Print

Irish Apple Cake Bars

Irish Apple Cake Bars - featured image
Print Recipe

These Irish Apple Cake Bars are a cozy, easy dessert featuring tart apples, cinnamon, and toasted walnuts. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any time you crave a nostalgic, comforting treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (200g)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (6g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (3g)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (5g)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (115g)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar (70g)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup whole milk (120ml)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)
  • 2 medium tart apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and chopped (about 200g)
  • 2/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (70g)
  • For the Topping (Optional):
  • 2 tablespoons coarse sugar (25g)
  • 2 tablespoons extra chopped walnuts (15g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (1g)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal. Lightly butter or spray the parchment.
  2. Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes until fragrant and golden. Set aside to cool.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
  4. In another bowl, whisk melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Let butter cool slightly before adding eggs.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Gently fold together with a spatula or wooden spoon just until combined. Do not over-mix.
  6. Fold in chopped apples and toasted walnuts. The batter will be thick.
  7. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle with coarse sugar, extra walnuts, and a dusting of cinnamon for the topping.
  8. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool completely in the pan on a rack, about 1 hour. Use parchment to lift out, then cut into 16 squares.
  10. Serve at room temperature, optionally dusted with extra cinnamon-sugar.

Notes

For best texture, use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp and toast your walnuts before adding. Let bars cool completely before slicing for neat squares. Easily adapt for gluten-free or dairy-free diets by using appropriate substitutes. Bars can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Irish apple cake bars, St. Patrick's Day dessert, apple bars, cinnamon walnut bars, easy apple cake, Irish dessert, brunch, snack, nutty apple bars

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/irish-apple-cake-bars-recipe-easy-st-patricks-day-dessert-with-cinnamon-and-walnuts/