DessertsOrangePasta

Blood Orange Polenta

This Blood Orange Polenta Cake is a delicious, traditional, sweet Italian desert with tangy undertones. Polenta is a Northern Italian dish made of coarsely ground corn. It can be used as a substitute for pasta in savory dishes or in sweet dishes such as this one!

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 40 mins
8 people

Used in this recipe

Ingredients

2 tbsp. unsalted butter
50g light brown sugar
Zest from 1 blood orange
2 blood oranges
190g all-purpose flour
120g instant polenta
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cardamom
120ml Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil
120ml Greek yogurt
150g granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Method

Preheat oven to 180C. Use a little bit of extra Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil to grease an 8inch round cake pan.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in brown sugar. Once sugar melts, about 3 minutes, scrape the mixture into the bottom of the cake pan.
Grate the zest from one of the oranges and set aside. Slice both oranges crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and remove any seeds. Arrange the rounds on top of the brown sugar mixture in a single layer.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, polenta, baking powder, salt and cardamom.
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream together the olive oil, yogurt and sugar until fully blended and smooth, about 3-4 minutes. Slowly beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in the vanilla and the orange zest.
Fold in the dry mixture using a wooden spoon or spatula. Stir until combined, careful not to over-mix the batter.
Spoon the batter into the cake pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes. To remove the cake from the pan, run a knife along the edges of the pan to loosen it from the sides. Place a serving plate or cake stand over the cake pan and carefully invert the cake (or flip) in a quick fluid motion.
After allowing to completely cool, sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and serve

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

From £6.99

Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a distinctive, rich and fruity flavour that beautifully complements fresh ingredients. Perfect for sauces, marinades, drizzling and dipping, it’s a versatile addition to everyday cooking.