Irish apple cake is a rustic, lightly spiced dessert packed with juicy apples and a soft, buttery crumb. This version skips the custard without sacrificing flavor. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and just as delicious.

A slice of Irish apple cake being removed from the rest of the cake.


 

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • Naturally Moist & Packed with Flavor – The apples release their natural sweetness and moisture as they bake, keeping the cake soft and tender. A hint of cinnamon and nutmeg enhances the apple flavor, making every bite warm and comforting.
  • Budget-Friendly – Since eggs are pricey right now, this recipe skips the egg-heavy custard sauce, keeping it simple and affordable.
  • No mixer required – This recipe is completely made by hand—just mix the dry ingredients, cut in the butter, fold in the apples, and add the wet ingredients. It comes together quickly and bakes beautifully, making it a perfect fuss-free dessert for any occasion.

If you love apple cakes, you must try Easy Apple Cake, Cinnamon Apple Loaf, and Apple Cinnamon Muffins. You also must try my Easy Homemade Apple Pie and Easy Apple Crisp.

An Irish apple cake on a black plate with a blue chiffon napkin.

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • all-purpose flour
  • baking powder & salt
  • ground cinnamon, nutmeg & ginger (or apple pie spice)
  • unsalted butter
  • granulated sugar
  • milk of choice
  • large eggs – just two!
  • vanilla extract
  • apples

How to make Irish apple cake:

(The full written and printable recipe is further below.)

A bowl of flour mixture for Irish apple cake.

Step #1) In a very large mixing bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

A bowl of chopped apple on top of the dry ingredients for Irish apple cake.

Step #2) Stir in the sugar and add the apples, gently tossing to coat. Set aside.

A large bowl of Irish apple cake batter.

Step #3) In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Irish apple cake batter in a springform pan ready to be baked.

Step #4) Spoon the batter into a 9″ springform pan and spread out evenly. Mix together the remaining sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top. Bake at 375F for 50-60 minutes.

🌟 Expert tips:

  • Use the Right Apples – Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady or Jonagold. They hold their shape and balance the cake’s sweetness without turning mushy.
  • Keep the Butter Cold – Just like when making biscuits or scones, cold butter creates a tender, crumbly texture. If your kitchen is warm, chill the butter cubes for 10 minutes before mixing.
  • Don’t Overmix the Batter – This cake has a thick, rustic batter. Stir gently until the ingredients are just combined.
  • Test for Doneness Without Overbaking – Since apples add moisture, the cake might seem soft in the center. Use a toothpick to test for doneness—it should come out with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.

How to serve:

  • With Tea or Coffee – The perfect afternoon treat!
  • Whipped Cream – While traditional Irish apple cake is often served with custard, a light and fluffy whipped cream is the perfect no-fuss alternative!
  • Spiked & Fancy – For a grown-up twist, add a splash of Irish cream or whiskey to the whipped cream before serving. It’s an easy way to elevate the flavors!
  • Topped with Ice Cream – A scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream pairs beautifully.
A slice of Irish apple cake on a pottery place with a copper handle fork.

Storage & freezing instructions:

Storing – Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If it’s been refrigerated, let it sit at room temp for 10-15 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Freezing – Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Warm up the whole cake in the oven at 325 F for 15 minutes or warm up individual slices in the microwave for 30 seconds before serving.

Recipe FAQs:

How do I keep the cake from getting too dense?

Avoid overmixing the batter, and make sure to use cold butter when cutting it into the flour. This helps keep the crumb light and tender.

Can I make this Irish apple cake ahead of time?

Definitely! Bake it a day in advance and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. If you like, warm it slightly in the oven or microwave for a fresh-from-the-oven feel.

Can I make this Irish apple cake in a different pan?

Yes, you make this cake in a tube pan or two loaf pans. Bake at the same temperature but adjust the time accordingly.

If you’ve tried this Irish Apple Cake Recipe or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

5 from 1 review

Irish Apple Cake

Yield: 10 servings
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Author: Lily Ernst
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Method: Bake
Irish apple cake is a rustic, lightly spiced dessert packed with juicy apples and a soft, buttery crumb. This version skips the custard without sacrificing flavor. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and just as delicious.
Print Leave a Review Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Cake

  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp apple pie spice, (or 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg & 1/4 tsp ginger)
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter , cold and diced into small pieces
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 4 cups apples, peeled, cored, and chopped, (about 3-4 med/large apples)
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping

  • 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375F and grease a 9" springform pan.
  • In a very large mixing bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
    3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour, 1 Tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp apple pie spice, 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter
  • Stir in the sugar and add the apples, gently tossing to coat. Set aside.
    1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, 4 cups apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Pour over the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. It may seem dry at first but keep mixing and it will come together.
    3/4 cup (180ml) milk, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Spoon the batter into a 9" springform pan and spread out evenly. Mix together the remaining sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top.
    2 Tbsp granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Calories: 438kcal, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 84mg, Sodium: 267mg, Potassium: 142mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 29g, Vitamin A: 673IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 115mg, Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @littlesweetbaker on Instagram and hashtag it #littlesweetbaker.

Recipe adapted from Sweet & Savory Meals