Irish Apple Cake

Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce: A Traditional Delight

Irish Apple Cake, a quintessential dessert in Ireland, particularly shines when accompanied by a rich, creamy custard sauce. This delightful cake combines the tartness of Granny Smith apples with a sweet, crunchy streusel topping, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Ideal for a cozy afternoon tea or a festive celebration, this traditional Irish dessert is not only satisfying but also a beautiful centerpiece for your table.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons whole milk or cream
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Approximately 1 pound Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• Confectioner’s sugar for dusting

For the Streusel Topping:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 6 tablespoons unsalted cold butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

For the Custard Sauce:

• 6 large egg yolks
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half or cream)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

Prepare the Custard Sauce:

1. Heat the Milk: Begin by warming the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it starts to simmer.
2. Whisk Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk the egg yolks and sugar until well combined.
3. Temper the Eggs: Gradually add a bit of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Slowly pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk.
4. Thicken the Sauce: Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens slightly and can coat the back of a spoon.
5. Finish the Sauce: Stir in the vanilla extract, then strain the sauce to remove any lumps. Chill it in the refrigerator with plastic wrap on the surface to prevent a skin from forming.

Make the Streusel Topping:

1. Combine Ingredients: Mix the flour, oats, sugar, and butter in a bowl until the mixture is crumbly.
2. Chill: Refrigerate the streusel until needed.

Prepare the Cake:

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate the eggs one at a time.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Combine Mixtures: Alternately fold the dry ingredients and milk into the butter mixture until just blended.
5. Assemble the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, arrange the apple slices on top, and sprinkle with the streusel topping.

Bake the Cake:

1. Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
2. Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool slightly, then dust with confectioner’s sugar.

Quick Facts:

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 50-60 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
• Servings: 8-10
• Calories: 350 kcal per serving

This Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce is a wonderful dessert that brings warmth and sweetness to any meal. The spiced, tender cake with its luscious custard sauce makes for a comforting end to any dining experience, particularly during the cooler months. Enjoy this beautiful combination of flavors and textures, a true homage to Irish culinary tradition.

Irish Apple Cake

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• Author: Dulcia
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8-10 1x

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Description

This Traditional Irish Apple Cake is a delightful blend of tender apples, warm spices, and a buttery streusel topping, making it the perfect dessert for any occasion. The cake is baked to golden perfection, with the juicy slices of Granny Smith apples adding a tangy contrast to the sweet, spiced batter. The streusel topping provides a satisfying crunch that complements the soft texture of the cake.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cake:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons whole milk or cream
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
About 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced (approximately 1 pound after slicing)
Confectioner’s sugar for dusting
For the Streusel Topping:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
6 tablespoons unsalted cold butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup granulated sugar
For the Custard Sauce:
6 large egg yolks
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups whole milk (or use half-and-half or cream)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

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Instructions

Prepare the Custard Sauce:
Start by making the custard sauce ahead of time. Heat the milk over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until well combined.
Slowly drizzle a little of the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. Continue to add more hot milk, then pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk.
Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Be careful not to overcook, as it can curdle.
Once thickened, stir in the vanilla extract.
Strain the custard through a sieve to remove any lumps and transfer it to a heatproof jar or bowl. Place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming, then refrigerate until completely chilled.
Make the Streusel Topping:
In a bowl, blend the cold butter into the flour, sugar, and oats until the mixture becomes crumbly and coarse.
Refrigerate the streusel topping until ready to use.
Prepare the Cake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture, alternating with the milk or cream, until just combined.
Spoon the batter into the prepared springform pan, smoothing it out evenly.
Arrange the sliced apples on top of the batter in an even layer.
Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples.
Bake the Cake:
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan before removing it.
Dust the cake with confectioner’s sugar before serving.
Serve:
Slice the cake and serve it with the chilled custard sauce on the side.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50-60 minutes

Nutrition

• Calories: 350