Irish Apple Cake Recipe: A Traditional Recipe with Soul

Some recipes don’t just fill your belly — they feed your spirit. And Irish Apple Cake is one of those timeless treasures. Warm, spiced, and lovingly rustic, this cake has been at the heart of Irish baking for generations. It evokes the scent of an Irish farmhouse kitchen, where the air is sweet with cinnamon, and the apples are fresh from the orchard or the market stall down the lane.

Whether you’re looking for the Traditional Irish Apple Cake Recipe, an easy Irish apple cake, or you’ve seen versions from Odlums, Rachel Allen, or even BBC Good Food, this recipe brings it all together in a soulful, satisfying bake that’s perfect with a cup of tea — or a splash of cream.

And if you’ve already savored some of our other Irish comfort creations like the Corned Beef and Cabbage Spring Rolls, indulged in the Ultimate Irish Spice Bag, or explored quirky fusions like Irish Guacamole, then you’ll love the return to traditional roots in this warm and crumbly delight.

🍏 A Slice of Irish History

The best Irish apple cake recipe harks back to simpler times — when baking didn’t rely on precise equipment or exotic ingredients, but on instinct, flavor, and love. Often referred to as an apple tart’s rustic cousin, this cake blends baking basics with the comforting spice of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Each Irish household had its variation — some baked it deep and rich, others light and fluffy. Whether you’re channeling your inner Pioneer Woman Irish Apple Cake baker or want a homey, Irish apple cake all recipes crowd would love, this one hits the sweet spot.

🧁 Irish Apple Cake Recipe (Easy, Traditional Version)

Ingredients:

For the cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour (or Odlums cream flour)
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
½ cup butter (cold, diced — Irish butter preferred)
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup milk
3 medium-sized apples (preferably cooking apples like Bramley or Granny Smith), peeled and thinly sliced

Optional topping:

2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp extra flour
1 tbsp butter (cubed)

🥄 Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake tin.

Step 2: Make the Dry Mix

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Add the butter pieces and rub them into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Step 4: Add Sugar & Apples

Stir in the sugar and gently fold in the sliced apples, coating them evenly in the mixture.

Step 5: Add Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and milk. Add this to the flour-apple mixture and stir until just combined — do not overmix.

Step 6: Optional Crumble Topping

Mix brown sugar, extra flour, and butter with your fingers to create a rough crumb topping. Sprinkle over the batter.

Step 7: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean and the top is golden brown.

Step 8: Serve with Love

Serve warm with fresh cream, custard, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or enjoy cold with a strong Irish tea.

🌿 Why This is the Best Irish Apple Cake Recipe

This version combines the best of all worlds — it’s easy, accessible, rich in traditional Irish flavor, and flexible enough to be your new go-to for gatherings or quiet evenings. Whether you’re looking for a Rachel Allen-inspired Irish apple cake, or something close to a beloved Odlums apple cake recipe, this is your rustic, crowd-pleasing champion.

📝 Tips & Variations

Swap apples: Pears or even rhubarb can be delightful substitutions.
Add nuts: A handful of chopped walnuts or almonds brings extra texture.
For extra moisture: Add a spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter.

💬 Final Thoughts

Some desserts are trendy. Others are timeless. Irish Apple Cake is firmly in the latter category — warm, comforting, and rich with heritage. It’s a dish that tells a story, one bite at a time.

If you’ve been enjoying our full range of culinary journeys — from Corned Beef and Cabbage Spring Rolls to the spice-filled Ultimate Irish Spice Bag, and the playful Irish Guacamole — now is the perfect time to return to classic comfort with this traditional Irish apple cake recipe.