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Irish Apple Cake with Vanilla Pudding Sauce Recipe

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4 from 5 reviews

This classic Irish Apple Cake features a tender, spiced cake layered with tart Granny Smith apples and topped with a crunchy cinnamon oat streusel. Served with a creamy vanilla pudding sauce, it's a comforting and delicious dessert perfect for any occasion.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Cake Batter

  • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

Apple Layer

  • 1 pound Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored, thinly sliced

Streusel Topping

  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 6 Tablespoons salted butter, melted

Vanilla Pudding Sauce

  • 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding (do not use cook and serve)
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Optional

  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9-inch springform pan with baking spray and set it aside to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients for Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, stir together 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon until well combined to create the dry base for the cake.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream ½ cup salted butter (softened) and 1/2 cup granulated sugar for at least 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.
  6. Incorporate Heavy Cream: Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream until the batter is smooth and has a thick but spreadable consistency.
  7. Spread Batter in Pan: Evenly spread the prepared batter into the bottom of the greased springform pan.
  8. Layer Apples: Arrange the peeled, cored, and thinly sliced 1 pound of Granny Smith apples evenly over the cake batter.
  9. Prepare Streusel Topping: In a bowl, combine 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup rolled oats, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
  10. Add Butter to Streusel: Pour in 6 tablespoons melted salted butter and mix with a fork until large crumbles form and all dry ingredients are moistened.
  11. Top the Apples: Sprinkle and crumble the streusel topping evenly over the apples, making sure chunks are varied in size and covering the entire surface.
  12. Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
  13. Cool Cake: Remove from oven and place on a wire rack. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove the outer springform ring.
  14. Prepare Vanilla Pudding Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the 3.4 ounce box of instant vanilla pudding mix, 3 cups whole milk, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon for 2 minutes until smooth.
  15. Warm the Sauce: Microwave the mixture on high for 1 minute, stir, then microwave for an additional minute until warmed through.
  16. Serve: Optionally dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar before slicing. Serve each portion with the warm vanilla pudding sauce poured on top.

Notes

  • Measure flour using the spoon-and-level method for accuracy to avoid a dense cake.
  • Use Granny Smith apples for their tart flavor and firm texture which holds well in baking.
  • Do not substitute the instant vanilla pudding with cook-and-serve pudding as it will affect the sauce consistency.
  • The springform pan makes it easier to remove the cake without damage.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and cream with plant-based alternatives and use a non-dairy instant pudding mix if available.
  • Allow the cake to cool slightly before removing the ring to prevent breaking.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Irish

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/irish-apple-cake-with-vanilla-pudding-sauce-recipe/