Berry, Polenta and Orange Cake

, from Issue #37. August, 2015
Photography by Aaron McLean.
Berry, Polenta and Orange Cake

This moreish loaf cake recipe is made using polenta and ground almonds to add a subtle nuttiness. The addition of orange and frozen berries ensures the bake stays moist.

 

Serves: 8–10

INGREDIENTS

Cake
½ cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
¾ cup caster sugar
finely grated zest and juice of 1 orange
11/3 cups plain flour
2/3 cup ground almonds
2/3 cup instant polenta
2 teaspoons baking powder
pinch of salt
2 cups mixed frozen berries

Topping
juice of 1 orange
1/3 cup caster sugar

To serve
thick plain yoghurt or mascarpone

4 cup capacity loaf tin, greased and base and sides lined with baking paper

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 150˚C

Beat the oil, eggs, caster sugar and the orange zest and juice together for 5 minutes. Combine the flour, almonds, polenta, baking powder and salt.

Using a large metal spoon, fold in the dry ingredients, ensuring there are no pockets of flour in the batter. Pour half the mixture into the loaf tin then scatter over half the frozen berries. Top with the remaining batter and then the berries. Bake for 65-70 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out with a few damp crumbs attached.

Topping: Stir the orange juice and sugar together, then while the cake is still hot, spoon it evenly over the top. It will set into a lovely crisp sugary topping when the cake is cold. 

To serve: Lift the cake out of the tin and peel off the baking paper. Cut the cake into thick slices and top with a spoonful of yoghurt or mascarpone.