This Irish Apple Cake was the end result of a search for an Irish dessert for St. Patrick’s day.
What I’m excited to share is a wonderfully moist cake filled with apples and topped with a streusel. There are several versions online, mostly without the topping. That is what drew me to this recipe. 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!
The Apples
Granny Smith apples are specified for this Irish Apple Cake and I stuck with those. While Gemma’s recipe calls for “one even layer” of apples, I took that to mean a single layer as in most of the other recipes. However, after peeling, coring and slicing 3 apples as called for, I added all of them, in one even layer.
Baking gets better when you subscribe to receive this PDF on getting the most out of baking including information on equipment, ingredients and baking equipment.
I’m also going to show you a quicker way to core an apple for slicing. After peeling the apple cut it in half from top to bottom. Cut each half in half again making 4 quarters.
Place the knife at an angle just above the seeds and slice down. Once you get the hang of it, it is much faster than scooping out the seed pod.
Irish Apple Cake Layer
I made a few minor changes like using brown sugar instead of granulated in the streusel and a bit more butter to ensure it holds together in the oven. The good news is there is lots of streusel topping.
I felt it was only fitting to use Kerry Gold salted butter if I was going to make this authentic.
The cake itself is cinnamon flavored backed up with vanilla. It’s a snap to put together. Don’t be put off by the relatively small amount of batter when spread in the pan. By the time the apples and streusel are added there is a full 2” layer of cake.
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.
The Conclusion
You don’t want to let this Irish Apple Cake go by.
If you like crumb topping as much as I do, take a look at these recipes:
Easily Made Raspberry Ripple Coffeecake
Irish Apple Cake
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
- ½ cup salted butter, cold (114 grams or 4 ounces or 1 stick)
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (105 grams or 3 ¾ ounces)
- ¼ cup rolled oats (21 grams or ¾ ounces)
- ½ cup brown sugar (100 grams or 3 ½ ounces)
Irish Apple Cake
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (175 grams or 6 ⅛ ounces)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt, use ½ teaspoon if using unsalted butter
- ½ cup salted butter (114 grams or 4 ounces or 1 stick)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams or 3 ½ ounces)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Streusel
- Spray a 9 x2 inch round cake pan with non-stick baking release. Set aside.
- Cut the butter into small pieces.
- Combine the flour, oats, and brown sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Add the butter.
- Beat on medium until crumbs form. Be careful not to overbeat and turn it into a paste.
- Refrigerate while preparing the cake layer.
- Irish Cake Layer
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x2 inch round cake pan really well. Set aside.
- Peel, core and slice the apples very thinly.
- Place in a bowl and cover directly with plastic wrap. They may still brown a bit, but that is fine.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together in a bowl. Set aside.
- Without cleaning the mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of a mixer until light and fluffy.
- Beat the eggs in one at a time. They will most likely curdle. Add half the flour mixture and beat on medium low. Add the milk. Add the remaining flour.
- Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Place the apples on top in a flat layer.
- Cover the apples with an even layer of streusel.
- Bake for about 65 to 75 minutes. A tester will come out cleanly and the apples will be soft.
- Cool the cake in the pan.
- To serve, dust with powdered sugar, cut into slices and get ready for a real treat.
- Store the cake, covered, at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. Ours barely lasted until the next day!!
Nutrition
Diane Perris says
Wow! Thanks, Helen, for sharing this terrific recipe. I made it for a small brunch on St. Pat's Day and everyone raved. I had a few leftover slices which didn't last long. This delicious cake actually gets better as it sits out as the flavors meld and it becomes more tender. I baked it exactly as written and wouldn't change a thing except for maybe adding a bit of cardamom to the dry ingredients, as I love cardamom with apples and cinnamon. Definitely a keeper!!
Helen S Fletcher says
Hi Diane - that's fantastic. It worked in high altitude with no changes?
ROBIN S ROSS says
Ms. Fletcher,
I am going to try making this Irish Apple cake after trying your apple cinnamon coffee cake. Do you think it would okay to shred the apples as I did in the coffee cake instead of the thin slices? Thanks for any advice. Robin
Helen S Fletcher says
Hi Robin, Not sure. I haven't done it. Then only thing I can think of is they might sink into the cake part.
Denise says
I'm going to try making this vegan. Fingers crossed.
Helen S Fletcher says
Hi Denise - let me know how it goes and if it does, please share.
Barb says
Great recipe - Thanks!
Elizabeth says
This is a wonderful recipe- perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea.
Elizabeth Torno says
This sounds delicious! 1) I have an electric hand mixer but no stand mixer. Will that likely work? 2) Just one pan, right? Both the streusel and cake sections mention spraying a pan. 3) In cake step #5, which bowl do you mean in "without cleaning the mixing bowl"? The one used for the streusel? Thanks.
Helen S. Fletcher says
Hi Elizabeth. I haven't used a hand mixer but assume it will work fine. One pan, one mixing bowl. That's pretty much it.
apricotsilk says
Good morning all from a sunny East Yorkshire in England. This recipe works wonderfully well as a gluten free. Not too sweet and I used Bramleys rather than Granny Smith. Its International womens day....have fun and stay safe.
Janet & the Hoolicats, Flora and Daisy
Helen S. Fletcher says
Hi Janet, So good to hear from you, Flora and Daisy. Hope all is going well with the three of you. What do you use to make this GF?
K says
Thank you for offering an Irish dessert. I hope it is VERY moist as that's how I like my struesel topped cakes. Thanks for showing us how to cut an apple. It's actually how I've been doing it for quite a while and can't recall where I learned it. Perhaps from on of the many cooking classes I've attended over the years!
Helen S Fletcher says
You're welcome.
Barb says
Thanks for this recipe - definitely going to try!
Helen S Fletcher says
Hi Barb, it is definitely worth a try.
Mary says
What size/type of pan is used?
Helen S Fletcher says
Hi Mary, I have added the missing information which is a 9x2 inch round cake pan.