Irish Apple Cake Custard (Printable)
Tender spiced apples baked in moist cake, paired with warm vanilla custard sauce for a comforting dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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
# How To Make It:
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 (about 5 minutes). Do not boil.
12 - Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
13 - Serve the cake warm or at room temperature with the warm vanilla custard poured over each slice.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The contrast between the tender spiced cake and that silky warm custard is absolutely magical
- It comes together faster than youd expect but tastes like something that simmered all day
- Something about this combination just makes people slow down and savor every bite
02 -
- The custard can go from perfect to scrambled eggs in seconds, so keep the heat medium-low and stir constantly
- Room temperature ingredients mix better and prevent the batter from separating or curdling
03 -
- Slice your apples thinly and evenly so they cook through properly in the cake
- Let the cake cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes—any less and it might fall apart, any more and it sticks