best unusual cake recipes
Looking for a cake that’s truly out of the ordinary? Try the best unusual cake recipes right here! This Caramel Apple Spice Cake with Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting is a unique dessert that combines the warm flavors of spiced apples with the richness of caramel. Topped with a decadent bourbon-infused cream cheese frosting, this cake is perfect for fall gatherings or whenever you want to impress with something a little different and delicious.
Caramel Apple Spice Cake with Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting
The Caramel Apple Spice Cake with Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting is one of the best unusual cake recipes out there. Combining the cozy flavors of spiced apples and caramel with a bold bourbon cream cheese frosting, this dessert is both flavorful and indulgent. Perfect for fall or special occasions, it’s sure to become a favorite for those who love unique cakes.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 250g all-purpose flour
- 200g granulated sugar
- 100g brown sugar
- 150g unsalted butter, softened
- 10g baking powder
- 5g baking soda
- 5g salt
- 5g ground cinnamon
- 2g ground nutmeg
- 1g ground cardamom
- 3 large eggs (approximately 150g)
- 10g vanilla extract
- 150ml milk
- 300g Granny Smith apples, peeled and grated
- 50g chopped pecans
For the caramel sauce:
- 100g granulated sugar
- 30ml water
- 60ml heavy cream
- 15g unsalted butter
- Pinch of salt
For the bourbon cream cheese frosting:
- 200g cream cheese, room temperature
- 100g unsalted butter, softened
- 200g powdered sugar
- 30ml bourbon whiskey
- 5g vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 23cm (9-inch) cake pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in the grated apples and chopped pecans.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, prepare the caramel sauce. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and turns amber in color. Remove from heat and carefully stir in cream, butter, and salt. Set aside to cool.
- For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in bourbon and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Once the cake has cooled, spread the bourbon cream cheese frosting over the top and sides. Drizzle with the caramel sauce before serving.
Notes
Here are some creative variations on the Caramel Apple Spice Cake with Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Pear and Ginger Spice Cake with Honey Mascarpone Frosting
- Replace apples with ripe pears
- Add 30g of finely chopped crystallized ginger to the batter
- Swap bourbon cream cheese frosting for honey-flavored mascarpone
- Chai Tea Spice Cake with Cardamom Glaze
- Infuse the milk with chai tea before adding to the batter
- Increase cardamom to 3g and add 2g of ground cloves
- Replace frosting with a simple cardamom-spiced glaze
- Maple Pecan Spice Cake with Brown Butter Frosting
- Substitute 100g of the granulated sugar with maple syrup
- Increase pecans to 100g and toast them before adding
- Use brown butter in the frosting instead of regular butter
- Lavender and Lemon Spice Cake with Earl Grey Buttercream
- Add 5g of dried culinary lavender and zest of 2 lemons to the batter
- Replace bourbon in the frosting with strongly brewed Earl Grey tea
- Fig and Walnut Spice Cake with Goat Cheese Frosting
- Add 150g of chopped dried figs to the batter
- Replace pecans with walnuts
- Swap cream cheese for goat cheese in the frosting
- Chocolate Orange Spice Cake with Grand Marnier Ganache
- Add 50g of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients
- Replace vanilla extract with orange extract
- Top with a Grand Marnier-infused chocolate ganache instead of frosting
- Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- Replace grated apples with 250g of pumpkin puree
- Adjust spices to include more cinnamon, ginger, and allspice
- Use maple syrup instead of bourbon in the frosting
- Coconut Lime Spice Cake with Rum Buttercream
- Add 100g of shredded coconut and zest of 2 limes to the batter
- Replace pecans with macadamia nuts
- Swap bourbon for dark rum in the frosting
Nutrient | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value* |
---|---|---|
Calories | 505 | 25% |
Total Fat | 28g | 43% |
Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
Cholesterol | 105mg | 35% |
Sodium | 280mg | 12% |
Total Carbohydrates | 60g | 20% |
Dietary Fiber | 2g | 8% |
Sugars | 45g | – |
Protein | 5g | 10% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note: This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods used.