Hi Bold Bakers! WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: Indulge in an Irish Apple Cake recipe that’s simple, delicious, and straight from my Irish mum — so it’s as authentic as it gets. Already have an account?
This classic Irish Apple Cake may seem humble but it is a diamond in the rough. Somewhere a cross between an American coffee cake or and an apple pie, this cake is one of my mum’s best Irish recipes. I am so happy to share this with you as I know it will be an instant family favorite. If you love this recipe, you’ll also love my Best-Ever Irish Scones, Irish Potato Farls, Irish Soda Bread, Irish Sausage Rolls, and more.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 3/6/2024, to include a step-by-step tutorial video, new photography, explanations of key ingredients, the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips.
Table Of Contents
What is an Irish Apple Cake?
Irish Apple Cake is a delectable fresh apple cake featuring layers of thinly sliced Granny Smith apples nestled within a moist and flavorful cake. This Irish Apple Cake is similar to a Classic Victoria Sponge Cake, but includes spices and a delightful crumble topping, adding a crunchy texture to the golden brown surface.
Tools For Irish Apple Cake
Measuring cups and spoons Measuring jugs Parchment paper Knife (for slicing apples) 9-inch springform pan Mixing bowls Hand whisk Stand mixer (optional) Silicone rubber spatula
Ingredients of Irish Apple Cake and Why
How To Make Irish Apple Cake?
Prepare to bake:
Can I Make Irish Apple Cake in Advance and How to Store Irish Apple Cake?
Yes, you can make Irish Apple Cake in advance. Allow the cake to cool completely before storing it using any method.
All-purpose flour All-purpose flour with a protein content of 9-11% provides structure to the streusel. It combines with the other ingredients to create a crumbly texture. Granulated sugar Sugar adds sweetness to the streusel, creating a contrast to the savory and buttery elements. This balances the overall flavor profile of the cake. The sugar crystals contribute to the overall mouthfeel, providing a delightful crunchiness to the topping. The sugar undergoes caramelization, contributing to the golden-brown color of the topping, adding depth of flavor, and enhances the visual appeal of the finished cake. Moreover, sugar acts as a binding agent to ensure the streusel adheres to the cake surface. Rolled oats Rolled oats introduce a hearty and slightly chewy texture to the streusel. It also contributes a nutty flavor. You can also use quick-cooking oats but the texture will be slightly different. Salt Salt enhances the overall flavor by balancing sweetness and adding a subtle savory note. Cold butter (cubed) Cold butter, when cut into dry ingredients, creates small, distinct little bits that contribute to the signature crumbly and flaky texture of streusel toppings. Cold butter adds land ayers pockets of fat which contributes to flakiness and a light, tender texture in the final product. When baked, cold butter releases steam as it melts. This steam helps create air pockets in the streusel, contributing to a crisp and crunchy texture on the surface. Using cold butter allows for the “rubbing or cutting in” method to prevent overmixing and a tougher texture in the final product.
At room temperature:
Store Irish Apple Cake at cool room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Coffee cakes and Teacakes like this are always best when kept at room temperature. There is no fresh cream or anything that requires it to be refrigerated and the texture and flavor are so much better at room temperature rather than cold from the fridge. If you live in a hot country, refrigerate, then remove to room temperature one hour before serving.
Alternatively, for extended storage, you can refrigerate or freeze Irish Apple Cake.
In the Fridge:
Wrap Well: After cooling, wrap the entire cake or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Ensure that the wrapping is airtight to prevent the cake from drying out and absorbing any odors from the fridge. Use Within 3-4 Days: Place the wrapped cake or slices in the refrigerator. Consume the refrigerated Irish Apple Cake within 3-4 days for the best taste and texture.
In the Freezer:
Wrap Well for Freezing: Wrap the entire cake or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Alternatively, use freezer-safe airtight containers. Label and Date: Label the wrapped cake with the date of preparation. This helps keep track of its freshness and ensures you use it within the recommended storage time. Use Within 2-3 Months: Ideally, store it away from other strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption. Irish Apple Cake can generally be stored in the freezer for 2-3 months. While it may remain safe to eat beyond this time, the quality may decline.
Thawing:
Refrigerator Thawing: Transfer the frozen Irish Apple Cake to the refrigerator a day before you plan to serve it. Thawing in the refrigerator helps maintain the texture and flavor. Room Temperature Thawing: For a quicker thaw, you can also leave individual slices at room temperature for a few hours. However, this method may result in a slightly softer texture. Serve Once Thawed: Once thawed, serve the Irish Apple Cake at room temperature or warm it briefly in the oven if desired.
Can I make Irish Apple Cake Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can make a gluten-free Irish Apple Cake using a blend of gluten-free all-purpose flour, or try my Almond Flour Baking Mix that can work in ANY non-yeast recipe.
What makes Irish Apple Cake unique?
The combination of apples, warm spices, and a crumble-like topping sets Irish Apple Cake apart, creating a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
What is the purpose of the streusel topping in Irish Apple Cake?
The streusel topping adds a crunchy, crumbly texture and a sweet, buttery flavor to the cake. It also protects the apples from drying out during baking.
How should Irish Apple Cake often be served?
Irish Apple Cake is often served warm with one or more of these options: a dusting of powdered sugar, freshly whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, salted caramel sauce, spiced rum caramel sauce, custard or crème anglaise, cream cheese frosting, a fruit compote, a cup of tea, or Irish coffee.
Is Irish Apple Cake traditionally associated with any specific occasion in Ireland?
While it is enjoyed throughout the year, Irish Apple Cake is often associated with festive occasions and celebrations in Ireland.
Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
While making the streusel topping, to avoid hand warming up the butter, you can leave out the oats and use a fork to cut the butter into the flour mixture, which helps with even mixing; alternatively, add all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until it looks like coarse bread crumb. streusel To get a more complex flavor, combine tart and sweet apple variations to add depth to the taste. Gala apples, Honeycrisp apples, Pink Lady apples, or even a small portion of pears or peaches will work well. To suit personal preferences, you can experiment with a dash of nutmeg, cloves, allspice, or cardamom for an extra layer of flavor. My Homemade Mixed Spice or Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice will be lovely, too. Depending on personal preferences, you can experiment with adjusting the sugar levels or use sugar substitutes from my chart in both the cake batter and the streusel to achieve the desired level of sweetness. But note that sugar-free sugar substitutes can’t caramelize so the streusel topping may not be so crispy. Replace part of the granulated sugar with brown sugar will add a caramel tone. For extra crunch and butty flavors, you can add slivered almonds, pinenuts, chopped toasted pecans, walnuts, or macadamia nuts. I think the best option for this apple cake is a 9-inch springform pan. Because it’s a big cake and rises a lot after baking. A springform pan will make removing the cake from the tin possible and so much easier than a normal solid-bottom cake pan.
Get More Irish Recipes!
Classic Irish Apple Tart Authentic Irish Apple Amber Pie My Mum’s Authentic Irish Apple Crumble Boozy Whiskey Apple Crisp Recipe Authentic Irish Potato Farls
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 3/6/2024, to include a step-by-step tutorial video, new photography, explanations of key ingredients, the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips.
