Recipe

Cornmeal Cake with Fresh Corn and Raspberries

Cornmeal Cake with Fresh Corn and Raspberries

Photo by JSCooks

  • This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Corn Recipe
  • Chef

    JSCooks's Notes: Am I permitted to submit a recipe that's already published in my book, Farmers' Market Desserts? This was the first recipe I developed for the proposal for the book, and it remains a favorite...

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Serves 8

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F, with a rack near the center. Oil or spray an 8-by-2-inch round cake pan. Dust the pan with flour, tapping out the excess.

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  2. Set aside 1 cup of the berries for garnish. Put the remaining 1 cup berries into a small bowl with the corn kernels. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the flour and 2 tablespoons of the sugar. Toss gently to coat evenly and set aside.

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  3. Stir together the remaining 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup of the remaining sugar, and the cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and olive oil. Stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture just until they are well combined. Gently fold the floured and sugared berries into the batter.

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  4. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted near the center tests clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack until almost completely cool.

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  5. Run a thin knife around the inside edge of the pan to loosen the cake sides. Invert a flat plate or baking sheet over the pan and invert the pan and plate together to release the cake. Lift off the pan, then invert the cake again onto a serving plate.

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  6. A few minutes before serving, toss the reserved berries with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Serve the cake slightly warm or at room temperature. Top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream, if using it, and a scattering of sugared berries.

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Mlt_yogateau_1 Reply

I brought this cake to an impromptu bbq the other day, and it was a hit! There were 5 of us and we demolished it. I didn't have corn, so I added extra raspberries; and I used mandarin orange-scented olive oil instead of regular which gave it a nice floral background. Thanks for posting this, JSCooks.

Js-headshot Reply

I'm so glad you and your friends enjoyed it, and how wonderful that you put your own stamp on it!

Copy_of_me Reply

Yum!

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

This looks really fabulous! I think I'm going to have to make this one. Thanks for posting it! I love the idea of using plums too. Such a nice contrast in flavors and texture.

Js-headshot Reply

Let me know what you think if you try it! The combo of corn and raspberries is very special. They just taste like they belong together.

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

I will! It sounds like such an interesting combination that I've not tried. One question: I'm trying (some days more successfully than others) to cut back on processed sugar. What if I substited honey or agave nectar or some combination for the sugar? I know the honey will make it very moist over time due to its strong ability to absorb moisture from the air, but love honey with cornbread. I'd appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!

Js-headshot Reply

ChezSuzanne,
I have not made this with honey or agave nectar but I think it would work out well flavor-wise. As you note there are some differences in how they react chemically, but heck, it's worth a try, especially with local honey you find at the farmers' market!

Sagegr Reply

So glad you are sharing this with us here!

Js-headshot Reply

Always happy to share -- I make this one all the time. In fact, I just made it the other day with chopped plums in place of the berries -- really nice!

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