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Traditional Irish apple cake served with creamy custard sauce

Traditional Irish Apple Cake with Creamy Custard Sauce

This delightful cake combines the tartness of apples with warm spices and is topped with a luscious creamy custard sauce, evoking the essence of Irish comfort food.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Baking, Dessert
Cuisine European, Irish
Servings 8 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 cups unsalted butter, softened
  • 0.75 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cups buttermilk
  • 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 0.25 cups chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (for topping)

For the Custard Sauce

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 0.25 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking dish by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  • In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, and then stir in the vanilla extract.
  • Alternately add the buttermilk and dry ingredient mixture into the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
  • Fold in the diced apples and chopped nuts, if using, then pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the turbinado sugar on top of the batter before placing it in the oven.

Baking

  • Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

Making Custard Sauce

  • While the cake bakes, prepare the custard by heating the milk.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract.
  • Gradually pour the heated milk into the yolk mixture, stirring constantly, and return to the pan over low heat.
  • Stir until the mixture thickens to a custard-like consistency.

Serving

  • Allow the cake to cool slightly before slicing it and serving with the warm custard sauce drizzled on top.

Notes

For best results, use the freshest apples available. You can serve the cake warm or at room temperature, and it pairs beautifully with coffee or tea.
Keyword Comfort Food, Custard Sauce, Dessert Recipe, Irish Apple Cake, Traditional Irish Baking