Apple Cake with Custard Sauce
This Apple Cake filled with juicy apples and warm spices is the perfect fall or winter dessert, drizzled with a creamy custard sauce.
This easy apple cake recipe is a favorite dessert we love to serve to guests. The cake is mildly spiced, with a layer of sliced tart apples, topped with a crumbly streusel. And it’s not complete without the sauce for apple cake: A serving of cream, or a luscious custard sauce. This recipe is similar to Irish Apple Cake with Cream Sauce.
Apple Cake with Custard Sauce
My friend Michelle shared this recipe with me years ago, and it’s my go-to dessert for fall and winter entertaining. You can decide how much custard you want to add to the top of the cake–a drizzle or several spoonfuls.
Why we love this apple cake
This cake is ultra delicious with a cup of tea or coffee, but it’s even better to serve for dessert for a dinner party. It’s impressive with the custard sauce drizzled over the cake.
You can make the dessert ahead, and reheat the custard before serving.
The consistency of the cake is super moist and juicy from the apples. But if you love “salted caramel” you may want to try our Salted Caramel Apple Cake recipe!
Easy ingredients for apple cake and custard
- Granny Smith apples
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Softened butter
- Salt
- Sugar
- Flour
- Eggs
For the custard:
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Eggs
- Light cream
- Vanilla
How do you make apple crumb cake?
- Prepare a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.
- Peel and slice apples; coat with the brown sugar and cinnamon by mixing together with a spoon or your hands, and placing in a 9×13 pan.
- Mix the next ingredients together (butter, sugar, flour, salt, eggs) to make a crumble. Place on top of the apple mixture.
- Bake!
Make the custard:
- To make the custard, in a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, salt, eggs, and cream.
- Stir constantly until smooth and thick.
- Stir in vanilla.
How do you serve?
If you’ve made the recipe ahead, reheat the custard. Spoon the warm sauce over individual servings of apple cake.
Tips and substitutions:
What kind of apples are the best? We love tart, so we use Granny Smith. But any apple will do, just make sure they are firm. You can also use Jazz Apples or Royal Gala or Braeburn. Use what you have locally, as long as they are fresh and crisp. You do not want to use apples that are mealy, mushy, or heavily bruised.
We’ve added Pumpkin Butter to the vanilla sauce for a pumpkin custard. Very festive and tasty for fall.
Years ago we hosted a beautiful dinner in our backyard for a group of bloggers.
Three of the guests came a little later (delayed flight) and one came after dinner, but I determined to move with style and grace, removing a place setting, welcoming the late guests, and embracing the moment.
What did we serve for dessert? This amazing apple cake with custard sauce. DELISH!
More apple cake recipes to try:
Cake Pan Apple Bars with frosting
Get the Recipe:
Apple Cake with Custard Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 2 eggs
For the custard:
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 egg yolks, beaten
- 2 cups light cream
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.
- Peel and slice apples; coat with the brown sugar and cinnamon by mixing together with a spoon or your hands, and placing in a 9×13 pan.
- Mix the next 5 ingredients together (butter, sugar, flour, salt, eggs) to make a crumble. Place on top of the apple mixture.
- Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
Make the custard:
- To make the custard, in a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, salt, eggs, and cream. Stir constantly until smooth and thick. Stir in 1 tsp. vanilla.
- Spoon the warm sauce over individual servings.
Notes
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
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What an elegant dessert! I love the fall flavors and can’t wait to eat this while curled up with a good book by the fire. I can also see this being super popular at a potluck or party!
I love how you provided the details of the menu for us!!
Had so much fun at your house, Sandy!! And I loved this cake so much!!
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Such a magical night! You were such a graceful and gracious hostess. :)
great post, and this recipe sounds awesome! I don’t often entertain large groups but I think I’ve learned to go with the flow, ask for help and try hard not to compare. :)
Great fall party menu and cake! Thanks for sharing, Sandy! :)
Love the cake and double love the custard! I ate custard all the time as a little kid but haven’t had it forever :( I’m not big on comparing, to me it feels like climbing a hill and never ever being able to reach the top, always looking at other people.
What a great message about comparing oneself Sandy. Really, I think we all do it one way or another and it’s such a great reminder to catch yourself!
This cake looks so warm and delicious…I’d love to have some!
I’m having a luncheon next week and I’m pretty sure that apple cake will be on the menu. Thanks for sharing! I love to entertain large and small groups. I used to get hung up on doing everything just perfect but I soon learned I couldn’t keep it up. I’ve learned to not worry about things so much and to go with the flow! And to recruit helpers.
Looks wonderful!
Best party ever. It was so wonderful being at your home, Sandy!
Your dinner table looks beautiful and the cake recipe sounds delicious!
Look at all of those party lights, and the FOOD! You have the best entertaining tips Sandy, always. Can’t wait to come back one day soon. Or maybe Portland? :) Beautiful cake, totally pinned.
This is such an incredible spread for a holiday dinner party, Sandy! Wow, I bet everyone was SO impressed and had such a great time. All these dishes sound so good and the cake is perfect!