This Ultimate Orange Polenta Cake combines the rustic texture of cornmeal with bright, zesty orange flavors to create a dessert that’s both sophisticated and comforting. The polenta adds a delightful grainy texture that pairs beautifully with the citrusy sweetness, making this cake a standout addition to any dessert table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Ultimate Orange Polenta Cake delivers on multiple fronts. The combination of fine cornmeal and almond flour creates a unique texture that’s tender yet substantial, while the fresh orange zest and juice infuse every bite with vibrant citrus flavor. Unlike traditional cakes, this recipe is naturally gluten-reduced due to the polenta base, making it an excellent choice for those seeking alternatives to wheat-heavy desserts. The cake stays moist for days, develops even better flavor overnight, and pairs wonderfully with everything from morning coffee to elegant dinner parties. The golden color from the polenta and orange creates a visually stunning cake that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fine cornmeal (polenta): 200 g – The star ingredient that gives this cake its distinctive texture
- Almond flour: 100 g – Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb
- All-purpose flour: 50 g – Provides structure and binding
- Baking powder: 1 tsp (5 g) – Essential for proper rise and light texture
- Unsalted butter: 150 g, softened – Creates richness and moisture
- Granulated sugar: 150 g – Sweetens and helps create the cake’s tender structure
- Eggs: 3 large – Provide structure, richness, and help bind ingredients
- Orange zest: from 2 oranges – Delivers intense citrus flavor and aroma
- Fresh orange juice: 100 ml – Adds moisture and bright orange taste
- Powdered sugar: for dusting – Final touch for elegant presentation
How to Make Ultimate Orange Polenta Cake
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation Phase: Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F) and generously butter a 23cm (9-inch) round cake pan, then dust with a light coating of polenta to prevent sticking. This extra step ensures your cake releases perfectly from the pan.
Mixing Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the fine cornmeal, almond flour, all-purpose flour, and baking powder until evenly combined. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent throughout your dry ingredients.
Creaming Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial for creating the cake’s tender texture.
Adding Eggs and Citrus: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the orange zest, which should be finely grated to distribute the oils evenly throughout the batter.
Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients: Reduce mixer speed to low and alternately add the flour mixture and orange juice to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
Baking: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
Cooling: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Helpful Tips
Choose organic oranges when possible, as you’ll be using the zest, and always wash citrus fruits thoroughly before zesting. The quality of your polenta matters significantly – look for fine cornmeal rather than coarse varieties for the best texture. Room temperature ingredients blend more easily, so take your eggs and butter out of the refrigerator about an hour before baking. When zesting oranges, avoid the bitter white pith by using only the colorful outer layer. Don’t overmix the batter once you add the flour mixture, as this can result in a tough cake. If your cake seems to be browning too quickly during baking, tent it loosely with aluminum foil.
Details
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 45-50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8-10 slices
Difficulty Level: Easy to Intermediate
Equipment Needed: Electric mixer, 23cm round cake pan, wire cooling rack, zester or fine grater
Notes
This Ultimate Orange Polenta Cake actually improves with time, as the flavors meld and the texture becomes even more tender after a day. The cake can be made up to three days in advance, making it perfect for entertaining. For an extra special touch, serve with a dollop of mascarpone cream or vanilla ice cream. The recipe can be easily doubled for larger gatherings, and individual mini cakes can be made using a muffin tin with adjusted baking time of 20-25 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute the almond flour? Yes, you can replace almond flour with additional all-purpose flour, though this will change the texture slightly. Ground hazelnuts or other nut flours work well as alternatives.
What if I don’t have fresh orange juice? While fresh juice provides the best flavor, you can use high-quality store-bought orange juice. Avoid juice from concentrate if possible.
Can this cake be made gluten-free? Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe completely gluten-free.
How do I know when the cake is done? The cake should spring back lightly when touched in the center, and a toothpick should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Can I add other flavors? Lemon zest can be substituted for orange, or try adding a tablespoon of rosemary for a sophisticated herb note.
Storage Instructions
Store your Ultimate Orange Polenta Cake covered at room temperature for up to four days. The cake actually improves after the first day as flavors develop and meld together. For longer storage, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. Thaw frozen slices at room temperature for about an hour before serving. If you live in a humid climate, refrigerate the cake after two days, but bring it back to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Related Recipes
Expand your citrus baking repertoire with these complementary recipes from runoflif.com:
- Classic Lemon Pound Cake
- Mediterranean Olive Oil Orange Cake
- Rustic Cornmeal Cookies
- Orange Almond Biscotti
- Citrus Glazed Scones
Conclusion
This Ultimate Orange Polenta Cake represents the perfect marriage of rustic Italian ingredients with bright, sunny flavors. The unique texture provided by the cornmeal creates a cake that’s both familiar and excitingly different from traditional offerings. Whether you’re looking to impress dinner guests or simply want to treat your family to something special, this recipe delivers consistent results with minimal fuss. The make-ahead friendly nature and excellent keeping qualities make it a practical choice for busy schedules, while the sophisticated flavor profile ensures it’s special enough for any celebration. Once you experience the delightful contrast of textures and the bright orange flavor that permeates every bite, this Ultimate Orange Polenta Cake will undoubtedly become a treasured addition to your baking repertoire.