Irish Apple Cake Recipe for Afternoon Tea

The Irish are nearly as well known for their afternoon tea as the English are, so it only makes sense that they have their own take on afternoon tea accompaniments. This Irish Apple Cake is a perfect example of that; it’s a much more rustic and authentically Irish-style cake than the delicate style of cakes often associated with afternoon tea.

This is a cake that comes out a little less sweet than most cake recipes. However, it has just the right amount of sweetness to counter the tartness of the Granny Smith apples. Aside from the tartness, the apples also add a burst of juiciness to this slightly dense cake. The texture resembles more of a moist pound cake than a light and decadent cake, making it a fun and unique dish to serve at your next tea party.

Afternoon Tea Pairings

Pair this with a bright salad such as our pea and prosciutto salad and a decadent tea sandwich to create a complete afternoon tea menu. Some of our favorite tea sandwiches — such as our devilish egg salad, a fancy grilled cheese, or a Monte Cristo tea sandwich — are perfect matches for this cake.

When pairing this Irish apple cake with tea, pretty much anything goes. A smooth chai, such as our Rainy Day sweet and spicy tea with its notes of cinnamon, is a great paring for this cake. If you are serving the cake as part of a larger menu and are looking for something more neutral, try our House Blend vanilla black tea.

Try serving this cake fresh from the oven. No need to wait for it to cool to serve it because there’s no frosting; just a light dusting of powdered sugar or a nice custard is all that’s needed. While it will result in a sweeter dish, it also goes well with a store bought caramel sauce.