Apple Oatmeal Cake

Andrea Potischman | Mar 27, 2024

This simple cake is one the Irish have been enjoying for generations. Perhaps the best part is it’s made with just a few simple pantry ingredients, including whole grain oats, juicy apples, sweet butter, sugar, and flour, which are combined to create a lovely, moist, fruit-forward cake that makes a wonderful alternative to the American apple pie.

Traditionally, apple oatmeal cake, known also called Irish apple cake, was enjoyed during the cool autumn months when apples are in peak season. This style of cake became an easy and popular way to use up surplus apples, which are abundant in Ireland during the autumn. This rustic cake is a popular dessert to serve at family gatherings and celebrations and a go-to on cold and rainy days. Forgiving in preparation and flexible in preparation allowing you to customize the flavor and sweetness to suit your tastes.

Apples For Baking

When it comes to making a killer apple cake such as this, the type of apple you use can have a big impact on the final result. You’ll want to choose a flavorful apple, firm, and holds its shape well when cooked.

Some of the best apple varieties for apple cakes include SugarBee, Bramley, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn. Bramley apples are a traditional choice for this recipe (or other apple sweets and desserts) as they have a tart flavor that works well with the sweetness of the cake. Granny Smith apples are also a good option as they are tart and firm, and they hold up well during baking.

My go-to, when in season, is SugarBee apples which are crisp, mildly sweet, slightly tart juicy apples that hold up well when baked. Ultimately, the best apple variety for your oatmeal apple cake will depend on your personal preference and what’s seasonably available in your area.

Considered a beloved and timeless cake that has stood the test of time, apple oatmeal cake is a comforting and satisfying sweet that will leave you feeling warm and cozy inside, whether it’s for a holiday dessert or breakfast the day after.

Apple Oatmeal Cake

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9 ratings

Servings:

6

Prep:

20 minutes

Cook:

50 minutes

Total:

1 hour, 10 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Dash of salt
• 2 apples, peeled and thinly sliced (I use SugarBee apples)

For the Oatmeal Streusel Topping:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup extra wide old-fashioned oats
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a 6-inch springform pan and set aside.
2. For the streusel topping: In a medium mixing bowl add the flour, oats, butter, and both sugars. Using your hands, blend the bits of butter into the flour, sugar, and oats until the butter is incorporated and the mixture has a coarse crumbly texture.
3. For the cake: In the bowl of a kitchen mixer, such as a KitchenAid, fitted with a paddle attachment, add the butter and sugar and blend until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides as needed.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Alternate the dry ingredients into the butter/sugar mixture, with the milk. Spoon the batter into your prepared baking pan, and flatten the top as best as possible. Place the apples on top of the batter in an even layer. Scatter the strudel topping on top.
5. Place the pan on a baking sheet and in the oven. Bake for about 45-50 minutes until the top is lightly browned and a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan slightly before removing. Serve warm or cold, for breakfast or dessert.