Irish Apple Cake
User Reviews
5
Irish Apple Cake
Description
The cake starts with a mix of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a blend of ground spices including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Cold butter is worked into this mix until a crumbly texture forms, into which sugar and finely sliced apple pieces are folded to evenly coat them. A wet mixture of milk, eggs, and vanilla is gently mixed in, just enough to bring the batter together without overworking, preserving tenderness.
Baked at moderate heat, the cake develops a soft yet structured crumb with embedded apple chunks offering bursts of tartness. The spices complement the fruit, giving the cake its characteristic Irish touch. This cake is commonly served warm with an optional custard sauce made from milk, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla, providing a smooth, sweet contrast to the spiced cake.
The cake is suited for teatime or dessert and pairs well with custard or cream to enhance its richness and texture. Its balanced sweetness and moist crumb make it a comforting treat that showcases apples in a fragrant, spiced batter.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon allspice
- 1 cup butter cold and diced into small pieces, unsalted
- 1 cup granulated sugar or use 1/2 cup white sugar and 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar divided
- 1 1/2 lbs apple peeled, sliced in half, cored and stemed, Granny Smith variety
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 egg room temperature, large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Custard Sauce - optional
- 1 1/2 cups milk whole
- 6 egg large yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the cake:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice.
- Add the diced butter and work it into the mixture using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, until it resembles fine crumbs.
- Using a spatula, stir in 1 cup of sugar.
- Slice the apples into very thin pieces, less than 1/4-inch thick, then dice those pieces into smaller chunks.
- Stir the apples into the flour mixture and toss well to evenly coat all the pieces.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.
- Pour the milk mixture over apple/flour mixture, using your hands or a spatula, toss just until combined (batter will be slightly lumpy, don't over-mix).
- Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- In a small bowl stir together the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar plus 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and sprinkle evenly on top of the cake.
- Bake for 45 - 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool for about 5 - 10 minutes on a wire rack then remove the ring from the springform pan and allow the cake to cool completely.
Make the custard sauce:
- Add the egg yolks and sugar to a medium mixing bowl and beat until pale and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the milk.
- Bring just to a light boil. Reduce burner to medium-low heat, then while whisking egg yolk mixture, slowly pour in 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture. Then, while whisking continuously the milk in the saucepan slowly pour the egg yolk mixture into the saucepan.
- Cook mixture, whisking constantly, until thickened and it coats the back of a wooden spoon, about 3 - 4 minutes (be careful not to over-heat it, or the eggs will curdle).
- Immediately pour into a glass container, and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Cover the custard with plastic wrap pressing against the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
- Drizzle warm or cold on top of the cake.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8slices
Amount Per Serving
Calories 658 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 658kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 90g | 30% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 253mg | 84% |
| Sodium | 404mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 493mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 53g | 106% |
| Vitamin A | 1225IU | 25% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 243mg | 24% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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