What type of apples are best for Irish Apple Cake?

Firm, tart apples work best for Irish Apple Cake because they hold their shape during baking and balance the sweetness of the cake. Granny Smith apples are a traditional choice, but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples also perform well. Avoid overly soft apples, as they can make the Irish Apple Cake too moist and dense.

Can Irish Apple Cake be made ahead of time?

Yes, Irish Apple Cake is an excellent make-ahead dessert. You can bake it one day in advance and store it covered at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to five days. Before serving, gently warm slices in the oven to restore the soft texture and enhance the apple flavor.

Is Irish Apple Cake served warm or cold?

Irish Apple Cake can be served either warm or at room temperature. Traditionally, it is slightly warmed and paired with custard sauce, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. Serving Irish Apple Cake warm enhances the comforting spices and tender apple layers, making it especially appealing during cooler months.

Irish Apple Cake – Easy Traditional Recipe

Name: Irish Apple Cake
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 3 Tbsp whole milk or cream; 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1/8 tsp salt; about 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1 lb after slicing); confectioner’s sugar for dusting; 3/4 cup all purpose flour (streusel); 1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats (streusel); 6 Tbsp unsalted cold butter, cut in small pieces (streusel); 1/2 cup granulated sugar (streusel); 6 large egg yolks (custard sauce); 6 Tbsp granulated sugar (custard sauce); 1 1/2 cups whole milk or half and half or cream (custard sauce); 1 1/2 tsp vanilla (custard sauce)

Description

An authentic old-fashioned Irish apple cake with thinly sliced tart apples, a lightly spiced buttery cake, and a crumbly oat streusel topping. This cake is delicious on its own or served with traditional custard sauce and perfect for breakfast, brunch, tea, or dessert. Source: The View From Great Island Irish Apple Cake. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3 Tbsp whole milk or cream
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
about 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1 lb after slicing)
confectioner’s sugar for dusting
3/4 cup all purpose flour (streusel)
1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats (streusel)
6 Tbsp unsalted cold butter, cut in small pieces (streusel)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (streusel)
6 large egg yolks (custard sauce)
6 Tbsp granulated sugar (custard sauce)
1 1/2 cups whole milk or half and half or cream (custard sauce)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla (custard sauce)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
Make the custard sauce: bring the milk to a simmer over medium heat; whisk yolks and sugar until combined; slowly drizzle hot milk into egg mixture whisking continuously; transfer back to pan and cook, stirring, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon; stir in vanilla; strain through a sieve into a heat-proof bowl, cover surface with plastic wrap, and chill.
Make the streusel topping by blending the cold butter into flour, sugar, and oats until coarse and crumbly; refrigerate streusel.
Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in the eggs one at a time.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt and fold into butter/sugar mixture along with milk or cream.
Spoon batter into prepared pan and smooth out evenly.
Top the batter with the sliced apples, then evenly sprinkle streusel topping on top.
Bake for about 50 minutes to 1 hour until the top is lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool slightly, remove from pan, and dust with confectioner’s sugar before serving with custard sauce.

Notes

Cake is not overly sweet—perfect with coffee, tea, or custard sauce. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for best texture and flavor. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Custard sauce can be served warm or cold; cool completely before serving for best texture. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx.)
Calories: 372.87 kcal
Sugar: 26.94 g
Sodium: 85.04 mg
Fat: 17.7 g
Saturated Fat: 10.67 g
Unsaturated Fat: Not specified
Trans Fat: Not specified
Carbohydrates: 49.8 g
Fiber: 2.47 g
Protein: 4.66 g
Cholesterol: Not specified