The Irish recipe that I will share with you is Cast Iron Irish Apple Cake! We turn all our attention to all things Irish near St. Patrick’s day. Especially at my house, my husband is half Irish. His dad, being full blooded Irish, had actually kissed the Blarney stone. My husband was so proud of his ancestry that when we first started dating he asked me what I was! I, of course, looked straight at him with a question mark all over my face and said I was American, why, what are you? Needless to say, it was a memorable moment that we still laugh about over 40 years later!
This delicious Irish Apple Cake recipe is an easy traditional dessert in Ireland. I was looking for something traditional yet simple and tasty that I would have all the ingredients needed to whip this cake up for our Wine and Dine Show. It is a tasty dessert or snack cake everyone will love, including the cook.
Irish Apple Cake: A Bit of History
The original Irish apple cakes were steamed in pots beside an open fire. This, of course, was long before ovens were commonplace. The most common apple that was used was the smaller version of a crab apple, which was very abundant in Ireland. A little research brought out that apples were widely used and very plentiful.
I love and appreciate many old traditions and antiques but I also loved my indoor oven with temperature control at the push of a button. I am quite sure the Irish feel the same way but they still love their apples. Therefore, this Apple Cake recipe and variations of it are still popular today.
Cast Iron Irish Apple Cake: Iron, Tin, or Glass?
I love my cast iron and was very excited to find this recipe. I often cook in cast iron, as did my mom and her mom before her. Cast iron is a better conductor of heat, can be used on an open campfire, stovetop, and in the oven. Proven itself over the years as very versatile. I have only baked this cake in cast iron because it gives a beautiful crispy edge to the cake, you gotta love that. Another plus is that it keeps it warm longer and I love to serve it right from the cast iron, it is a lovely presentation. I also imagine that it has to be closer to the original way that this apple cake was made. Therefore, having said all that, I would think that this Irish apple cake would taste delicious no matter what you baked it in. My second choice would be glass and last a tin pan.
Irish Apple Cake: Ingredient List
This Irish Apple Cake has simple flavors and just a hint of spice! Listed are the ingredients. Any apple will do, I have tried several, one that is firm and sweet I like the best. As you can see all ingredients that are likely right in your pantry now and so open it, turn your oven on to 350° F and let’s start gathering ingredients:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick) (Please use the real stuff!)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- medium apple, sliced thinly (about 1 cup)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- dash of ground cloves and a dash of cinnamon
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350° F and grab your 10″ cast iron skillet. If you have parchment paper it works great to line it, if not just butter it generously and set it aside.
Grab your favorite mixing bowl and add the flour and baking powder (powder not soda). Cut the butter into the flour mixture. I’m a messy hands on gal but use whatever method makes you smile. Work it till it resembles coarse crumbs. Set that aside. Mix up the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg then mix this into the flour and butter crumbles. Make a well and set it aside.
Now we are ready for the wet ingredients. Beat the egg, milk, and vanilla. Once this is whisked up nicely, it is time to gently pour it into the well you made in the dry ingredients. Mix gently till it is soft dough ball forms. Mix thoroughly but not too much or it will lose its tender texture.
Let’s put it together
Now, grab the pan you prepared and spoon and press your dough into it. Whether you chose cast iron, parchment lined, or not, you are close to putting this delightful creation into the oven. Grab your apple, peel, slice thin, and arrange over the dough. Combine that final tablespoon of sugar, a dash of ground cloves, and a (large) dash of cinnamon. Sprinkle this yumminess over the top!
Place the skillet into your preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Test with a toothpick inserted in the middle till it comes out clean. If you desire a crisp up the apple topping you can switch the oven to broil. KEEP a carefull eye on it because if you are using the parchment paper it can easily burn!!! The cake can easily scorch also so just a few seconds and it will turn the top into an absolutely irritable delight. I have found it is worth the risk!!!
It is best if you allow the cake to slightly cool before slicing it into wedges. Dust the top with powder sugar to add that final over the top touch, necessary is serving for a special occasion or of course company. LOL
The Irish Apple Cake is delightful with whipped cream or ice cream!!! I am so ready to make another one just writing this article. I hope you and your family add this to your regular dessert or snack list, I know I will.
Additional Notes:
The apple that I prefer is the honey crisp. I have used a large and that is not too many apples for my family. I prefer to peel but it is not necessary. Make sure you slice it thin enough so that it is done with the cake, too thick and they will still be crunchy.
Another tip that I like is to prepare the apples at the beginning when I prepare the cast iron skillet. I premix the apple slices with the sugar, cloves, and cinnamon but reserve just a bit of it. I let that marinate while mixing the rest of the dough. Then when I place the apples on the top I sprinkle the reserved sugar mixture on top (then I lick my fingers if no one is watching).
I have found that this recipe is so easy that it can be mixed up before the apples turn brown. If you have a tendency to get interrupted I would put them in lemon water. When you are ready for them that is when I would drain and season them.
I chose this because I wanted to try a cake in my favorite kind of pan, cast iron. Please join me in preparing this delicious Irish cake for the Wine and Dine show.
Wine and Dine Show
As I stated at the beginning I prepared this with my fine wine of the month club on our Wine and Dine Wednesday show. There are other friends preparing dishes as well. If you are Irish and/or love the Irish this one is for you. So much fun with our host, Sheila, introducing each cook and including interesting facts about St. Patrick. Two appetizers, Stacy with Potato Skin Bites and Darlena with Irish Pub Nachos. Preparing the main dish is Char, Dublin Coddle and I am preparing the dessert in a cast-iron skillet, Irish Apple Cake. We pair every dish with a fine wine from our wine of the month club.
Conclusion
I am personally inviting you to join our fine wine of the month club. It is a wine discovery club that is above the rest. Whether you are a connoisseur of fine wine or just beginning your journey into the wonderful world of fine wines, this club is for you.
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