This Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce is a traditional Irish dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. The cake is packed with tender, juicy apples and warm spices, giving it a cozy, comforting flavor. It’s lightly sweet and has a crumbly, rustic texture, making it the perfect balance between a cake and a crumble. The custard sauce is smooth, creamy, and adds a luxurious touch, complementing the apple cake perfectly.
Why You’ll Love This Irish Apple Cake Recipe
- Rustic & Comforting: This cake has a delightful rustic texture that’s hearty and full of warm, cozy flavors from apples and cinnamon.
- Perfect with Custard: The rich, creamy custard sauce is the perfect companion to the apple cake, adding a smooth, velvety finish to each bite.
- Ideal for Any Occasion: Whether for a family gathering or a special treat, this traditional Irish dessert is a crowd-pleaser.
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses pantry staples and fresh apples, making it an easy dessert to whip up.
Key Ingredients for Irish Apple Cake
1. Apples
- Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These apples hold up well during baking and add a delicious contrast to the sweet, spiced cake.
2. Flour & Baking Powder
- All-purpose flour and baking powder provide the structure and lift for the cake. The result is a cake that’s moist but with a slightly crumbly texture.
3. Butter
- Cold butter is cut into the dry ingredients to give the cake its slightly crumbly, scone-like texture.
4. Spices
- Ground cinnamon and nutmeg bring warm, comforting flavors to the cake, pairing beautifully with the apples.
5. Eggs & Milk
- Eggs and milk help bind the ingredients and create a moist, tender crumb. Whole milk is preferred for richness.
6. Custard Sauce
- The custard sauce is made with egg yolks, sugar, and milk, creating a rich, creamy sauce to drizzle over the cake.
How to Make Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce
This classic Irish dessert is easy to make and pairs perfectly with the rich custard sauce. Here’s how to prepare it:
Step 1: Make the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
- Cut in 1/2 cup of cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can use a pastry cutter or your fingers.
- Stir in 3/4 cup of sugar.
- Peel, core, and slice 3-4 medium apples, then fold them into the flour mixture.
Step 2: Make the Batter
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs and 1/2 cup of whole milk. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour and apple mixture, stirring gently until combined.
Step 3: Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Make the Custard Sauce
- While the cake is baking, prepare the custard sauce. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 1/2 cups of whole milk over medium heat until warm but not boiling.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 4 egg yolks and 1/3 cup of sugar until pale and thick.
- Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Be careful not to let it boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Let the custard cool slightly before serving.
Step 5: Serve
- Slice the cooled apple cake and serve with a generous drizzle of warm custard sauce. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dollop of whipped cream if desired.
Tips for Making the Best Irish Apple Cake
1. Use Tart Apples
- Tart apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn hold up well during baking and add a nice contrast to the sweetness of the cake.
2. Don’t Overmix
- When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix gently just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense.
3. Cut the Butter into the Flour
- Cutting cold butter into the flour mixture helps create a crumbly, scone-like texture in the cake. Make sure the butter is evenly distributed for the best results.
4. Make the Custard Sauce Carefully
- Cook the custard over low heat and stir constantly to avoid curdling. If the custard starts to boil, it may become lumpy.
5. Serve Warm
- This cake is best served warm with the custard sauce poured over it. If making ahead, warm the cake slightly before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Recipe Variations
1. Spiced Irish Apple Cake
- Add a pinch of ground cloves and allspice to the cake batter for a more spiced version of this classic cake.
2. Irish Apple Cake with Streusel Topping
- Top the cake with a buttery streusel made from flour, sugar, and butter before baking for extra crunch and sweetness.
3. Apple and Pear Cake
- Swap half of the apples with ripe pears for a mix of sweet and tart flavors in the cake.
4. Gluten-Free Irish Apple Cake
- Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make this cake gluten-free. The texture will still be delicious and crumbly.
5. Irish Apple Cake with Whiskey Custard Sauce
- For a boozy twist, add a splash of Irish whiskey to the custard sauce for a rich, warming flavor that pairs perfectly with the apple cake.
FAQs: Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce
1. Can I Make This Cake Ahead of Time?
- Yes, the cake can be made ahead and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat slices in the oven or microwave and serve with warm custard sauce.
2. How Do I Store Leftover Cake and Custard?
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The custard sauce should be stored in the refrigerator and can be reheated gently before serving.
3. Can I Freeze Irish Apple Cake?
- Yes, you can freeze the cake (without custard sauce) for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
4. What’s the Best Type of Apple to Use?
- Tart apples like Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Honeycrisp are the best for this cake as they hold their shape during baking and balance the sweetness of the cake.
5. Can I Use Store-Bought Custard?
- Yes, if you’re short on time, you can use store-bought custard. Just warm it up slightly before serving it with the cake.
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