Spiced Apple Carrot Cake with Goat Cheese Frosting

4 Reviews
ADD YOUR REVIEW
Leo Gong
Yield
Makes 10 servings
By Rachel Dornhelm, Oakland, California
October 2007
RECIPE BY Sunset

Use goat cheese as a gourmet substitution for cream cheese in a carrot cake frosting. The sweetened cheese adds an amazing depth of flavor and complements the richness of the cake.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups packed coarsely grated carrots (about 3 medium)
  • 1 1/2 cups packed coarsely grated tart apples, such as Granny Smith (about 2 medium)
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, plus more for garnish
  • 10 ounce fresh, mild chèvre (goat cheese), at room temperature
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Nutritional Information

  • Calories 830
  • Caloriesfromfat 54%
  • Protein 15g
  • Fat 50g
  • Satfat 15g
  • Carbohydrate 85g
  • Fiber 3.1g
  • Sodium 628mg
  • Cholesterol 150mg

How to Make It

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease three 9-in. round cake pans and set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, spices, cocoa, pepper, and salt. Whisk to combine, then stir in oil and eggs. Stir in carrots, apples, and 1 cup walnuts.

Step 2

Divide batter among pans and bake until cakes pull away from pan sides and a cake tester inserted in each center comes out clean, 25 minutes. Transfer cakes to cooling racks and let cool 10 minutes. Turn out onto racks and let cool completely.

Step 3

Beat goat cheese, cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until combined.

Step 4

Once cakes are cool, arrange first layer on a large plate or platter. Spread some frosting over it, then top with second layer. Frost second layer and top with the third. Generously frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting. Chill cake at least 1 hour. Before serving, press walnuts lightly into sides of cake.

Step 5

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

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Ratings & Reviews

Tiffany's epiphany

tandersen1109
January 21, 2016
Hands down, better than regular carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, which is already delicious. This is an amped up version, I will NEVER make regular carrot cake again.  I can't wait until I have a reason to make this cake again.

COLauren's Review

COLauren
November 05, 2011
At least one person asks for the recipe every time I make this cake

Ladyj217's Review

Ladyj217
October 19, 2009
I made this last year for Thanksgiving and it was a big hit. Everyone loved the tang of the goat cheese frosting. It was a nice compliment to the standard pumpkin desserts.

Patiji's Review

Patiji
November 12, 2008
I knew this would be great when I read the ingredient list which included cocoa powder and black pepper, and I was right. The spice blend was perfect. The cake was moist. Toasting the walnuts brought out more of their flavor. And adding goat cheese in the frosting gave it a nice tang. Easy to make.