Cornmeal Curnchy Fruity Cake

A long delayed post, is at last being published. Actually I had forgotten about this cake till this month Bake a thon event announced.

This cake is really crunchy, the cornmeal brings a crunchiness on each bite. The dried fruits and lemony tangy taste adds as a surprise. During Christmas season last year I found these fruits in the mall and could not resist buying them. But now the question was what do I do with them. So, I, Google and found this recipe. Cornmeal ..... from where do I get, searched for it in various stores in Mumbai, did not find it anywhere. So, again back to Google, on YouTube, found that you can make corn meal at home and that's how this cake was baked in my kitchen, Its very easy to make cornmeal at home. Look for videos on YouTube and will find many showing you the method.

The one that I made was a little too big grainy so I, suggest that you make it like thick rawa/semolina.

This is a great cake for tea time. When fresh you get the lemony flavor and taste. This cake, was especially made for our Easter party with my trekking friends.

My friends enjoyed this cake, but, hubby dear did not like this cornmeal cake, cause, the cornmeal - coming on every bite under his teeth. But, was very happy my friends gave Thumps Up for this cake. So here is the recipe. Do try this and you will definitely enjoy it.

See these lovely, colorful fruits, who can resist them!

Ingredients

1/3 Cup butter softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 eggs, beaten lightly

1/3 cup heaped self raising flour

1 Teaspoon Baking powder

2/3 cup cornmeal

1.1/3 cups Mixed dried fruits

1/4 cup Almonds

Grated rind of a lemon

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

4 tablespoons Milk

Method

Grease a cake pan with a little butter and line the base with baking paper.

Beat the butter and sugar together in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add in the beaten eggs, one spoon at a time, continue whisking . Add the cornmeal into the mixture until well blended and let it get soaked for about 15 minutes ( This is essential since the cornmeal is made at home and is slightly more grainy then the one available in stores). Then add the flour, baking powder and fold it gently. Add the mixed fruit, nuts, grated lemon rind, lemon juice and milk. Spoon the mixture into the pan and level the surface.

Preheat oven to 180C. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Let the cake cool before cutting it. But let me tell you, I, had no patience till the cake is completely cooled just sliced it had it warm. I simply loved this cake. You can see the fruits in this cake.

Just delicious hmm......... Enjoy!!!!!!!

Note :I used a silicon mould for this cake so I did not line it. This cake you cannot unmold since its fruity and crunchy, hence I suggest, that a silicon mould or removable bottom baking cake pan be used.