Irish Apple Cake, the March staple dessert in Ireland, is a traditional Irish dish to make during the festive season. This classic cake is incredibly moist and fluffy, making Irish Apple Cake the perfect choice if you’re looking for an authentic dessert.
Dry Ingredients:
4 large Green Apples
3 cups Flour
3/4 cups Sugar
6 oz Butter
2 Tsp Baking Powder
1/4 Tsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Ground Cloves
1/4 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
Wet Ingredients:
2 Eggs
3/4 cups Milk
** Set aside 2 tablespoons of sugar to sprinkle over the cake before baking.
CUSTARD SAUCE:
6 Egg Yolks
6 Tbsp Sugar
1 1/2 cups Milk
1 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
** The custard sauce can be served either warm or cold over the Irish Apple Cake.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Spread a thin layer of grease and flour in an 8″ round springform pan to prevent cake from sticking. Using 8″ pan gives you a taller cake.
In a large mixing bowl, shift the flour, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, salt and the baking powder. Add cubed butter into the mixture using a pastry cutter, mix until you have no large pieces and mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add sugar to the flour mixture and mix well.
Cut off the stems from each apple. Peel the apples and cut them into equal slices. Toss the sliced apples into the flour mixture and mix completely.
In another large bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Pour milk mixture into the apple-flour mixture and stir with a spatula.
Transfer the cake batter to the prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Then sprinkle 2 Tbsp sugar evenly over the top of the cake batter.
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center to ensure the cake is done. The cake top should be golden brown. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before removing.
CUSTARD SAUCE:
In a bowl, whisk the sugar and egg yolks for two to three minutes, or until pale yellow. In a medium saucepan, place the milk and bring it barely to a boil. Whisk the hot milk slowly into the mixture of sugar and egg.
Return custard to the saucepan and whisk constantly over medium heat for approximately 4 minutes, or until the custard thickens. Add the vanilla for flavor. You can serve the custard sauce over apple cake either warm or cold.
Notes:
Green Apples: Granny Smith apples are ideal for creating Irish Apple Cake. The apples maintain their flavor and crisp texture even when cooked in the oven high heat. However, any green apple will do.
Unsalted butter: Provides a rich flavor and keeps the cake moist. Unsalted butter at room temperature is recommended.
Sugar: White sugar sweetens the cake and melts nicely.
Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
Eggs: Must be at room temperature to make a fluffier cake. They also help to hold the mixture together and give the cake structure.
Whole Milk: Adds moisture to the mixture, increasing the overall tenderness of the cake.
Salt: Balances the sweetness. It also enhances the flavors of other ingredients.
Baking Powder Helps the cake rise.
Ground Cloves: Enhance the apple flavor and provide depth to the cake.
Ground Nutmeg: Enhances the apple flavor without dominating it. Ground nutmeg is also used as a traditional spice for apples in Irish cuisine.
All-Purpose Flour: Works well in this recipe and keeps the cake light.
Enjoy!
