I am delighted to be sharing this lovely recipe for a very lemony almond and polenta cake today from Sophie Thompson’s My Family Kitchen:-
- 150 g polenta
- 150 g ground almonds
- 150 g caster sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 200 g soft butter plus extra for greasing
- 3 large eggs
- zest & juice of 3 large lemons
- 100 g icing sugar sifted
- 20 g flaked almonds toasted
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Preheat the oven to 180C /160C fan/Gas 4. Lightly grease and base line a 20cm springform cake tin.
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Place the polenta, ground almonds, caster sugar and butter in the bowl of a food processor. Blitz together for about 30 seconds to combine. Add the eggs one at a time, whizzing after each one to incorporate well. Add the lemon zest and whizz again for about 20 seconds.
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Spoon the mixture into your prepared tin and smooth over the top. Bake in the centre of the oven for 45minutes, or until golden and coming away slightly from the edges of the tin.
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Meanwhile mix the icing sugar with the lemon juice (about 100ml) in a bowl and whisk together until smooth. When the cakes comes out of the oven, use a skewer to make holes all over the top of the cake, and while still warm, pour your lemony syrup over the top.
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Scatter over the toasted flaked almonds, while the cake is still sticky, and leave to cool in the tin.
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Remove from the tin when cold and serve - splendid on its own or with a big dollop of Whim Wham [an orange custard also from the book] on the side,
Recipe extracted from My Family Kitchen by Sophie Thompson.
I made this in a stand mixer rather than a food processor.
As well as being very easy to make the cake is delicious, light and golden, bursting with lemon as well as having a lovely texture from the polenta. Perfect for pudding with cream or creme fraiche, or on its own for elevenses or for tea.
Sophie Thompson, sister to Emma and daughter of Eric (remember the Magic Roundabout?), was the winner of Celebrity Masterchef last year. In spite of her winning Celebrity Masterchef this is not a cheffy book at all, but is packed with accessible family recipes, the sort that have been cooked and eaten again and again, enjoyed and adapted over the years.  Sophie’s exuberant personality shines through the pages, and her introductions to the recipes, and the stories behind them and her family history are a delight to read.
What really appeals to me (and also to my mother who enjoyed reading though the book at the weekend) was that the vast majority of the recipes use very ordinary ingredients and herbs and spices that you already have in your cupboard – this is not a book which will leave you with umpteen pots and jars of exotic ingredients that you use once and then never use again.
The recipes are clearly written (my mother also remarked on the bold type for the ingredients and clear print), beautifully photographed with non intimidating, non fussy styling, you feel these dishes will be easy to make look attractive as well as tasting delicious.   Recipes to try are some sweet stick spare ribs, classic brown mince served with baked potatoes or rice and salmon and dill fishcakes. For something sweet I love the look of a simple maple syrup and plum cheesecake, salted caramel cookies with white chocolate drizzle or a Bavarian orange pie with a marshmallow topping.
My Family Kitchen is a charming book packed with classic tasty recipes you will want to cook again and again, adapt, share with your friends and family and create your own stories and memories around.
My Family Kitchen by Sophie Thompson is published by Faber and Faber, cover price £22
Would this cake be suitable for someone that needs to avoid gluten and does it stay fresh long.
Hi Maura,
The ingredients are naturally gluten free, but there could be cross contamination issues, so if cooking for someone who is gluten free it is best to check with them.
It kept at least 4 days, until we finished it.
This sounds like my kind of cookery book… practical recipes that you want to cook and eat with minimal fuss involved… might see if they have it at the library..
It is a really really lovely book Katie.
Sounds like a great book, only the best recipes are passed through the generations. The cake looks yummy.
It is such a lovely book. Am really enjoying it.
lamb casserole thankyou
Lovely looking cake, gorgeous photos!
Thank you Kavey, the cake was delicious.
Oooh that book does look good and the lemony polenta cake looks amazing!
the book is lovely. I love that it is traditional recipes with a twist and everyday ingredients.
Sausage pasta bake!
Beef Stew
My family’s favourite recipe is ham chicken and leek pie ????
My family’s favourite recipe is ham chicken and leek pie ????
Sunday Roast Beef dinner with all the trimmings
I adore polenta cakes, and that looks like an absolutely great example. It looks so quick and simple to make in the processor.
So easy and so delicious Minnie.
our family recipe for Apple Chutney its gorgeous, I have a jar in the cupboard that I cant bring myself to eat though as its from the last batch my granddad made before he passed away. Although hubby makes it from the recipe it doesn’t taste as nice as my granddads.
That is a lovely story Katie! I think you should open the chutney for a special occasion and really enjoy it.
Polenta drizzle cakes are one of my favourites. Thanks for this great looking recipe!
Naturally gluten free too (of course watch the baking powder and cross contamination). It was delicious!