Irish Apple Cake

Name: Irish Apple Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 95 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup salted butter, cold (114 grams or 4 ounces or 1 stick); 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (105 grams or 3 3/4 ounces); 1/4 cup rolled oats (21 grams or 3/4 ounces); 1/2 cup brown sugar (100 grams or 3 1/2 ounces); 3 medium Granny Smith apples; 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (175 grams or 6 1/8 ounces); 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt, use 1/2 teaspoon if using unsalted butter; 1/2 cup salted butter (114 grams or 4 ounces or 1 stick); 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams or 3 1/2 ounces); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; 3 tablespoons milk

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I’m excited to share this wonderfully moist Irish Apple Cake filled with apples and topped with a streusel. I love streusels and crumb tops. Gemma Stafford posted this on her blog under the title, “My Mum’s Irish Apple Cake Recipe”. Her opening line is, “It doesn’t get much better than my mum’s Irish Apple Cake recipe” and she couldn’t be more right. Lucky for us!

Irish Apple Cake dusted with powdered sugar on a white and green tray

This cake is simplicity itself to make and the reward is great. This cake is ideal served anytime of day. We especially liked it in the morning with a cup of tea. It’s not too sweet, the apples are soft but not mushy and the streusel adds one more layer of flavor. For me, this is a perfect coffee cake or snack cake. Thank you Gemma's Mom!

If you like crumb topping as much as I do, take a look at these recipes:: New York Style Crumb Cake, Easily Made Raspberry Ripple Coffeecake, Deep Butter Cake, and Apricot Crumb Coffee Cake.

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Recipe Ingredients
Step by Step Instructions
Recipe FAQ'S
Endearing Coffee Cakes
Irish Apple Cake

Recipe Ingredients

Streusel Ingredients

Ingredients for the streusel are all-purpose four, brown sugar, butter and oats

FRONT ROW: Old fashioned Oats

MIDDLEROW: Unsalted butter

BACK ROW: All-purpose flour, dark brown sugar

Cake Ingredients

Ingredients for the Irish Apple Cake are baking powder, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, apples
and all-purpose flour.

FRONT ROW: Salt, cinnamon, baking powder,vanlla

SECOND ROW: Unsalted butter

THIRD ROW: Granulated sugar, eggs, milk

BACK ROW; Granny Smith Apples, all-purpose flour

Be sure to see the recipe card below for t he full ingredients & instructions.

Step by Step Instructions

The Apples

Step 1.After peeling the apple cut it in half from top to bottom. Cut each half in half again making 4 quarters. Step 2. Place the knife at an angle just above the seeds and slice down.Step 3. Once you get the hang of it, it is much faster than scooping out the seed pod. Step 4. Thinly slice the apples and place in a bowl. Set aside. There is no need to add lemon juice or anything else to keep them from discoloring because they will when baked.

This collage shows the streusel being made The brown sugar, oats and flour are in a mixing bow. The butter is cut up and added then all are mixed to make make the crumbs.

Step 5. Combine the flour, oats, and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Step 6. Whisk together. Step 7. Add the cold, cut butter to the dry ingredients. Step 8. Mix on medium until crumbs form. Be careful not to over beat and turn it into a paste. Refrigerate while preparing the cake layer.

This collage shows the cake batter being made b beating the butter and sugar together, adding the egg, the flour and the finished batter.

Step 9. Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of a mixer until light and fluffy. Step 10. Beat the eggs in one at a time. They most likely will curdle. That's fine. Step 11. Whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together and add them to the creamed mixture. Step 12. Beat on medium low until completely combined, scraping down as necessary,

The final collage shows the batter mixed, in the pan, apples on top and the streusel on top of the apples.

Step 13. The batter when finished. Step 14. Line the bottom of a 9" x 2" round cake pan with parchment paper. Spray the paper and sides of the pan well with a non-stick baking release. Spread the batter in an even layer in the pan. Step 15. Place the apples over the batter in an even layer, pressing down lightly. Step 16. Add the streusel on top of the apples, pressing down. Bake as directed.

Recipe FAQ'S

What kind of apples are best for Irish Apple Cake?

Firm, tart apples are best because they hold their shape during baking and balance the sweetness of the cake. Granny Smith apples work well.

Is Irish Apple Cake the same as apple coffee cake?

Not exactly. Irish Apple Cake is traditionally a rustic, lightly spiced cake filled with fresh apples and often topped with a crumbly streusel.

Can Irish Apple Cake be frozen?

Yes. Allow the cake to cool completely, freeze it solid, wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving, then wrap in foil, leaving a vent hole in top and gently warm in a 350°F oven for about 15 to 20 minutes.