We’re thrilled to feature a delightful new cake recipe from our talented contributor, Tessa Huff, today. Prepare to be inspired!

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Embrace Autumn Flavors with a Unique Apple & Goat Cheese Cake

The air is crisp, leaves are beginning their spectacular transformation into fiery hues, and for many of us, our favorite cozy boots have emerged from the back of the closet. Yes, it’s official – fall has arrived! This enchanting season brings with it a special kind of magic, a gravitational pull towards comforting aromas and the warmth of a bustling kitchen. As pumpkin spice lattes make their annual comeback and visions of apple pies, pear tarts, and pumpkin-infused everything dance in our heads, the fall baking season truly kicks into high gear. There’s nothing quite like snuggling up under a soft blanket with a delicious treat after a long day of apple picking or enjoying a spirited football game. Who isn’t excited for these cherished autumn moments?

Despite the occasional rainy day, fall unequivocally holds the top spot as my favorite season. Living in a place where you can witness the dramatic shift of nature firsthand, from the lush greens of summer to the vibrant golds, reds, and oranges of autumn, is a true gift. The appeal is undeniable: the vivid, almost incandescent colors of the foliage, the comforting embrace of chunky scarves and knits, and the invigorating crispness of early mornings. What’s not to adore? The cooler temperatures instinctively draw us back into our kitchens, finally making us eager to turn on the oven after a long, warm summer. It’s the perfect time for baking, a season to celebrate and utilize the finest produce and warming spices that autumn generously offers. So, let’s embark on a culinary journey to create something truly special!

A Fresh Twist on Fall: The Apple & Goat Cheese Cake

Before we fully immerse ourselves in the delightful world of warm, gooey, and overtly spiced fall treats, let’s pause to appreciate a cake that offers a wonderfully light and fresh perspective: our Apple & Goat Cheese Cake. This isn’t your typical heavy, caramel-drenched apple dessert. Instead, it presents a sophisticated balance of flavors and textures that will surprise and delight your palate. The cake itself is incredibly moist, thanks to the generous inclusion of sour cream, and boasts a subtle, aromatic warmth from a dash of cardamom, a spice often overlooked but incredibly complementary to apples.

But the true star that elevates this creation is its creamy, bright goat cheese frosting. “Goat cheese?” you might ask, perhaps with a touch of skepticism. Allow us to quell any doubts! Imagine a refreshing, tangier, and utterly mouth-watering alternative to traditional cream cheese frosting. Goat cheese brings a delightful piquancy and a silken texture that cuts through the sweetness of the cake and caramel, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors. It’s seriously good stuff, offering an unexpected yet incredibly welcome layer of complexity that will leave a lasting impression.

To crown this autumnal masterpiece, a rich, cinnamon-infused caramel sauce is artfully drizzled and dripped over the top. Because, let’s be honest, what’s fall without a touch of decadent caramel? The subtle hint of cinnamon within the caramel perfectly bridges the spice in the cake and the richness of the glaze. For those who adore the irresistible combination of sweet and savory – and let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good salted caramel sauce? – a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt provides that extra punch, enhancing every single flavor note and making each bite an experience to savor. This cake is not just a dessert; it’s an invitation to experience fall in a whole new, delicious way.

Apple & Goat Cheese Cake: The Recipe

Crafted by the talented Tessa Huff, this recipe yields a stunning 3-layer 6-inch cake, perfectly sized to serve 8 to 10 guests. It’s an ideal showstopper for your next autumn gathering or a comforting treat for a quiet evening at home.

For the Apple Sour Cream Cake:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cardamom (optional, but highly recommended for its warm, subtle notes)
1/2 cup grapeseed or canola oil (for a light, neutral base)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar (adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor)
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream (the secret to exceptional moisture and tenderness)
1 cup finely diced apples (peeled; choose a firm, tart-sweet variety like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best texture and flavor)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare three 6-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring them thoroughly to ensure easy release. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cardamom. Sifting helps to aerate the dry ingredients and prevent lumps, ensuring a uniformly light cake. Set this dry mixture aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the grapeseed or canola oil with both granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and well combined, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
Gently fold in the sour cream until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
With your mixer on its lowest speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two batches. Mix until just combined, stopping as soon as no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake, so mix gently.
Finally, fold in the finely diced apples using a spatula. Distribute the apples evenly throughout the batter.
Divide the cake batter evenly among your three prepared 6-inch pans. The batter will be quite thick, so use an offset spatula to carefully smooth out the tops in each pan for even baking.
Bake for 20-24 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Baking times can vary, so keep an eye on them!
Once baked, allow the cakes to cool in their pans on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes before inverting them onto the rack to cool completely. This prevents them from sticking and helps set their structure.

Note: The batter for this cake is intentionally thick. Take a moment to gently spread it out evenly in the cake pans before baking to ensure your layers rise flat and bake perfectly.

For the Goat Cheese Frosting:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3 ounces fresh goat cheese, softened (ensure it’s fresh chèvre, not aged)
2 1/2 to 3 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted (adjust to your desired sweetness and consistency)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sour cream or milk (to adjust consistency if needed)

Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed until it’s light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This aerates the butter, contributing to a light frosting. Add the softened goat cheese and mix until completely combined and smooth, scraping down the bowl as necessary. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the sifted confectioner’s sugar, one cup at a time, until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract. If the frosting is too thick, add the sour cream or milk one tablespoon at a time until your desired smooth, spreadable consistency is reached. Taste and adjust the amount of sugar if you prefer a sweeter or less sweet frosting.

For the Cinnamon Caramel Sauce:

1 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon light corn syrup (helps prevent crystallization)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Pinch of salt (essential for balancing sweetness)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a small saucepan, gently bring the heavy cream to a simmer over medium heat. Be careful not to boil it vigorously.
Once simmering, remove the cream from the heat. Add the cinnamon stick and the ground cinnamon. Transfer this mixture to a heat-safe container, cover it, and allow the cinnamon to steep in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This infuses the cream with a rich, natural cinnamon flavor.
After steeping, remove and discard the cinnamon stick. Your cream is now beautifully flavored, and you’re ready to proceed with making the caramel.
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, and light corn syrup. Bring this mixture to a boil over high heat.
Continue to cook the sugar solution without stirring. It’s crucial not to stir, as this can encourage crystallization. Instead, you can gently swirl the pan occasionally to ensure even heating. Watch carefully as the sugar cooks until it reaches a beautiful medium amber color. This usually takes about 8-12 minutes.
Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully (and slowly, as the mixture will bubble up) whisk in the cinnamon-infused cream. Be very cautious during this step, as the hot caramel will steam vigorously.
Stir in the unsalted butter until it is fully melted and combined, creating a smooth, glossy sauce.
Finally, stir in the pinch of salt and the vanilla extract.
Transfer the finished caramel sauce to a heat-safe container and allow it to cool to your desired thickness. As it cools, it will thicken considerably.

Note: Any leftover cinnamon caramel sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Gently reheat in a microwave or a small saucepan over low heat before using again.

For the Assembly:

Once your cake layers have completely cooled, use a serrated knife to trim and level them if necessary, creating flat surfaces for easy stacking. Place your first cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the luscious goat cheese frosting evenly over the layer. Repeat this process with the next two cake layers. Use the remaining frosting to give the outside of the cake a beautiful, rustic finish – perfectly imperfect swirls and swoops are charming for a homemade feel. Once your cinnamon caramel sauce has cooled sufficiently to a pourable yet thick consistency, artfully drizzle it over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides for an appealing visual. For that extra gourmet touch, sprinkle with flaky sea salt just before serving, if desired. This cake truly shines with its unique blend of sweet, tangy, and spiced flavors, making it an unforgettable fall dessert.

This Apple & Goat Cheese Cake is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of autumn’s bounty and the joy of creative baking. The harmonious blend of moist apple cake, tangy goat cheese frosting, and rich cinnamon caramel creates a flavor profile that is both comforting and refreshingly unique. It’s the perfect dessert to share with loved ones, bringing a touch of gourmet sophistication to your fall table. We encourage you to try this recipe and experience the delightful contrast of textures and tastes for yourself. Happy baking!

Apple Goat Cheese Cake