IRISH APPLE CAKE COZY COMFORT DESSERT 🏡

Name: Irish Apple Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 3 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 4 cups peeled and sliced tart apples (such as Granny Smith); 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup brown sugar

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Cozy up to a slice of homemade Irish Apple Cake 🍰 — this comfort classic is packed with sweet apples, warm spices, and a dreamy crumb topping that’ll have you coming back for seconds. With just a few simple steps, you can whip up a bakery-worthy treat that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. Let’s dive in! 😋

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Irish Apple Cake

This traditional Irish dessert is the ultimate comfort food 🤗 The tart apple filling is perfectly balanced by a sweet, cinnamon-sugar topping that creates an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make at home with just a handful of basic ingredients.

Whether you’re craving a cozy weekend baking project or need a crowd-pleasing dessert, this Irish Apple Cake is sure to become a new family favorite. 💕 And if you love exploring classic Irish baking beyond apples, you might also enjoy this traditional Irish soda bread recipe from BBC Good Food.

Key Tips for the Best Irish Apple Cake

The key to preventing a soggy bottom is to make sure your apples are properly drained and patted dry before assembling the cake. This helps the juices absorb into the batter instead of pooling at the bottom.

The #1 Trick for Better Flavor/Texture — For the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb, be sure not to overmix the batter. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until they’re just combined. Overmixing can result in a tough, dense texture. 🔥
Biggest Mistake to Avoid — The key to preventing a soggy bottom is to make sure your apples are properly drained and patted dry before assembling the cake. This helps the juices absorb into the batter instead of pooling at the bottom. ✅
Extra Flavor Boost — For a twist on the classic, try adding a handful of toasted walnuts or pecans to the crumb topping. 😋

What to Serve With Irish Apple Cake

This cozy Irish Apple Cake is the ultimate comfort food dessert, but it pairs beautifully with a few tasty accompaniments:

Vanilla Ice Cream — The cool, creamy contrast of a scoop of vanilla ice cream is the perfect match for the warm, spiced cake. 🍨
Whipped Cream — A dollop of fresh whipped cream adds a light, airy touch that complements the dense, apple-y filling. 🥣
Caramel Sauce — For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle warm caramel sauce over the top of the cake. 🍴
Hot Toddy — Sip on a cozy mug of Irish whiskey, honey, and lemon for the ultimate winter pairing. 🥃

When to serve it: This Irish Apple Cake is perfect for cozy weekend afternoons, holiday gatherings, or anytime you need a comforting dessert. 🎉

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this cozy Irish Apple Cake: 🍎 Crisp apples, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The contrast of the tart fruit and sweet, buttery batter is truly irresistible.

5-6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced — Honeycrisps or Granny Smiths work great
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

Ingredient Swaps (No Panic Allowed)

Dairy-Free Option → Use plant-based butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter (still delicious, promise) ✅
Nut-Free → Omit the crunchy topping if you’re not a fan of nuts (easy dietary swap) 👍

How to Make Irish Apple Cake (Step-by-Step)

With just a few simple steps, you can whip up this cozy Irish Apple Cake right at home. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Prep Work

Start by peeling, coring, and slicing your apples. Toss them with a bit of sugar and spices, then set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients — flour, baking powder, salt, and more warm spices.

Step 2: Main Cooking Process

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then fold in the dry ingredients just until combined. Spread the batter into a prepared baking pan, then top with the spiced apple slices.

Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly

Make the easy crumb topping by mixing together flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Sprinkle it evenly over the apple layer. Bake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

Let the cake cool completely, then slice and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate cozy dessert. 🍨 Drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra decadent touch.

Recipe Variations & Tips (Tiny Checklist, Big Energy)

Before you freestyle: run this quick checklist like a kitchen boss.

Different Apples — Feel free to use your favorite baking apples, like Honeycrisps, Granny Smiths, or Braeburns. Just be sure to peel, core, and slice them before adding to the batter. ✅
Boozy Twist — For a grown-up version, stir in a splash of Irish whiskey or Calvados to the batter. 🥃
Crunch Factor — Add a handful of toasted walnuts or pecans to the crumb topping for extra texture and flavor. 🎉
Dairy-Free Swap — Use plant-based butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter for a dairy-free cake. 🚀

Warning: “Just one more bite” is basically guaranteed. 😅🍴

Serving & Storage

Topic	Notes
Best Serving Ideas	Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch. 🍨
Fridge Storage	Let the cake cool completely, then cover and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. 📦
Freezer Storage	Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. 🧊
Make-Ahead Tips	You can make the cake 1-2 days in advance and store it in the fridge until ready to serve. 👍

Nutrition Notes

A cozy slice of Irish Apple Cake is the perfect comfort food indulgence. Each serving is packed with fiber from the apples and a bit of protein from the eggs. While it’s not the lightest dessert, the balance of sweet and tart flavors, plus the wholesome ingredients, make it a worthwhile treat to enjoy in moderation. 🍎

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 325 kcal
Protein: 4 g
Carbs: 47 g
Fat: 15 g
Sodium: 235 mg

Quick Questions People Always Ask

Can I use a different type of apple?

Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite baking apples, like Honeycrisps, Granny Smiths, or Braeburns. Just be sure to peel, core, and slice them before adding to the batter.

Can I make this cake dairy-free?

Yes, you can easily make a dairy-free version by swapping the butter for plant-based butter or coconut oil. The texture may be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.

How long will this cake stay fresh?

Properly stored, this Irish Apple Cake will stay fresh for up to 5 days in the fridge. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Definitely! You can assemble the cake 1-2 days in advance and keep it chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover slices?

For the best texture, reheat slices in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. You can also quickly warm them up in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.

Irish Apple Cake – A Moist & Delicious Autumn Treat 🍰