Irish Apple Cake

Step 1

Set the oven to 350°F and wait for the indicator light or beep to signal it has finished heating, about 10 minutes.

Step 2

Lightly coat the inside of a 9-inch round cake pan with butter, then dust with 1 tablespoon flour, tapping out the excess.

Step 3

Place each apple on a cutting board and cut straight down from top to bottom around the core, making four thick slices per apple.

Step 4

Lay each apple slice flat and cut lengthwise into matchstick-thin pieces about 1/8-inch wide, creating roughly 20–24 slices total.

Step 5

In a large bowl, add 0.5 cup softened butter and 1.5 cups sugar, then beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until the mixture looks pale and fluffy.

Step 6

Crack 2 eggs into the bowl and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds until fully blended and no streaks of white remain.

Step 7

Add 2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined — the batter should look thick and uniform with no flour streaks.

Step 8

Gently stir the apple slices into the batter using a spatula until they are evenly distributed throughout.

Step 9

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula to create an even surface.

Step 10

Slide the pan into the preheated 350°F oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 11

Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes so it firms up slightly.

Step 12

Run a thin knife around the inside edge of the pan to loosen the cake, then invert it onto a serving plate or cooling rack.