch round cake pan or a similar baking dish.
-
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
-
Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
-
Combine Ingredients:
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped apples (and raisins or walnuts if using).
-
Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack.
-
Serve:
- Serve warm or at room temperature. For an extra treat, enjoy with a drizzle of custard or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Notes
- The cake tastes best when the apples are slightly tender but still add texture.
- You can prepare the apple mixture a few hours ahead to let the flavors meld.
- Leftovers keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: ~280 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg