Every year on March 17, people across the country celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday originating in Ireland but celebrated worldwide. A day marked by themes of luck, leprechauns, and shamrocks, Saint Patrick is honored on this day through the festivities and family celebrations.
A common dessert served during these celebrations is Irish Apple Cake.
When I first found this recipe, I was delighted to find that the ingredients were simple household items that almost anyone can find in their pantry. After baking, my house was filled with the aroma of sweet, buttery apple cakes, luring anyone into the kitchen.
Consisting of a crunchy, buttery streusel topping, soft and slightly tart apples, and a warm filling, this cake will leave you satisfied on St. Patrick’s Day.
The original recipe can be found here, thanks to Bigger Bolder Baking.
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The ingredients for the streusel topping include sugar, butter, salt, and flour.
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The texture of the streusel topping should be like coarse breadcrumbs.
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The ingredients for the apple cake are as follows: butter, sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, apples, and eggs.
Yield: One 9-inch cake or twelve 2-inch cakes
Streusel Topping Ingredients:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
Irish Apple Cake Ingredients:
- ½ cup butter (softened, at room temperature)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F and butter a 9-inch pan, or twelve 2-inch tart molds instead.
Step 2:
To make the streusel topping, begin by combining the flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Using a fork, rub in the cold butter until it becomes a breadcrumb-like texture. Store in the fridge until needed.
Step 3:
Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Step 4:
Beat the eggs one at a time until combined, and add in the vanilla.
Step 5:
In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Step 6:
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, remembering to add the milk to the mixture. This will be a thicker batter consistency.
Step 7:
Once evenly combined, spread the batter evenly across the twelve tart/cake molds and flatten with a spatula. Add an even layer of apples on each one.
Step 8:
Pile the streusel topping onto the cakes and bake for about 50-60 minutes. (For a 9-inch pan, bake for 65-75 minutes instead.)
Step 9:
Allow the cakes to fully cool before removing them from the pans, then enjoy!