Blueberry, Orange and Polenta Cake

Try this Italian inspired cake.

Serves 8-10

Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 125g (41/2 oz) butter, at room temperature

  • 125g (41/2 oz) caster sugar

  • 1 orange, grated rind and 3 tablespoons of the juice (about ½ an orange)

  • 75g (3oz) polenta

  • 75g (3oz) self-raising flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 50g (2oz) ground almonds

  • 2 medium eggs, beaten

  • 1 tablespoon orange flower water, optional

  • 150g (5oz) blueberries

    To Finish:

  • 75g (3oz) caster sugar

  • 1 orange, grated rind of half and 5 tablespoons of the juice

  • Few pistachios, sliced

  • 250g (9oz) mascarpone soft cheese

  • 2 tablespoons orange liqueur 

  • Extra blueberries to decorate

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 170oC (150oC fan assisted), Gas Mark 3. Grease and base line a 23cm (9inch) springform tin.  Add the butter and sugar to a large bowl or food processor then add the orange rind and beat together until light and fluffy.

  2. Mix the polenta, flour, baking powder and ground almonds in a bowl.  Gradually mix alternate spoonfuls of beaten egg and the polenta mix into the creamed butter and sugar and beat well after each addition until smooth once more.

  3. Stir in 3 tablespoons orange juice and the orange flour water, if using. Spoon into the lined tin and sprinkle the blueberries over the top.

  4. Bake for about 35 minutes until the cake is well risen, cracked slightly on top and a skewer comes out cleanly when inserted into the centre of the cake.

  5. Mix 50g (2oz) of the remaining sugar with 3 tablespoons of orange juice together in a bowl. Remove the cake from the tin and put on to a cooling rack, peeling away the lining paper and set the rack over a plate. Skewer the top of the cake then drizzle over the orange syrup and sprinkle with the pistachios. Leave to cool.

  6. When ready to serve, mix the mascarpone with the grated rind of ½ an orange rind and the rest of the sugar then gradually mix in 2 tablespoons of orange juice and the liqueur.

  7. Transfer the cake to a board, top with extra blueberries then cut into thin slices. Serve with spoonfuls of the mascarpone mix. 

Aisling GilheanyComment