Sample of apricot tart and soft cheese (7)
I believe the answer is:
ricotta
'soft cheese' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'sample of apricot tart and' is the wordplay.
'sample of' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (I've seen this in other clues).
'RICOTTA' is hidden within 'apricot tart and'.
(Other definitions for ricotta that I've seen before include "cheese found" , "One soft cheese" , "one brought on board?" , "Soft white cheese used in Italian cooking" , "Sheep's milk cheese" .)