This Irish apple cake recipe is full of tender, tangy apples enveloped in a buttery batter that's not too sweet. A dusting of sugar and cinnamon on the top just before baking gives it a delicate sugary crust and the whiskey brown butter sauce takes it right over the top!
½ teaspoonsaltKosher - if using regular salt cut back to ¼ teaspoon
½teaspoonground ginger
¼teaspooncloves
¼teaspoonnutmeg, fresh grated
¼teaspooncinnamon
⅛teaspoonchipotleground
¾cupbutter, very cold
1cupsugar
2poundsapples, honeycrisp - granny smith - winesap or similar
2eggs
¾cupmilk
1 teaspoonvanilla
Topping
2teaspoonssugar
1teaspooncinnamon
Brown Butter Whiskey Sauce
⅓cup butter
1cupsugar
2tablespoonscorn syrup, light
¼cupwater
2egg yolks, , whisked until well blended
4tablespoonsWhiskey , I prefer a smoky Scotch for this but use your favorite
Instructions
Cake
Preheat the oven to 375F.
Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
Stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, hisk together flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Grate cold butter into flour mixture, mixing it up often to keep the shreds of butter from sticking together.
Stir from the bottom so that the butter is completely mixed with the flour mixture.
Stir in the 1 cup of sugar.
Place the flour and butter mixture in the freezer while you prepare the apples.
Peel and core apples then cut in chunks about the size of game dice.
Add apples to flour mixture and toss to evenly coat the apples and keep them from sticking together.
Whisk eggs, milk, and vanilla until blended.
Pour the egg mixture over the apple and flour mixture.
Mix well to incorporate all of the flour - you'll probably need to use your hands. You don't want to see any dry flour but don't over-mix..
Spoon into the prepared springform pan and pat down gently to even the top.
Topping
Combine the remaining sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the top.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few crumbs sticking to it.
Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
Run a knife between the cake and the springform pan and remove the sides - let cool completely.
It's nice to sprinkle with some Confectioner's sugar but not essential.
Whiskey Brown Butter Sauce
Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan until it is golden brown - watch carefully.
Remove from the heat and add the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Whisk together and then place back on the heat.
Bring to a boil, stirring to make sure the sugar is dissolved.
Whisk some of the hot mixture into the eggs, stirring constantly.
Add the eggs back into the hot mixture, whisking constantly.
Bring just to a boil and boil for 1 minute or so, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in the whiskey.
Pour into a Mason jar or other storage container until ready to use. Warm before pouring over cake.
Notes
Storage:Cover with plastic wrap and store at room temperature for 2 days. Freeze for longer storage.Tips:
There isn't much batter. This cake is mostly apples with a little cake holding them in shape. Don't worry that the batter isn't what you were expecting!
The cake is done when a toothpick poked in the center comes out with a few crumbs sticking to it and the top of the cake is firm. You can also poke an insta-read thermometer in the center. It will read 200F when done.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes then remove it and let it cool down the rest of the way. If you cut it too warm it will fall apart.