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
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
-
Sweet potato and courgette fish cakes
These sweet potato and courgette fish cakes take 30 minutes to make and can be served with chips, salad, or steamed veg on the side...
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Chicken and spinach lasagne
This chicken and spinach lasagne is a great new take on the family favourite and it’s easy to prepare during the day to cook come dinner time...
By Jessica Ransom Published
-
Broccoli pasta with pancetta
This broccoli pasta with pancetta takes 30 minutes to cook making it a great speedy family dinner...
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Compromising may be killing your relationship - here are 5 ways to reach healthy compromises, according to relationship expert
Compromising isn't always the best way to keep the peace in a relationship
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
-
Child psychologist unveils 'the grandparent code', a list of 12 grandparenting rules to keep family relationships strong and healthy
Some are common sense, others may be a little harder to follow...
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published