
Brown Butter Polenta Cake
Prep
15 mins
Cook
30 mins
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
This brown butter polenta cake is one of my favorite weeknight desserts because it comes together in under an hour with ingredients I almost always have on hand. The polenta adds a wonderful subtle texture and brings a bit of nutritional benefit since it's a whole grain packed with fiber. What I love most is how the nutty brown butter elevates everything, while those chocolate chips and surprising fleck of fresh parsley create this unexpectedly sophisticated flavor. It's simple enough for a beginner baker but feels impressive enough to serve to guests.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 250polenta
- 150 gall-purpose flour
- 10 gbaking powder
- 5 gsalt
- 120brown butter
- 100 ggranulated sugar
- 2 egglarge eggs
- 60 gunsalted butter, melted
- 1½ mLvanilla extract
- 100 gsemi-sweet chocolate chips
- 20 gchopped fresh parsley
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Tip: Use an oven thermometer for accurate temperature.
- 2
In a large saucepan, combine the polenta, flour, baking powder, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the polenta is lightly toasted and the mixture is smooth.
Tip: Be careful not to burn the polenta.
- 3
In a separate saucepan, melt the brown butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma.
Tip: Use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- 4
Remove the brown butter from the heat and whisk in the granulated sugar until dissolved.
Tip: This will help create a moist and flavorful cake.
- 5
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Tip: Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all the ingredients.
- 6
Add the toasted polenta mixture, chocolate chips, and chopped parsley to the mixing bowl.
Tip: Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the ingredients together until just combined.
- 7
Pour the batter into a greased and floured 20cm (8 inch) round cake pan.
Tip: Use a non-stick pan or grease with butter and flour to prevent the cake from sticking.
- 8
Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Tip: Don't overbake, as this can cause the cake to dry out.
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