Polenta is known for its soft and creamy texture, making it a perfect cake ingredient. The moist texture the polenta adds, combined with the sweet heat of spiceberries, makes this Spiceberry Polenta Cake unforgettable, not to mention the fresh apple slices that take this simple recipe to an elevated level.
Spiceberry Polenta Cake Recipe
INGREDIENTS
4 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
Freshly grated zest of 1 medium orange
Freshly grated zest of 1 medium lemon
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup instant polenta
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp spiceberries
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Confectioner’s sugar and apples for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and position a rack in the center of the oven. Lightly grease a 9 inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray or butter.
- Place the eggs and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. With the whisk attachment, beat them on medium speed until they are tripled in volume, fluffy, and pale yellow in color.
- While the eggs are beating, in a medium bowl combine the flour, polenta, baking powder and salt.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients to the egg mixture with the olive oil. Begin with 1/3 of the dry ingredients, then add half the oil, followed by another 1/3 of dry ingredients, beating only until each addition is incorporated. Stop the mixer and briefly scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat in the remaining olive oil, followed by that last 1/3 of the dry ingredients.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes. Rotate the cake 180 degrees halfway through the baking time to ensure even browning. The cake is done when it springs back lightly and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Or if a cake tester is inserted in the center and comes out clean.
- Cool the cake on a rack, in the pan, for 12 to 15 minutes, then carefully remove the sides of the pan and allow the cake to cool completely. Before serving, dust the cake with confectioner’s sugar.
Photography by Adam Milliron / Styling by Ana Kelly
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