Description
This Authentic Irish Apple Cake is a delightful traditional dessert featuring tender cake studded with juicy apple slices and topped with a crumbly streusel. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, this cake captures the essence of Irish baking with its moist texture and sweet, buttery topping. Ideal for afternoon tea or a comforting dessert served warm with whipped cream or custard.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the cake after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices throughout the cake batter.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial for creating a tender crumb in the cake.
- Add Sugar: Stir in the granulated sugar, mixing evenly to combine it with the crumbly mixture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients and Mix: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and whole milk until blended. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the cake light and tender.
- Fold in Apple Slices: Gently fold in the peeled, cored, and sliced apples to evenly distribute them throughout the batter without bruising.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it out evenly to ensure uniform baking.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the flour and sugar for the streusel. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture becomes crumbly, forming small clusters that will add a delightful texture on top of the cake.
- Sprinkle Streusel: Evenly sprinkle the streusel topping over the cake batter, covering the surface to create a crunchy topping after baking.
- Bake the Cake: Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the batter is fully set.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan before serving. This cake is best enjoyed warm and can be accompanied by whipped cream or custard for a traditional Irish touch.
Notes
- Use tart apple varieties such as Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Make sure the butter is cold when cutting into the flour to create a tender and flaky crumb.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Serve warm with whipped cream, custard, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
