Description
This traditional Irish Apple Cake is a comforting, moist dessert filled with tart Granny Smith apples and warm spices. The cake is topped with a cinnamon-sugar mixture and served with a smooth, creamy custard sauce, making it a perfect cozy treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon allspice
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold, diced)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (or 1/2 cup white sugar and 1/3 cup brown sugar)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (divided)
- 1 1/2 lbs Granny Smith apples (peeled, sliced, cored, and stemmed)
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Custard Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 6 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees F to ensure it is hot and ready for baking the cake.
- Prepare the pan: Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice until evenly combined.
- Add butter: Incorporate the cold diced butter into the dry mixture using your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the texture resembles fine crumbs.
- Add sugar: Stir in 1 cup of granulated sugar with a spatula until combined.
- Prepare apples: Slice the peeled and cored apples into very thin pieces under 1/4-inch thick, then dice them into smaller chunks.
- Combine apples with flour mixture: Toss the apple pieces into the flour and butter mixture, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
- Add wet to dry: Pour the milk and egg mixture over the apple and flour mixture and gently toss with your hands or a spatula just until combined, allowing some lumps to remain to avoid over-mixing.
- Transfer batter: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared springform pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Prepare topping: Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle this evenly over the cake batter.
- Bake the cake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake: Remove the cake and cool it on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes before removing the springform ring. Allow the cake to cool completely before serving.
- Make custard sauce – beat yolks: In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar together until pale and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Heat milk: Warm the milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat until just boiling, then reduce to medium-low.
- Temper egg yolks: Slowly pour 1/2 cup of the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture while whisking continuously to temper the eggs.
- Combine mixtures: Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk, whisking constantly.
- Cook custard: Cook the mixture on medium-low, stirring constantly until it thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon, about 3-4 minutes, being careful not to overheat or curdle the eggs.
- Finish custard: Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract immediately.
- Cover custard: Press plastic wrap directly onto the custard surface to prevent a skin from forming, then let it cool.
- Serve: Drizzle the custard sauce warm or cold over slices of the cooled apple cake and enjoy.
Notes
- Use Granny Smith apples for a tart flavor and firm texture that holds up well during baking.
- Do not over-mix the batter to keep the cake tender and moist.
- Custard sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated; warm gently before serving.
- If you don’t have a springform pan, you can use a regular 9-inch round cake pan but be extra sure to grease and flour it well for easy release.
- Adjust spices to your preference to enhance or mellow the warming flavors.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Keywords: Irish apple cake, apple dessert, traditional Irish cake, apple cake with custard, spiced apple cake, autumn dessert
