Irish Apple Cake (Easy Rustic Apple Cake)

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We first made this Irish apple cake during a homeschool unit study on Ireland, and it’s been a family favorite ever since. It’s a simple, rustic cake that’s mostly tender apples held together with a lightly spiced batter, with a crackly cinnamon sugar top. Serve it warm with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream or the traditional custard sauce.

Tips

• Rub the butter in with your fingertips until it looks like fine crumbs. That’s what makes the texture tender.
• Don’t overmix. The batter should be thick and a little lumpy.
• Slice the apples thin so they soften completely as the cake bakes.
• Use a springform pan so the cake is easy to release.

Mandie

Irish Apple Cake

A rustic, lightly spiced cake packed with apples and topped with cinnamon sugar.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 10 slices

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp each ground ginger, nutmeg and allspice
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter cold, diced
• 1 cup sugar plus 2 tbsp for topping
• 1 1/2 lb Granny Smith apples about 5, peeled, cored, thinly sliced and chopped
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, nutmeg and allspice.
3. Rub in the cold butter with your fingertips until it looks like fine crumbs. Stir in 1 cup sugar.
4. Add the apples and toss to coat, separating any slices that stick together.
5. Whisk the milk, eggs and vanilla and pour over the apple mixture. Stir gently just until combined.
6. Spread in the pan. Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with the cinnamon and sprinkle over the top.
7. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes, then remove the ring.

Notes

Wonderful with custard, whipped cream or ice cream.

FAQ

Can I use other apples?

Yes. A mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, is lovely.

How do I store it?

Covered at room temperature 1 day, or in the fridge up to 4 days.

Can I make it ahead?

Yes. Bake a day ahead and warm slices before serving.

You might also like:

• Caramel Apple Crescent Dumplings
• Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie
• Pumpkin Roll