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A close-up shot of a small glass bowl over the white marble cooktop, where confectioners' sugar, cinnamon, and milk are whisked together into a smooth glaze. The glaze is being drizzled over the cooled Apple Streusel Cake for a finishing touch.

Irish Apple Cake Recipe

This Irish Apple cake is a cozy dessert with soft cinnamon-spiced cake, tender apples, and a buttery oat crumble topping. Finished with a sweet cinnamon glaze, it’s pure comfort in every bite!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Cooling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 494 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Fork or pastry cutter
  • Electric mixer or hand whisk
  • 9-inch round cake pan
  • Cooking spray
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Knife & cutting board
  • Wire rack
  • Small whisk or spoon

Ingredients
  

Streusel:

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cubed

Cake:

  • cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons whole milk
  • 2 large Granny Smith apples peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices

Cinnamon Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons whole milk

Instructions
 

  • Make the streusel: Mix flour, sugar, oats, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly, then chill.
    A close-up shot of a glass mixing bowl over the white marble cooktop, filled with flour, sugar, oats, salt, and cinnamon. Cubed butter is being cut into the mixture with a pastry cutter, creating a crumbly streusel texture.
  • Prepare the cake batter: Beat butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
    A close-up shot of a stand mixer bowl over the white marble cooktop, creaming together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. A hand mixer is partially visible, blending the ingredients smoothly.
  • Mix dry ingredients: Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add to the wet mixture, then mix in milk.
    A close-up shot of a glass bowl over the white marble cooktop with flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt being whisked together. The dry ingredients are well combined and ready to be added to the batter.
  • Assemble the cake: Spread batter into a greased 9-inch round pan. Layer apple slices on top.
    A close-up shot of a greased 9-inch round cake pan over the white marble cooktop, with cake batter spread evenly inside. Fresh Granny Smith apple slices are being carefully layered on top.
  • Add streusel topping: Evenly sprinkle the streusel over the apples.
    A close-up shot of the cake pan over the white marble cooktop, where the chilled streusel topping is being sprinkled generously over the layered apples, creating an even coating.
  • Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40-50 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
    A close-up shot of the golden-brown Apple Streusel Cake fresh out of the oven, sitting on the white marble cooktop. The streusel topping is crisp and slightly caramelized. A toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Make and drizzle glaze: Whisk confectioners’ sugar, cinnamon, and milk until smooth, then drizzle over the cake before serving.
    A close-up shot of a small glass bowl over the white marble cooktop, where confectioners' sugar, cinnamon, and milk are whisked together into a smooth glaze. The glaze is being drizzled over the cooled Apple Streusel Cake for a finishing touch.