Name: Polenta Almond Cake
Yield: Makes one 8-inch cake
Ingredients: 1/2 cup sliced almonds; 1/2 cup whole blanched almonds; 1/2 cup finely ground polenta; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus 2 tablespoons melted, for pan; 1 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons for pan; 3 large eggs; 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread sliced almonds in a single layer on a small baking sheet. Bake until fragrant and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a shallow bowl; set aside to cool. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, finely grind whole almonds; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the ground almonds, polenta, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Pour melted butter into an 8-by-2-inch round cake pan, swirling to coat bottom and brushing up sides of the pan. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar and toasted sliced almonds; set aside.
3. Combine butter and remaining 1 cup sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating to combine after each addition. Beat in orange juice and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients, slowly beating just until combined.
4. Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing top with an offset spatula. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Transfer baking pan to wire rack to cool for 15 minutes. Remove cake from pan, and cool completely.

Reviews

How would you rate this recipe?

timberhand

12 JUL, 2013

Delicious! I made this for my husband's birthday because he doesn't really like a traditional sweet cake, and I thought this would be a lovely compromise since I couldn't NOT make him a cake on his birthday. He absolutely loved this cake-- the consistency, the moistness, and subtle almond flavor were a winning combination. He wants me to make this every year for his birthday from now on!
QueenFrostine

29 MAR, 2009

Do you invert the cake to serve it? or do you just keep the toasted almonds on the bottom of the cake?
neelyohara

7 FEB, 2009

This is an easy and interesting dessert. I've made it several times and everyone always enjoys it. It's not too sweet and is the perfect dessert after a heavy meal.
cameronclinton

20 DEC, 2007

This is the best thing I've ever tasted. When you're sick of chocolate and vanilla and all the rest.. try this one... delicious and definately something different. I'm not a baker, so it was a little labor intensive for me, but well worth it. It's great.

Polenta Almond Cake

Ingredients

Directions

Similar Recipes

Reviews

I'm in the mood for:

Polenta Almond Cake

The Food Newsletter

Ingredients

Directions

Similar Recipes

Reviews

I'm in the mood for: