Low-Sugar Lemon Polenta Cake

Lemon Polenta Cake

This Lemon Polenta Cake is one I’ve made countless times, but this new low-sugar format uses maple syrup and mild olive oil for a healthier twist. It has a beautiful golden top and a bright citrus flavour that brings a bit of sunshine to every slice. Easy to make and full of flavour, it’s the perfect bake for this weekend. Take a look at my other easy one bowl cake recipes.

Serves: 10 | Gluten-Free

Ingredients:

Wet Ingredients:

  • 160ml mild olive oil

  • 180ml maple syrup

  • 4 medium eggs

  • 3 tsp vanilla extract

  • 1 tsp orange blossom water

  • Zest of 3 lemons

  • Pinch of salt

Dry Ingredients:

  • 200g ground almonds

  • 100g quick-cook polenta

  • 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda (level)

  • 1 tsp baking powder (level)

For the Syrup:

  • Juice of 3 lemons

  • 1-2 tbsp maple syrup

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 20g almond flakes

  • 10g pine nuts

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven:
    Preheat your oven to 170°C and line or grease a 9-inch cake tin with baking parchment.

  2. Mix the Cake Batter:
    In a large bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients—olive oil, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, orange blossom water, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt—until combined. Add the dry ingredients (ground almonds, polenta, bicarbonate of soda, and baking powder) and mix until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin.

  3. Bake the Cake:
    Place the cake in the middle of the oven and bake for 38-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a skewer inserted comes out fairly clean.

  4. Make the Syrup:
    While the cake bakes, prepare the syrup. In a bowl, mix the lemon juice, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir in the almond flakes and pine nuts.

  5. Finish the Cake:
    Once baked, pour the lemon syrup over the hot cake, allowing it to soak through for extra moisture and flavour. Leave the cake to cool slightly before serving.

  6. Serve:
    Serve the Lemon Polenta Cake warm or at room temperature with a dollop of yoghurt or crème fraîche.

Enjoy This Low Sugar Lemon Polenta Cake!

This Lemon Polenta Cake is a light, citrusy dessert with a lovely texture from the ground almonds and polenta. It’s gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and perfect for any gathering. Try it out, and let me know how it turns out!

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