Irish Apple Cake Vanilla (Print Version)
Tender spiced apples baked into a moist cake, paired with warm, velvety vanilla custard sauce.
# What You Need:
→ For the Apple Cake
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt
06 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - ½ cup whole milk
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 3 medium tart apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
→ For the Topping
12 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
13 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ For the Warm Vanilla Custard
14 - 2 cups whole milk
15 - 4 large egg yolks
16 - ⅓ cup granulated sugar
17 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
18 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla.
04 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Gently fold sliced apples into the batter. Spread evenly into prepared pan.
06 - Mix 2 tablespoons sugar with ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the cake batter.
07 - Bake for 50 to 55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
08 - While cake cools, heat milk in a saucepan until just simmering.
09 - Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
10 - Gradually whisk hot milk into yolk mixture. Return mixture to saucepan.
11 - Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until custard thickens, about 5 minutes. Do not allow to boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
12 - Serve cake warm or at room temperature with warm vanilla custard poured over each slice.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The way the custard seeps into warm cake pockets is something youll want to experience again and again
- This recipe proves that some of the best desserts come from humble ingredients treated with respect
02 -
- The custard can be made ahead and gently reheated, but make it fresh if possible for the best texture
- Room temperature ingredients really do matter here, especially the butter and eggs
03 -
- Cut apples into uniform slices so they bake evenly and look beautiful
- If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil after about 35 minutes