Polenta Plum Cake (Serves 10)
4 plums, pitted and cut into fourths
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 cup all purpose, unbleached flour
1 1/2 tsps baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
2 eggs (or egg substitute)
1 tsp lemon or orange zest
1 tsp vanilla
1. Grease and flour a 9 inch springform pan. Line with parchment paper.
2. Place plums, peel side up onto parchment and sprinkle them with brown sugar.
3. In a small bowl, combine dry ingredients, cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter on medium to high for half a minute. Add sugar and beat until light. Add eggs and yolks, one at a time and beat after each egg and yolk is added. Add zest and vanilla and beat.
5. Add the flour mixture and beat until well combined. Pour over plums in the springform pan.
6. Bake for about one hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on rack for about 15 to 20 minutes, remove sides of pan and cool completely. Carefully invert onto serving platter and remove pan bottom and parchment from plums. Serve with hot coffee or tea and enjoy!
