Irish Apple Crumble Cake ~ made with fresh apples, plenty of cinnamon, and a sweet crumble top. This rustic and moist cake is delightful drizzled with our creamy Apple Brandy Sauce!
First, you’ve probably figured out that I’m a bit obsessed with simple cakes, and especially those with a crumble top like our delicious Lemon Crumble Breakfast Cake. I think I like crumble tops better than icing; but that’s today, so we’ll have to see what tomorrow brings.
When researching Irish Apple Cake recipes, I found that most are extremely simple to make, and all are chocked full of fresh, tart apples. The crumble topping is not always included in the old recipes, but is more prevalent in recent years.
I’m a big fan of real, authentic Irish recipes and often think about the delicious food we enjoyed on our trips to the Emerald Isle. If you’ve thought about going to Ireland on holiday, I can’t say enough nice things about it, just do it! The country is absolutely breathtaking, the food is phenomenal and the people are gracious, helpful and perfectly wonderful to visit. The Irish don’t seem to be in such a big hurry all the time like we are. It probably helps that there are few things to do outside their little towns and villages, especially at night. But rest assured, there’s plenty of pubs with cold beer and Irish music to keep you entertained on your visit.
Check out our posts about ‘Traveling in Ireland‘ for tips and plenty of photos!
One thing that sets Irish Apple Cake recipes apart, is the creamy vanilla sauce that is often passed around the table with slices of cake.
While the cake is super moist and doesn’t really need the additional drizzle, I encourage you to go ahead and give it a go. I took a simple, creamy vanilla sauce and elevated it with vanilla beans and a good splash of apple brandy. Doesn’t that sound delicious? It’s the perfect topping and actually enhances the flavor of the cake!
I may have seen family members (who will remain nameless) actually lick their plate clean after devouring this cake and sauce. I think they liked it!
This cake never made it outside the family. They wouldn’t let it go and I bet you won’t either. Apple desserts are great any time of the year. Try it and you’ll see!
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Made with fresh apples, plenty of cinnamon, and a sweet crumble top, this rustic and moist cake is delightful drizzled with a creamy Apple Brandy Sauce!
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (plus 3 tablespoons divided)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- dash of nutmeg and ground cloves (optional)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 1/3 cup milk
- 3 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- powdered sugar for dusting if desired
- Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl. Add the flour, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Mix with a fork to combine. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Invert the bottom of an 8" springform pan (to make it easier to slide the cake off the bottom) then lock on the sides of the pan. Lightly grease and flour the bottom and sides of the pan. Line the bottom with a round of parchment paper and set aside.
Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and cinnamon. Set aside.
Peel, core and thinly slice the apples and place them in a large mixing bowl. Toss the apples with 3 tablespoons of flour and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar. Beat for several minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, just until the yolk disappears. And the vanilla bean paste and mix just until blended.
Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat on low until incorporated. Add about 1/2 of the milk and blend until smooth. Repeat adding 1/2 of the remaining flour, then all the remaining milk. Finally, blend in the last of the flour mixture and mix just until incorporated. Scrape up the batter from the bottom of the bowl give it one last spin. Fold in the apples.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle with the crumble topping (leaving some in large clumps). Place a large sheet of foil on the lower oven rack to catch any drips that may come from the cake. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean. Cover the cake with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking if needed to prevent over browning. Check the cake by inserting a toothpick in the center. It should come out with only crumbs attached, no wet batter.
Cool the cake on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes if serving warm, or cool completely before removing the sides. Carefully slide the cake onto a serving platter and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Top with a Apple Brandy Sauce if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.
Don’t forget the make the sauce too!
A delicious, creamy vanilla sauce with apple brandy
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 3 tablespoons apple brandy
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium-low just until warm.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar and salt until slightly thickened and lighter in color. Slowly pour half the warm milk into the yolk mixture while whisking continuously.
Pour the now warm yolk mixture back into the saucepan, whisking to combine. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of the spoon.
Place a medium mixing bowl over an ice bath, and strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve set over the bowl. Add the vanilla bean paste and stir to combine. Continuing stirring until the mixture cools. Add the apple brandy (or other liquor) and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Recipe adapted from April 2010 Epicurious.com
Here are a few more crumble desserts you might enjoy:
- Easy Peach Crumble ~ from Saving Room for Dessert
- Blueberry Crumble Bars ~ from Grandbaby Cakes
- Blood Orange Crumble Bars ~ from The View from Great Island
- Blueberry Crumble Muffins ~ from Country Cleaver
Do you plan to make a Irish dish or two for St. Patrick’s Day? Or maybe you are planning on a few green beers 🙂 If you’re looking for more inspiration – check out a few of our favorite SRFD Irish recipes!
- Colcannon
- Dublin Coddle
- Guinness Beef Stew Recipe
- Guinness Chocolate Cake
- White Chocolate Irish Cream
- Brown Irish Soda Bread
- Spinach Tarts – An Irish Recipe
Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend.
Tricia
I love anything apple. I made two apple pies for Thanksgiving, and they both were gobbled up. I wanted to ask if you have ever tried brown sugar in the topping, instead of white sugar. The reason I ask is because I won’t be able to make the apple Brandy sauce. Thanks for a yummy recipe! Cynthia S
Hi Cynthia. This cake will be delicious even without the Brandy Sauce so don’t worry about that. It’s delicious for sure, but not essential to the success of the recipe. I have not tried brown sugar for the topping. I’m not sure how that will turn out but I think it’s worth a try. No way it will ruin this cake. It may not be as crispy as brown sugar is made with molasses and is more moist than granulated sugar. I also love all things apple! With two pies for Thanksgiving your family must have been thrilled. Thank you for the great question and comment! Have a blessed holiday season 🙂
Hello:) this looks very yum! Just wondering if I could make in advance & freeze for a week or so? Don’t see any reason why not.. Just wondered if anyone had tried?
Hi Kay – I haven’t tried freezing the prepared cake. With so many apples it may turn out a little mushy and soggy after being frozen. The crisp crumble top is one of the best parts so I don’t recommend freezing. But if you try it, let us know if it turned out okay! It’s a delicious cake for sure 😉 Thanks for the great question.
I’m trying tomorrow – LYK how I go! Also wondering if you have any Thermomix conversions? NP if not, just thought I’d check:)
Thanks Kay – looking forward to your feedback!
This recipe is delicious! I made it in a 9” cake pan, baked exactly 50 minutes, cooled 30 minutes and it popped out of the pan easily. Moist cake full of apples with a yummy crunch topping. Just perfection. I have to pick up an 8” springform to try it in that along with all the other breakfast cakes. The pumpkin one is next!
Thank you so much Julie – you picked a great one! The springform pan makes these cakes so easy to bake and release. You’re the best for trying our recipes and especially for the comments. Just saying, you’re going to love the pumpkin one too 😉 XOXO
Hi Tricia
Do you have a kid-friendly version of sauce to go with this cake.
Hi Jackie! Great question – I would just leave the brandy out and the sauce will be great. It is wonderful as a plain vanilla sauce too. Thanks for reading and I hope you love the recipe!
oh my, the apple brandy sauce sounds divine! Now we are in the Irish mood!
It is absolutely delicious Anna! Hope you’ll get the chance to try it. Have a terrific week and thanks.
oh I do love a crumble cake and yours looks so good… love the really thick crumble topping too, it looks perfect. So summery too, makes me happy!
Thanks Dom – I love your marmalade cake! It’s so pretty. Enjoy your spring weather and have a terrific week.
Absolutely beautiful cake! I’m such a fan of apple cakes and yes, I’m a huge fan of that sauce! Sharing!
Thank you Jennifer! Hope you have a fantastic weekend 🙂
My family would devour this, I know! There is nothing as simple and delicious as an apple cake but the sauce really sets it apart from the rest.
I agree Susan – the family loves this stuff and I love how easy it is to make. Try the sauce for sure! Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!
All my favorite blogs are killing me with all the great desserts they are posting. Your apple cake looks so delicious and I love the extra sauce. Have a great weekend Tricia.
I know what you mean Gerlinde – there are some super talented bakers and cooks out there. I want to make everything. Hope you’ll try this cake and the sauce! A great dessert for any occasion. Have a terrific weekend.
This looks delicious! I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland and this post makes me want to go even more. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for visiting and commenting Kelsie. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Mmm the perfect flavor of apple! And it’s an Irish recipe too, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! I love this, thank you for sharing!
Thanks Erren – we just can’t get enough of those Irish recipes!
You can never go wrong with simple cakes with big flavor! And this fits the bill perfectly! This is a wonderful dessert for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or any holiday!
Thank you Lindsay. We’ll see this cake appear again soon on our table. The sauce is dreamy and it just sends this dessert to the moon. Thank you for stopping by!
This seriously looks so delicious! Love all those flavors and the crumb topping, yum!
Thanks Kim! Apple desserts are just the best. Have a terrific weekend!
Looks like a delicious way to wrap up a St Paddys meal – good shots of it
I think you are right Larry! Thank you – have a great weekend.
Yummmmmm! Apple pie (or any muffin that has a crumb topping) is my husbands favorite so this cake looks perfect for us!
This cake has so much apple flavor Liz – I bet your husband would love it. Be sure to make the sauce – so delicious 🙂
Simple *and* special, is what it is! Looks beautiful and the crumb topping is calling out to me. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever eating an apple cake. So much to try and savor. It’s snowing out here today so time to bake again…wish I had this lovely cake on my table right now. Enjoy the weekend!
Snow in spring – it’s just not right! Hope you don’t get too much of a mess but I bet the baking will be fun and delicious. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by!
Such an absolutely gorgeous cake! I love your styling and photos. The apple brandy sauce on top sounds perfect.
Thanks Tara – this cake would be great anytime of the year and the sauce is a must try for sure 🙂
A perfect St. Patty’s dessert! Oh, I remember how beautiful your photos were from your trip to Ireland. That adventure is still on our bucket list. 😉 Have a wonderful weekend, Tricia! blessings and hugs ~ tanna
Thank you Tanna – I know you will take the BEST photos on your trip to Ireland one day – you will love it! Have a fantastic weekend 🙂
There is nothing like a good apple cake to please everyone. It looks like the Irish know what they are doing! And so do you!
Thank you Abbe – who can say no to apple cake! Have a great weekend.
I love cakes like these..I don’t even need the sauce! Gorgeous Tricia!
Jacques..loves the sauce:)
This recipe can please both of you – one with sauce and one without Monique. Thanks so much – have a great weekend!
Ooooh, I can’t resist a crumble cake, this one is simply gorgeous ~ I’m getting into the Irish spirit for sure 🙂
Yeah! I know what you mean Sue – I love them too 🙂 Have a terrific weekend and thanks!
I knew you would be posting a few amazing Irish recipes this time of year and I can see why this cake did not make it outside the family. Love the crumb and the sauce Tricia, another masterpiece for sure.
Aww thanks Cheri! I may have a few more up my sleeve before St. Patrick’s Day arrives! Love that Irish food 🙂 Have a terrific weekend!
This would be so perfect for the Easter too, Tricia. We just had some plum crumble cake and I can’t wait to bake another one with that amazing sauce.
Wow Angie – a plum cake sounds terrific. You’re going to love this sauce! Better than icing 🙂 Have a great weekend and thanks!