Glazed Orange Cornmeal Cake

Simple, rustic cornmeal cake with a hint of orange, topped with powdered sugar.

Bright, citrusy, and lightly sweet, this Glazed Orange Cornmeal Cake combines orange zest, olive oil, and fine cornmeal for a tender, rustic dessert that’s both comforting and elegant.

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Servings

Ingredients

½ cup olive oil plus more for greasing the pan
2 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar plus ⅓ cup for topping
½ cup orange juice or dry white wine
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup finely ground yellow cornmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Zest from 1 large orange

Instructions

Prepare the Pan

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8-inch round cake pan with olive oil or butter. Line the bottom with parchment paper, then brush the top of the paper with a bit more oil to ensure a smooth release after baking.

Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, olive oil, 1 cup of sugar, and orange juice until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy.

Add the Dry Ingredients

Add the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and orange zest to the wet mixture. Whisk gently just until combined. The batter should appear slightly grainy due to the cornmeal but smooth overall.

Bake the Cake

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup sugar evenly over the top to create a crisp, caramelized crust. Bake for 25–35 minutes, or until the cake turns golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool and Serve

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edges to loosen it, then invert the cake onto a plate. Peel away the parchment paper and gently flip the cake right side up. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

To make this Glazed Orange Cornmeal Cake gluten-free, replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend (preferably one containing xanthan gum for structure). Reduce the orange juice by 1–2 tablespoons to maintain the proper texture. The flavor and texture remain beautifully moist, with the same sunny citrus aroma.

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