Irish Apple Cake is a timeless classic that embodies everything I love about baking—warmth, simplicity, and tradition. Hi, I’m Amanda, the creator behind BeamRecipes, where every dish tells a story. This rustic Irish dessert, rich with tender apples and a hint of cinnamon, reminds me why I started cooking in the first place—to create comfort and connection through food. At BeamRecipes, I share easy, heartfelt recipes for real life—no fuss, just flavor and joy. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or craving a cozy slice with tea, this Irish Apple Cake brings a touch of Ireland straight to your table.
Serving Versatility
This Irish Apple Cake is as versatile as it is delicious. Enjoy it warm from the oven with a drizzle of custard sauce for a traditional touch, or serve it with softly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a more modern twist. It’s equally at home as a breakfast coffee cake, an afternoon tea companion, or an elegant dessert after dinner.
Full Recipe Section
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 373 per serving
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 Tbsp whole milk or cream
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1 lb after slicing)
- Confectioner’s sugar for dusting
For the Streusel Topping:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 6 Tbsp unsalted cold butter, cut into pieces
- ½ cup granulated sugar
For the Custard Sauce (Optional but Traditional):
- 6 large egg yolks
- 6 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1½ cups whole milk or cream
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- Make the custard sauce: Heat milk in a saucepan until it simmers. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar. Gradually whisk in a bit of hot milk to temper, then pour the mixture back into the pan. Stir constantly over medium heat until the custard lightly coats the back of a spoon. Do not boil. Remove from heat, strain, stir in vanilla, and cool completely.
- Prepare the streusel topping: Combine flour, oats, sugar, and butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until crumbly. Chill until ready to use.
- Make the cake batter: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture along with milk or cream.
- Assemble: Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Layer the sliced apples on top, then scatter the streusel over them.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool slightly before removing from the pan. Dust with confectioner’s sugar and serve with custard or cream.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation: Simple, rustic ingredients come together easily.
- Budget-friendly ingredients: Pantry staples and seasonal apples keep it affordable.
- Big, cozy flavor: The tender apples and cinnamon-spiced crumb create a warm, nostalgic bite.
- Nutritional value: Made with real fruit and oats for a wholesome treat.
- Customizability: Adjust the spices, swap in other apple varieties, or try it with pears.
Cultural or Cooking Technique Note
Irish Apple Cake is a beloved farmhouse tradition, often baked during apple harvest season when orchards overflow with crisp, tart fruit. Every family in Ireland seems to have its own treasured version—some plain, some topped with streusel, and others soaked in custard. The beauty lies in its simplicity and homely charm, a true reflection of Irish baking heritage.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with custard sauce for a traditional Irish finish.
- Pair with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Enjoy a slice at breakfast with coffee or Irish breakfast tea.
- Present it as a St. Patrick’s Day dessert dusted with powdered sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Pro Tips for Success
- Apple choice matters: Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture.
- Don’t overmix the batter: A light hand keeps the cake tender.
- Chill your streusel: Cold butter ensures a crumbly, crisp topping.
- Serve warm: A gentle reheat brings out the buttery aroma and apple flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze slices individually for up to 3 months, tightly wrapped. To reheat, warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave briefly to restore its soft, moist texture.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the wrong apples – Soft or overly sweet apples can make the cake mushy. Choose firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the perfect texture.
- Overmixing the batter – Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense instead of tender.
- Skipping the streusel chill time – Cold butter in the topping creates that signature crumbly texture. Don’t skip chilling the streusel before baking.
- Overbaking the cake – Check your cake at the 50-minute mark. Overbaking can dry it out and dull the apple flavor.
- Serving too soon – Let the cake cool slightly before slicing. This helps the crumb set and makes it easier to serve clean, beautiful slices.
4 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make Irish Apple Cake ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake it a day in advance. Store it covered at room temperature, and warm slices slightly before serving for that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
2. What are the best apples for Irish Apple Cake?
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn apples work best—they hold their shape and provide a lovely tart balance to the sweet cake.
3. Do I have to serve it with custard sauce?
Not at all. Traditional Irish Apple Cake is wonderful with custard, but it’s equally delicious with whipped cream, ice cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
4. Can I freeze this cake?
Absolutely! Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 300°F until warm and fragrant.
Closing Paragraph
Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or simply craving something cozy, this Authentic Irish Apple Cake is sure to become a household favorite. It’s simple, satisfying, and brimming with Irish charm. Bake it once, and it might just become your signature dessert! Share your version in the comments below and tell us how you made it your own.
🎀 Final Thoughts
There’s a special kind of magic in recipes that connect us to tradition—and this Irish Apple Cake does just that. It feels like a warm hug from an Irish grandmother, full of love, butter, and sweet memories. I hope it brings the same comfort to your table that it does to mine.
Authentic Irish Apple Cake
Equipment
- 9-inch Springform Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
Ingredients
Cake
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tbsp whole milk or cream
- 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.125 tsp salt
- 3 Granny Smith apples peeled and thinly sliced (about 1 lb after slicing)
- confectioner’s sugar for dusting
Streusel Topping
- 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.25 cup rolled oats
- 6 tbsp unsalted cold butter cut into pieces
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
Custard Sauce (Optional)
- 6 large egg yolks
- 6 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1.5 cups whole milk or cream
- 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.
- Make custard (optional): Heat milk in a saucepan until simmering. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a bowl. Temper with hot milk, then return mixture to saucepan. Stir over medium heat until thick enough to coat a spoon (do not boil). Remove from heat, strain, stir in vanilla, and cool completely.
- Prepare streusel topping: Combine flour, oats, sugar, and cold butter. Use a pastry cutter or fingers to create coarse crumbs. Chill until needed.
- Make cake batter: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add dry ingredients and milk to butter mixture. Mix gently until just combined.
- Spread batter in prepared pan. Layer apple slices evenly on top. Sprinkle chilled streusel over apples.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden.
- Cool slightly before removing from the pan. Dust with confectioner’s sugar and serve with custard or cream.