Delicious Homemade Irish Apple Cake: A Rustic Delight with Streusel and Creamy Vanilla Sauce

There are few things as comforting and inviting as a homemade cake, and this traditional Irish Apple Cake stands out as a true classic. It’s a marvelously moist and tender cake, generously studded with chunks of sweet-tart apples, all crowned with a delectable crumbly streusel topping. For an extra touch of indulgence, it’s often drizzled with a rich, creamy vanilla sauce, transforming a simple dessert into an extraordinary treat. This recipe promises a cozy experience, perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying with a warm cup of tea.

Discover the charm of traditional Irish baking with this authentic apple cake recipe. It’s a straightforward, from-scratch dessert that captures the essence of homemade goodness. Unlike lighter, airier modern cakes, this Irish Apple Cake boasts a denser, more substantial crumb, a characteristic that makes it perfectly suited to accompany a robust cup of tea or coffee. It’s a recipe passed down through generations, celebrated for its rustic appeal and the comforting warmth it brings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Irish Apple Cake

Essential Ingredients for Your Irish Apple Cake

Crafting this delightful Irish Apple Cake requires a selection of quality ingredients for each of its delicious components: the moist cake base, the crunchy streusel, and the luscious vanilla sauce. Understanding the role of each ingredient will help you achieve the perfect bake.

For the Cake:

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of our cake, all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure. Proper measurement is crucial; avoid packing it tightly into the measuring cup to prevent a dense or dry result. The “scoop and swipe” method (spoon flour into the cup, then level with a knife) ensures accuracy.
• Baking powder: This leavening agent helps the cake rise, contributing to its tender crumb and ensuring it’s not overly heavy.
• Cinnamon: While optional, a touch of ground cinnamon in the cake batter adds a warm, inviting spice that beautifully complements the natural sweetness and tartness of the apples. It enhances the overall cozy flavor profile.
• Salted butter (softened to room temperature): Butter provides richness and moisture. Softened butter creams easily with sugar, incorporating air for a better cake texture. Ensure it’s at room temperature for optimal mixing.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the cake and helps create a tender texture by interfering with gluten development.
• Large eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together, add richness, and provide structure and moisture. Allowing them to come to room temperature helps them emulsify better with the butter and sugar mixture, resulting in a smoother batter.
• Vanilla extract: A classic flavor enhancer, vanilla extract deepens the overall taste of the cake, adding a layer of aromatic sweetness.
• Heavy cream: This is a key ingredient for achieving a wonderfully moist cake. The high fat content in heavy cream contributes significantly to the cake’s richness and prevents it from drying out. Full-fat buttermilk would be the only acceptable substitute.
• Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, thinly sliced): As mentioned, these tart, firm apples are ideal as they retain their shape and provide a delightful tangy contrast to the sweet cake.

For the Streusel Topping:

• All-purpose flour: Provides the structural base for the streusel crumbs.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that signature crisp texture when baked.
• Rolled oats: If you enjoy a slightly chewy, rustic texture, rolled oats are a fantastic addition to the streusel. They add character and a pleasant chewiness. You can omit them if preferred, but the texture will be less traditional.
• Ground cinnamon: Complements the apples and adds another layer of warm spice to the crunchy topping.
• Salted butter (melted): Melted butter binds the streusel ingredients together, creating those irresistible crumbly clusters.

For the Creamy Vanilla Sauce:

• Instant vanilla pudding (3.4 ounce box): This forms the base of our quick and delicious creamy sauce. It is crucial to use instant pudding and not the “Cook and Serve” variety, as the latter will not set properly for this sauce.
• Whole milk: Provides the necessary liquid for the pudding mix while adding richness to the sauce due to its fat content. You can use lower-fat milk, but whole milk yields the creamiest, most luxurious result.
• Ground cinnamon: A pinch of cinnamon in the sauce ties all the flavors together, echoing the spice in the cake and streusel for a cohesive taste experience.

Optional Topping:

• Powdered sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar before serving adds an elegant finish and a subtle extra touch of sweetness.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake Irish Apple Cake

Baking this homemade Irish Apple Cake is a delightful journey from simple ingredients to a comforting dessert. Follow these detailed instructions carefully to ensure a perfect bake every time.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by generously spraying it with baking spray, ensuring all surfaces are covered to prevent sticking. Set the pan aside.

2. Begin by making the cake batter. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly until they are uniformly mixed. This ensures even distribution throughout the cake.

   
   

3. In a large mixing bowl, either with an electric hand mixer or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, cream together the softened salted butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together on medium speed for at least 2 minutes, until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color.

   
   

4. Add the large eggs to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and well combined.

   
   

5. Gradually add the previously combined dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, cinnamon) to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake.

   
   

6. Pour in the heavy cream and continue to stir the batter until it forms a smooth, cohesive consistency. This addition is key for a moist and tender cake.

   
   

7. Spread the prepared cake batter evenly into the bottom of your greased 9-inch springform pan, ensuring it forms a smooth base for the apples.

8. Arrange the thinly sliced Granny Smith apples in an even layer over the cake batter. Overlap them slightly to ensure good coverage and a beautiful presentation.

   
   

9. Next, prepare the streusel topping. In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, rolled oats, and ground cinnamon. Stir these dry ingredients together until well mixed.

   
   

10. Pour the melted salted butter over the dry streusel ingredients. Use a fork to mix and combine until large, crumbly pieces form. Make sure all the dry ingredients are moistened by the butter.

    
    

11. Generously sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the layer of apples in the pan. Use your hands to crumble it slightly, ensuring the chunks are not too large and the entire top surface of the apples is covered.

12. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes. To check for doneness, carefully insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, the cake is fully baked.

    
    

13. Once baked, transfer the springform pan to a wire rack and allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. After this initial cooling, carefully remove the outer ring of the springform pan.

14. While the cake cools, prepare the creamy vanilla sauce. In a bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix, whole milk, and ground cinnamon for 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.

    
    

15. Microwave the pudding mixture on high for 1 minute, then stir it well. Continue microwaving for an additional minute, or until the sauce is warmed through and has thickened to a lovely custard-like consistency.

    
    

16. Before serving, you can optionally dust the cooled Irish Apple Cake generously with powdered sugar for a beautiful finish. Slice the cake and pour the warm vanilla sauce over each portion. Enjoy this comforting homemade dessert!

    
    

This Irish Apple Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a taste of tradition, a perfect blend of rustic charm and comforting flavors. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or simply craving a delicious homemade treat, this recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen. Its tender apples, crisp streusel, and optional creamy sauce create a symphony of textures and tastes that will delight everyone.

Craving More Apple Delights? Explore These Recipes!

• Irish Soda Bread
• Irish Brown Bread
• Apple Dapple Cake
• Apple Coffee Cake
• Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze
• Apple Upside Down Cake
• Apple Pie Poke Cake
• Caramel Apple Cake
• Apple Surprise Cake
• Apple Spice Cake
• Sparkling Apple Cider Pound Cake
• Apple Streusel Muffins
• Crock Pot Apple Dump Cake

Irish Apple Cake: The Ultimate Homemade Treat

This heartwarming Irish Apple Cake is a dense, crumbly homemade delight, generously filled with tender, juicy apples and crowned with a buttery streusel. Drizzle it with a creamy vanilla sauce for an unparalleled dessert experience.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Servings: 8

Author: Brandie Skibinski

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour (see notes below about measuring)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 pound Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

For the streusel:

• ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup rolled oats
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 Tablespoons salted butter, melted

For the creamy vanilla sauce:

• 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding (do not use “Cook and Serve” type!)
• 3 cups whole milk
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For optional topping:

• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by generously spraying it with baking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the ½ cup softened salted butter and ½ cup granulated sugar for at least 2 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Add the 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
6. Pour in the ¼ cup heavy cream and mix until a smooth cake batter forms.
7. Spread the cake batter evenly into the bottom of your prepared springform pan.
8. Neatly arrange the thinly sliced 1 pound Granny Smith apples over the cake batter, creating an even layer.
9. For the streusel topping, combine the ⅔ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, ⅓ cup rolled oats, and ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon in a separate bowl.
10. Pour the 6 tablespoons melted salted butter over the streusel ingredients. Use a fork to mix until large, crumbly pieces form. Ensure all dry ingredients are moistened.
11. Crumble the streusel topping evenly over the layer of apples in the pan, ensuring the entire surface is covered.
12. Bake the cake for 50-55 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
13. Allow the cake to cool in the springform pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before carefully releasing and removing the outer ring of the pan.
14. To make the vanilla sauce, whisk together the 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding mix, 3 cups whole milk, and ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon in a bowl for 2 minutes.
15. Microwave the pudding mixture on high for 1 minute, then stir thoroughly. Continue to microwave for an additional minute until the sauce is warm and thickens to a custard-like consistency.
16. Optionally, dust the cooled Irish Apple Cake with powdered sugar before slicing. Serve each warm slice with a generous pour of the homemade vanilla sauce.

Notes:

• For accurate flour measurement without a kitchen scale, use the “scoop and swipe” method: spoon flour into the measuring cup until overflowing, then level off the excess with the flat edge of a butter knife. Avoid packing the flour.
• Please refer to the “Frequently Asked Questions” section above for other substitutions or for answers to common baking questions.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Irish

Nutrition Information (Estimated per Serving)

Calories: 573kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 27g | Sodium: 290mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 45g

Nutritional Disclaimer

This nutritional information is an estimate. “The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist. We recommend using your preferred online nutritional calculator with the specific brands you use for the most accurate values, as calorie counts and other nutritional data can vary.

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