Easy Lemon Polenta Cake recipe for a delicious, elegant, gluten-free dessert. It is simple and refined, the perfect way to end a meal.
This flourless cake is made with cornmeal and almond flour. Topped with a sweet and tart lemon syrup and a dusting of icing sugar. By far the best polenta cake we have ever eaten.
An Italian-inspired polenta dessert recipe bursting with lots of lemon flavour. Great for afternoon tea or special occasion dessert.
I love lemon desserts, especially lemon curd. Tangy with a bit of sweetness. Great for pies, tarts, muffins, and lemon curd parfaits. Did you know it also is the perfect filling for making easy lemon tarts?
Lemon desserts are always a sure sign of spring. Perfect for Easter celebrations. My Ukrainian Cheesecake has a nice hit of lemon zest. It is also known as Ukrainian Easter sweet cheese or Syrnyk.
This Italian cornmeal cake is moist and flavourful. You will never believe how easy it is to bake with polenta. It has quickly become our favourite gluten-free lemon cake recipe.
Cornmeal was something I have loved since childhood. I would often just boil some up and eat it with sour cream. I know that may sound weird, but perhaps that is the Ukrainian in me. It was all about the savoury polenta dishes. Have you tried shrimp and grits?
I had never tried a sweet polenta dessert recipe until I made this lemon cornmeal cake. In fact, I didn’t even know you could use polenta in cakes.
Both my husband and I rate lemon meringue pie at the top of our dessert list. Since making this cake, it seems like this is a very, very close second.
Lemon Cornmeal Cake Ingredients
- butter
- polenta (ground cornmeal)
- superfine sugar (see recipe tip)
- almond flour (ground almonds)
- baking powder
- eggs
- lemon zest
- lemon juice
- icing sugar
Baking Polenta Cake
Simple and elegant, rustic yet classy. Full instructions are in the recipe card. This recipe was adapted from Nigella Lawson’s polenta cake recipe.
- Heat the oven and grease a round cake pan. I used a springform pan.
- Juice the lemons. I like using a citrus reamer.
- Zest the lemons. A microplane works best.
- Combine the almonds, cornmeal, and baking powder.
- Combine the butter and sugar.
- Alternate the dry mixture with the wet mixture, adding the eggs as you go.
- Place batter in baking pan.
- Bake.
- Top warm cake with lemon syrup.
Once cooled, remove the cake from the pan. Slice and enjoy. I added some icing sugar and sliced strawberries as a garnish, but honestly, this cake works perfectly as a stand-alone dessert.
Suggestions / Recipe Tips
Be sure to use ground cornmeal for this recipe. Coarse cornmeal will produce a gritty texture in the cake.
This recipe calls for caster sugar. In North America, we don’t have caster sugar, but what we do have is superfine sugar.
If you have ever bought this before, you know how expensive it is for a small amount. Did you know you can make it at home? Yup, all you have to do is put regular granulated white sugar into your blender and turn it into caster sugar. So much cheaper than paying the high prices at the store for this baking ingredient.
You can also do the same process for the ground almonds to make almond flour. Your blender is so useful when it comes to ingredients like this.
Of course, if you don’t have a blender, you can buy ground almonds and superfine sugar at any grocery store or Bulk Barn if you have one near you.
Store leftover cake in a cake container, or place it in a container that you can seal to prevent it from drying out. It will last about 4-5 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. Be sure to wrap it well in plastic wrap.
Is Cornmeal The Same As Polenta?
- There can be some confusion about what polenta is. I grew up only knowing it as ground cornmeal.
- The truth is, that polenta is a dish made of boiled cornmeal. In the south, it can be referred to as grits.
- It can be found in several varieties like coarse, fine, and instant. Located in the baking section or rice section.
- There is even a pre-cooked version. This can be found in a tube shape in the refrigerated section of the grocery store near the olives, dips, and specialty cheeses.
- Besides the boiled version, you can serve it grilled or baked in both savory and sweet recipes. Polenta fries are always a hit.
- Polenta is cooked in salted water, similar to oatmeal and rice.
- It is a gluten-free grain.
Need a few more lemon-inspired recipes to try? I have the perfect no-churn Easter ice cream recipe. The kids are going to love it.
Once the hot summer days start to roll around, these lemon tea popsicles are sure to please. Adults love these fruit-filled treats.
Since you will love this easy-to-make cake, give this classic coffee cake recipe a try too. A great cinnamon breakfast cake.
Lemon Polenta Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup superfine sugar
- 1 ¾ cups ground almonds
- ¾ cup fine cornmeal polenta
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 3 eggs
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon zest
For the Syrup:
- ½ cup lemon juice
- ¾ cup icing sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F.
- Line base of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease sides with butter.
- Combine almonds, cornmeal and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.
- In another bowl beat butter and superfine sugar until pale (I used a hand mixer).
- To the butter/sugar mixture add some of the almond/cornmeal mixture, followed by 1 egg, and continue to beat.
- Alternately add the almond/cornmeal mixture followed by an egg until it is all incorporated, beating the whole time.
- Beat in the lemon zest.
- Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes.
- Test using a cake tester, the cake will be done, but might seem a bit “wobbly”, the cake should be shrinking away from the side of the pan.
- Remove and set on a wire rack (leave the cake in the pan).
- Make your simple syrup by combining the lemon juice and icing sugar in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil and cook until all the sugar is dissolved.
- Prick the top of the cake all over with a cake tester.
- Pour the warm syrup over the cake.
- Let cool completely before removing from tin.
- Slice, and if desired garnish with powdered icing sugar and berries.
Jori
As I read your recipe, I realised that I’ve actually had this before. I just never put it together that it was made of polenta. This sounds super yummy and we’re big polenta fans so will probably give it a go this weekend!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
We love this recipe. Such an easy and even elegant dessert to serve to dinner guests.
Maman de sara
I only use cornmeal to make cornbread. I can’t wait to use it to make this cake. Thanks for sharing.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You are missing out on the whole “savoury cake” deal…you gotta give it a try.
Lathiya
The lemon polenta cake looks so vibrant and moist. I’m sure it have a vibrant taste of bursting lemon flavor
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
It is so delicious…give it a try and see.
Dana
I had no idea you could use polenta in baked goods! (That’s how advanced *I* am with baking, haha.) This cake looks so spongy, bouncy, moist, and incredible. I’m a sucker for lemon desserts, too. Sweet, refreshing, and subtly tart <3
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This cake ticks all the boxes. You gotta try it to believe it.
April
I enjoy polenta anywhere and any time! So having another recipe to try makes me really happy. And yes, it is hard to imagine life without a blender – I use it so often that I could almost say I use it every time I cook!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This cake is so delicious. The perfect lemon dessert.
Mimi
Such a great looking cake – just perfect for celebrating a special day. And great tip on the caster sugar – I agree, it is cheaper and easier!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes, if you have a great blender, making caster sugar is a breeze.
Sean@Diversivore
I’ve been wanting to make a polenta cake for quite a while now, but I think this is the one that has me REALLY interested. Like you, I’m a huge fan of lemon desserts. Ever since I found out I could make lemon curd in my vitamix I’ve been having to hold myself back from overindulging. I’m loving the crumb on this delightful, versatile treat too. Cheers!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
OMG I was blown away the first time I made this cake. SO delicious. The perfect balance of sweet and savoury!! You really need to give it a try.
Jacqueline Debono
We eat a lot of polenta here in Northern Italy but mostly as a side dish either grilled or like a puree! I’ve never tried polenta cake but I like polenta and I love lemon desserts so am sure I’ll love this cake too!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Give this a try. It is so delicious and a great way to enjoy polenta.
Heather
What a moist looking cake! I normally use polenta in savory ways, but never thought of making a sweet dish with it. I am totally convinced now and can’t wait to try this cake 🙂
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This was my first time…and I was totally blown away.
Eileen Kelly
Such a flavorful cake and I love using polenta in this cake! This is such a great recipe for a delicious dessert! A great cake to bring to family gatherings, I think it would travel very well!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This is a hit with the guests for sure.
Marisa F. Stewart
It’s taken a while to appreciate the deliciousness of polenta cake but I’m a huge fan!! And lemon? Love the taste! I love to add lemon zest to just about everything. Adds such a fresh, clean taste. Also polenta cake isn’t overly sweet — that is a huge plus for me. This makes the perfect afternoon treat with a cup of coffee or tea.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
We were blown away at how delicious this cake is. So easy to make too.
Lois Christensen
I’ve never had polenta anything! But I love lemon and this recipe looks so refreshing and delicious!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Give this a try. You will be surprised at how delicious it is.
Linda
I love polenta and always have it with something savory until someone baked this last week and I’m in love. Thanks for sharing it here because I now can make it, too!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…we LOVE this cake.
Sophia
Wow, a lemon polenta cake! What a unique idea. And I love your tip for making your own caster sugar. I had no idea you could do that. Thank you!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Making caster sugar is easy. So is the polenta cake recipe.
Danielle Wolter
i am seriously in love with all things lemon. this cake sound just incredible! i will have to check out the superfine sugar, never used it before. this is def something i need to try!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Superfine sugar is so easy to make. Hope you give this recipe a try soon.