Growing up as a proud Irish- American, the month of March has always been a time for me to celebrate my identity, my family history, and all things Irish. Whether it’s listening to The Cranberries, reading Oscar Wilde, or simply hearing my Irish grandmother’s charming accented voice, I lean into my roots more than ever. After visiting Ireland for the first time last spring, I learned about the culinary aspects of my culture beyond anything my relatives ever made me. Granted, the cuisine isn’t the most technical or visually appealing, but the flavors are extremely comforting and layered. One dish that has those complex flavors but is simple to make is Irish apple cake. The cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg provide a richness that is perfectly balanced with the slightly tangy apples, pleasing any crowd, especially Irish. Sláinte!

Ingredients

Streusel topping:
4 tablespoons salted butter (cold)
½ cup flour
⅓ cup granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Apple cake:
1 stick unsalted butter (room temperature)
½ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ginger
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon salt
¼ cup heavy cream
2 Granny Smith apples (peeled and thinly sliced)
Confectioners’ sugar for serving

Instructions
1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9-inch baking dish and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter and combine until the dry ingredients have the texture of coarse breadcrumbs and there are no chunks of butter left. Set aside in the fridge.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and eggs one at a time until fully combined.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, bakingpowder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet and fold with a rubber spatula until just combined. Then, add the heavy cream and combine.
5. Add the batter to the greased pan, evenly layer the apples on top, and cover with streusel topping.
6. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and let the cake cool slightly in the pan before removing and placing onto a rack. Let it cool completely and then dust with confectioners’ sugar. Enjoy!

Adapted from Food Network