Our lemon cheese polenta cakes are so easy to make and speedy too. These Italian style lemon cakes made with polenta and cream cheese. Easy baking for afternoon tea and gluten-free too! This recipe makes 10 cakes and will take only 40 mins to make and decorate them all. They're perfect for sharing and great if you're trying to be a little bit healthier when it comes to your favourite cake.
Ingredients
- 1 lemon
- 90g (3oz) unsalted butter
- 60g (2oz) caster sugar, plus 2 tbsp
- 90g (3oz) coarse polenta (found in most supermarkets)
- 90g (3oz) ground almonds
- 6 tbsp cream cheese
- 2 tbsp lemon curd
- 10 patty tins lined with small squares of Bakewell paper
WEIGHT CONVERTER
Method
- Set the oven to Gas Mark 3 or 160°C. Pare strips of rind from the lemon and set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, then mix in the polenta, ground almonds and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Roll into a cylinder and cut into 10 slices. Roll each portion into a ball, put in the cases and make a thumb-mark depression in each. Bake for 20-25 mins until golden. Leave in the tins for 10 mins. Cool on a wire rack.
- Meanwhile, cut the lemon parings into fine shreds. Put 2 tbsp sugar with 3 tbsp cold water in a small pan and simmer until the sugar dissolves, then add the lemon shreds and cook for 4 mins until just softening. Leave in the syrup to cool.
- Soften the cheese and beat in the lemon curd. Put spoonfuls of lemon cheese on each cake and decorate with lemon strands.
Top Tip for making Lemon cheese polenta cakes
Polenta can vary in texture. the coarse is slightly gritty, so if you prefer, use medium, but not the fine, as this will make the cakes dry
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
Trusted, informative, and empathetic – GoodToKnow is the ultimate online destination for mums. Established in 2007, our 15-year-strong archive of content includes more than 18,000 articles, 1,500 how-to videos, and 7,000 recipes.
-
Orange polenta and olive oil cake
This orange polenta and olive oil cake has just a handful of ingredients and will taste even better if you can bake it a couple of days ahead.
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Gluten-free scones
Gluten-free scones are perfect for anyone who is gluten intolerant and they go great with a cup of afternoon tea and plenty of jam and cream...
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Gluten-free Christmas pudding
A gluten-free Christmas pudding is just as delicious as the classic recipe. This one takes just thirty minutes prep thanks to some clever substitutions.
By Rosie Hopegood Published
-
Pistachio and elderflower Battenberg
Our Pistachio and elderflower Battenberg is a delightful spring twist on the classic British treat and it only takes 30 minutes to bake.
By Jess Meyer Published
-
Chocolate orange hot cross buns
These chocolate orange hot cross buns are covered with a thick layer of hazelnut chocolate spread. The kids are going to love them...
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Annabel Karmel's trio of vegetables with tomato and basil
Suitable for six months plus, this baby food by nutritional expert Annabel Karmel is made with a whole heap of veggies...
By Annabel Karmel Published
-
Kate Middleton has reportedly ‘FaceTimed’ her kids everyday while in hospital as Prince William holds down the fort at home
The Princess of Wales is recovering from surgery in The London Clinic
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
This easy no-bake Milkybar cheesecake recipe has gone viral and you need to make it
By Selina Maycock Published
-
Parenting researcher reveals how to talk to your kids about achievements in a healthy, non-toxic way
Celebrating your kids' achievements is always important, but there's other things to worry about too
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published