Preheat your oven to 350°F / 177°C and grease an 8" round cake pan.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set it aside for now.

Cream the butter and sugars together well until they are fluffy. Then beat in the eggs, one at a time, along with the vanilla. Mix in the dry ingredients and milk intermittently. Make sure that it is completely mixed in, but be careful to not over-mix.

Spoon the thick batter into the pan and smooth it out, pressing it into the edges.

Peel your apples and cut them into 1/4" (0.64cm) slices. Then cut the slices again for a chopped appearance.

Scatter the apple pieces evenly on top of the cake batter. Use your hand to lightly press the apples slightly downwards into the batter.

Prepare the streusel topping in a medium bowl by combining the flour, brown sugar, a cinnamon. Then add the cubed butter and using your hand work it into the dry ingredients until it forms large crumbs. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples.

Put the cake in the oven and bake it about 50-60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the centre of the cake. When it comes out clean the cake is ready. Don't get tricked by accidentally poking a juicy apple.

Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes before removing. Serve warm or at room temperature. Dust the Irish apple cake with icing sugar immediately before serving, if desired.