Orange-Almond Polenta Cake
Making cake batter in the blender? What could be easier? This cake is elegant enough for a dinner party and easy enough for a weekday.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 8
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly oil and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
Step 2
Sift the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. In a blender or food processor, whirl the almonds and sugar until the almonds are finely ground. Add to the flour mixture.
Step 3
Grate the orange peel (see page 290) and juice the orange (about 1/3 cup). Add the orange juice, orange zest, oil, eggs, and 1/3 cup of water to the blender or food processor and whirl for about 15 seconds. Add the dry ingredients and blend until well mixed, using a spatula to scrape down the sides if necessary. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Step 4
Cool on a rack for 10 minutes; then carefully remove the cake from the pan. When thoroughly cool, dust with confectioners’ sugar.
Ingredient Note
Step 5
If you don’t have a fresh orange, this cake will be just fine with 1/3 cup prepared orange juice.
Serving & menu ideas
Step 6
Serve with berries or sliced fruit such as peaches or nectarines.
