Almond-Polenta Pound Cake
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for the pan
- 1 cup cake flour (not self-rising), plus more for the pan
- 1/3 cup almond paste (3 1/4 ounces)
- 2/3 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/3 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 4 large eggs, room temperature, separated
- 1/2 cup coarse cornmeal (polenta)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Preheat the oven to 350F with a rack in the lower third.
- Butter an 8 x 9 4-inch loaf pan; dust with flour, and tap out excess.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cut the almond paste into 2/3 cup sugar with 2 forks until it resembles coarse meal.
- Add the butter; using the paddle attachment, beat until soft and light, about 4 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the extracts, cream, and egg yolks.
- With the mixer on medium, gradually add the cream mixture to the butter mixture.
- In a small bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt.
- Sift half the flour mixture over the butter mixture, and fold to combine.
- Fold in the remaining flour mixture.
- In another mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar on medium speed to stiff peaks, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Fold into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour.
- If the top begins to brown too much, cover loosely with foil.
- Let cool before serving.
unsalted butter, cake flour, almond paste, sugar, vanilla, almond, heavy cream, eggs, coarse cornmeal, baking powder, salt
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/almond-polenta-pound-cake-393067 (may not work)