Gluten Free Orange Almond Cake

Gluten Free Orange, Almond and Polenta Cake

I can honestly say that this cake changed my life.

Here's how to make it.

Ingredients:

• 250g unsalted butter, softened
  
• 250g almond meal
• 220g caster sugar, and 60g seperate
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 50g polenta
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• juice and zest of 2-3 large oranges (will need about150mL of juice)
• (optional) Mascarpone and flaked almonds to garnish

Tools:

• Oven
• Electric beater (or a whisk and strong arms, or an "assistant")
• Cake tin (~19-21cm is good, any size can do)
• Piping bag

Method:

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and, the orange zest, then slowly beat in the 220g of sugar until the mixture is light and creamy.

Add the eggs slowly, beating well while adding.

Sift the almond meal, polenta, and baking powder into the bowl, and add 50mL (~2-2.5 tbsp) of orange juice. Gently mix by hand until the flour is hydrated.

Pour into your greased cake tin, spreading evenly but gently.

Put into the oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes or until the cake is nice and golden, a fork or skewer comes out clean.

While baking the cake, prepare your orange syrup by bringing the 60g of sugar and the the remaining orange juice to the boil. 

Stab the cake with a skewer like you wanna be in a B-grade Netflix doco, then spoon the mix over the cake. If using mascarpone, save a tablespoon or two to put through the mascarpone.

Let to cool.

Prepare the mascarpone by mixing the orange syrup with it, then piping it into the top of the cake.

Sprinkle over some flaked almonds and it is ready!

Enjoy with tea!