Irish Apple Cake Vanilla (Printable Version)

Tender spiced apples baked in buttery cake, paired with rich warm vanilla custard.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

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.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla.
04 - Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Gently fold in the apple slices. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
06 - Mix 2 tablespoons sugar with ½ teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of the cake.
07 - Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
08 - While the cake cools, prepare the custard. In a saucepan, heat the milk until just simmering.
09 - In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
10 - Gradually whisk the hot milk into the yolk mixture, then return to the saucepan.
11 - Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens for about 5 minutes. Do not boil.
12 - Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Serve the cake warm or at room temperature with the warm vanilla custard poured over each slice.

# Tips from hearthlykitchen:

01 -
  • The warm custard transforms every bite into something that feels like a hug from someone who loves you
  • This cake manages to be homey enough for Tuesday dessert but impressive enough for company
  • The tart apples cut through the richness, keeping each slice from feeling too heavy
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients incorporate better and prevent a dense cake
  • Overmixing the batter once flour is added makes the cake tough
  • The custard can curdle if the heat gets too high, so keep it gentle
03 -
  • Cold custard can be rescued by whisking in a little warm milk
  • Let the cake cool completely before wrapping to prevent soggy spots

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