Recipe: Apple Polenta Cake with Creme Fraiche

Health Update: Well on Saturday I did say that I was feeling better after my iron infusion - but I have definitely gone down hill from there. I'm feeling incredibly nauseous, have a lovely spotty complexion from my stomach down my left side, can't stand up for too long without feeling woozy, have a headache that I can't seem to get rid of and every muscle in my body aches. Not fun - but I'm taking it easy for the next couple of days until I feel better. But enough with the sickness and ickyness, I want to tell you all about this delicious cake I made last week...

I love moist cakes, but I hate the word moist. It's a bit of a dilemma, right? I've tried using a million other words but it just doesn't work. I mean, really, I doubt you'd be interested in trying this cake if I said "hey guys! I just made this delicious damp cake" - totally not working, is it? 

Nevertheless, this cake is absolutely positively scrumptious. It's a little bit messy and a little bit crumbly, but trust me - you won't care about that whatsoever once you take a bite. 

It has a delicious texture thanks to the polenta with a buttery vanilla flavour and juicy bites of apple - you totally cannot guess that it's a healthy cake! 

This beauty is perfect for afternoon tea with friends, dessert after a scrumptious dinner or enjoyed as a snack - heck, I won't blink an eye if you eat it for breakfast! 

I tested this recipe on the SIL family as I always do and it got a huge thumbs up from everyone. My dad took one bite and said "oh wow, you definitely better be making this again and again" so I'd say that it's a hit! ;) 

I love fruity cakes and this Apple Polenta Cake is quite possibly the ultimate fruity and impressive cake. It looks gorgeous with its golden yellow colour and chunks of apple peaking through the top. We served it up for friends with a simple dollop of yogurt but you can also use creme fraiche or mascarpone or whatever you fancy - but it is also delicious eaten on its own! 

So let me give you that recipe!

Apple Polenta Cake serves 12

 gluten free, low fat, clean eating friendly, sugar free option

3 1/2 tbsp (50g) butter, softened

1/4 cup (50g) cane sugar or honey**

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla 

3/4 cup plus 1 tbsp (200g) unsweetened applesauce

1 cup (160g) gluten free polenta 

3/4 cup plus 1 tbsp (100g) plain flour/gluten free SR flour*

2 tsp baking powder   

Pinch of salt

3 small green apples, diced (about 300g) 

Pre-heat the oven to 180°c 355°F and line an 8" cake pan with baking paper.

Cream together the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy, add in your eggs, vanilla and applesauce and mix until combined. 

Add in your polenta, flour, baking powder and salt and mix until just combined.

Mix through your chopped apples until incorporated.

Scrape your batter into the prepared cake pan and place in the oven.

Bake for 35-40 minutes until a skewer inserted removes with only a few crumbs. If the cake browns too much, place a piece of tin foil over the top half way through baking.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool before removing from the pan. 

*when making a gluten free version, I like to use self raising flour for a light and delicious cake. When using wheat flours, just use plain flour! 

**if you like things really sweet you may want to increase the sugar, but this was perfect for all of us! (Even SIL mama who usually says things need to be sweeter!) 

But tell me, if you're having afternoon tea with friends - what's your go to treat?

Funnily enough it's often apple or blueberry cakes for us - it's something about a moist and fruity cake that goes perfectly with afternoon teas!

Also, what's the one word you can't stand?

And if any of you have any never fail nausea fixes, let me know! All of my usual methods aren't working with this iron infusion :(