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Irish Apple Cake with Streusel Topping and Custard Sauce Recipe

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3.8 from 8 reviews

This classic Irish Apple Cake is a delightful dessert featuring a moist, apple-packed cake topped with a crunchy oat streusel and served with a rich, warm custard sauce. Perfect for cozy gatherings, this cake combines the tartness of Granny Smith apples with aromatic cinnamon and a buttery crumb topping for a truly comforting treat.

Ingredients

Cake

  • ½ Cup Unsalted Butter, (Room Temperature)
  • ½ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
  • 2 large Eggs (Room Temperature)
  • 1¼ Cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
  • ¼ Teaspoon Salt
  • 3 Tablespoons Milk
  • 3 large Granny Smith Apples (peeled and diced)

Streusel Topping

  • ¾ Cup All-purpose Flour
  • ¼ Cup Rolled Oats
  • ½ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • ¼ Teaspoon Salt
  • 6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter (Chilled)

Custard Sauce

  • ¾ Cup Whole Milk
  • 1 Dash Salt
  • 3 large Egg Yolks
  • ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray an 8-inch round cake pan with pan spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a paddle attachment to cream together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes on medium-high speed. This creates a smooth, aerated base for the cake batter. Add the vanilla extract, milk, and eggs then mix until fully combined. Scrape down the sides to ensure even mixing.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening and spices in the batter.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until fully incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
  5. Add Apples: Fold the peeled and diced Granny Smith apples into the batter by hand until evenly distributed. The apple quantity should be roughly equal to the batter, giving a moist and fruity texture.
  6. Prepare Streusel: In a medium bowl, mix the flour, oats, sugar, and salt for the topping. Cut the chilled butter into small cubes and rub it into the dry mixture with your fingers until it forms coarse breadcrumbs. Keep the streusel chilled until ready to use.
  7. Assemble and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly. Top with the chilled streusel mixture. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the streusel topping is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the cake center comes out clean.
  8. Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors set.
  9. Prepare Custard Sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat the whole milk with a dash of salt over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale and thick, about 2-3 minutes by hand or 30 seconds with a mixer.
  10. Temper Egg Yolks: Slowly whisk the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture to gradually raise the temperature of the eggs and prevent curdling. Once combined, return the mixture to the saucepan.
  11. Cook Custard: Heat the mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
  12. Serve: Serve the warm custard sauce over slices of the apple cake for a comforting and delicious dessert.

Notes

  • The cake features a high apple-to-batter ratio, creating a moist and dense texture.
  • Be sure not to overheat the milk when preparing the custard to prevent curdling.
  • Chilling the streusel before topping helps maintain its crumbly texture after baking.
  • Use Granny Smith apples for their tartness which balances the sweetness of the cake and custard.
  • Allow the cake to cool slightly before slicing to ensure clean cuts.

Find it online: https://cozyplatter.com/irish-apple-cake-with-streusel-topping-and-custard-sauce-recipe/