Irish Apple with Custard (Printable)
A moist cake brimming with tart apples and warming spices, paired perfectly with creamy custard sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Apple Cake
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
05 - 1/4 tsp salt
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
07 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
08 - 3 large eggs
09 - 1/4 cup whole milk
10 - 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
11 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ For the Custard
12 - 2 cups whole milk
13 - 4 large egg yolks
14 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
15 - 2 tsp cornstarch
16 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
03 - Rub in the cold diced butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
04 - Stir the sugar into the flour-butter mixture until evenly distributed.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Pour into the flour mixture and mix until just combined.
06 - Gently fold in the apple slices, ensuring they are well distributed throughout the batter.
07 - Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
08 - Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
09 - While the cake bakes, heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until just simmering, being careful not to boil.
10 - In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until pale and thick.
11 - Gradually pour the hot milk into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
12 - Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3-5 minutes. Do not let it boil.
13 - Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
14 - Serve the apple cake warm or at room temperature, with the custard poured over each slice.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The contrast between tart crisp apples and tender spiced cake feels like home even if you've never been to Ireland
- The homemade custard is easier than you think and elevates this humble cake into something dinner party worthy
- It keeps beautifully for days and actually tastes better the next morning with coffee
02 -
- Granny Smith apples are essential here because softer apples will turn to mush during baking
- The custard can be made ahead and kept warm over very low heat but do not let it boil or it will curdle
03 -
- Cold butter is non negotiable here—warm or soft butter will not create the right texture
- When rubbing butter into flour use just your fingertips and work quickly to keep everything cold