Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce

why make this recipe

Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce is warm, simple, and full of apple flavor. It uses common ingredients and comes together without fuss. Try this cake when you want a cozy dessert that feels like home. For a similar fruit cake idea, see this apple and raisin cake recipe that pairs well with tea.

introduction

This Irish Apple Cake uses diced apples and a little cinnamon for a soft, moist cake. The custard sauce adds cream and richness. You can make it for family dinners, small parties, or quiet nights at home.

how to make Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a round cake pan.
2. Peel and dice 2 cups of apples. If you use raisins, rinse and drain them.

Batter:

1. In a bowl, mix 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
2. In another bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 2/3 cup granulated sugar until light.
3. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, then 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix well.
4. Add half the dry mix and 1/4 cup milk, stir, then add the rest of the dry mix and the remaining 1/4 cup milk. Fold in the diced apples and 1/2 cup raisins if using. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and mix gently.

Baking:

1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
2. Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and the top is golden.
3. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then remove and cool on a rack.

Custard Sauce:

1. Warm 1 cup milk in a small saucepan until it is hot but not boiling.
2. In a bowl, whisk 2 egg yolks with 2 tablespoons sugar until pale.
3. Slowly pour the hot milk into the yolks while whisking to temper.
4. Return the mix to the saucepan and cook gently, stirring, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the spoon. Do not boil. Remove from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla if you like.

Serving:

1. Slice the cake and pour or spoon warm custard sauce over each piece.
2. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients :

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (Can substitute with whole wheat or gluten-free blends.)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (Can substitute with baking soda + an acid.)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (Works with baking powder for fluffiness.)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (Enhances the flavors.)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (Use dairy-free butter if necessary.)
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar (Coconut sugar or honey can be used as substitutes.)
• 2 large eggs (Flax eggs or applesauce can replace for a vegan option.)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Use vanilla bean paste for more flavor.)
• 1/2 cup milk (Whole, almond, or buttermilk can be used.)
• 2 cups peeled and diced apples (e.g., Granny Smith) (Can mix with pears or use other apples.)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (Nutmeg or allspice can be substituted.)
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional) (Can swap for chopped nuts or leave them out.)

Directions :

Preparation

• Gather and measure all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a cake pan.

Baking

• Mix dry and wet ingredients as shown. Fold in apples and raisins. Bake 40–50 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.

Serving

• Make the custard sauce while the cake cools. Serve slices with warm custard spooned on top.

how to serve Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce

Serve warm slices with a generous spoon of custard sauce. You can also dust the cake with a little powdered sugar. For a colder option, chill the cake and serve with cold custard or whipped cream.

how to store Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce

• At room temperature: Keep covered for up to 2 days.
• In the fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep custard sauce in a separate container and rewarm gently before serving.
• Freezing: Wrap the cooled cake tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and warm before serving.

tips to make Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for good texture and balance.
• Do not overmix the batter; fold gently to keep the cake tender.
• If your apples are very juicy, toss them in a little flour before adding to the batter.
• Test cake doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center.
• Warm the custard slowly and stir constantly to avoid curdling.

variation (if any)

• Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts instead of raisins for crunch.
• Stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon zest for brightness.
• Make the cake vegan: use dairy-free butter, plant milk, and two flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water).
• Turn the custard into a creamier sauce by adding a tablespoon of butter at the end.

FAQs

Q: Can I use other apples?
A: Yes. Use firm apples like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or a mix. Softer apples can make the cake wetter.

Q: Can I skip the raisins?
A: Yes. You can leave them out or swap with chopped nuts or dried cranberries.

Q: How do I fix a runny custard?
A: Cook it a bit longer on low heat while stirring. It will thicken as it cools. Do not boil.

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes. Use a gluten-free all-purpose blend and check baking times.

Q: Can I bake this in a loaf pan?
A: Yes. Baking time may change. Check for doneness and add 10–15 minutes if needed.

Irish Apple Cake with Custard Sauce

• Author: arianarecipes
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 65 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Irish
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

A warm, simple cake bursting with apple flavor, complemented by a rich custard sauce – perfect for cozy dessert occasions.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups peeled and diced apples
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a round cake pan.
2. Peel and dice 2 cups of apples.
3. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. In another bowl, beat the butter with sugar until light. Add the eggs one at a time and vanilla, mixing well.
5. Add half of the dry mix and 1/4 cup milk, stir, then add the rest of the dry mix and remaining milk. Fold in the apples and raisins, and sprinkle with cinnamon.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-50 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes then transfer to a rack.
8. Make the custard sauce by warming the milk, whisking the egg yolks and sugar, tempering with hot milk, then cooking until thickened.
9. Serve slices of cake with warm custard sauce poured over.

---

Notes

For variations, consider adding nuts or lemon zest. Ensure to adjust cooking times if using a loaf pan.

---

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 60mg