Celebrating Our 2nd Anniversary with Lemon, Cornmeal & Almond Cake

It’s hard to believe that two years ago this little corner of the blogosphere was still in beta. It’s grown to be such a big part of me, a warm community of like-minded yet completly unique people, that I can’t remember what I did before I was editor.

Simple Bites celebrates its 2nd anniversary this week and I had to make a cake to commemorate the event. It’s been a fun and fantastic two years, plus, it was high time I shared a favorite cake recipe.

Fresh lemon zest, finely ground almonds and a sprinkling of cornmeal give this rustic cake a marvelous flavor and memorable texture. It is perfect with a cup of tea, requiring absolutely no garnish. Oh, and bonus, it’s gluten-free!

The original recipe hails from the marvelous River Cafe Cookbook, my copy of which is in tatters. Over the years I’ve adapted this cake to a version that I find to be more moist and gets even better with age. How many cakes can you say that about?

This Gluten-Free Meyer Lemon, Cornmeal & Almond Cake is of the rustic variety. It’s not stacked several layers high, or frosted prettily, or even decorated, but instead it is remarkable for its bold lemon flavor and moist, melt-in-your mouth texture.

I think this cake is perfect in its simplicity, but you could dress it up with a drizzle of lemon glaze, serve it with a tangy citrus curd, or cover the top with fresh raspberries. 

Just be sure to share it with someone you love!

Gluten-Free Meyer Lemon, Cornmeal & Almond Cake

Fresh lemon zest, finely ground almonds and a sprinkling of cornmeal give this rustic cake a marvelous flavour and delightful texture.
4.67 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Desserts
Keyword: Gluten-free
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 585kcal
Author: Aimee

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (8 oz)
  • 2 1/2 cups ground almonds (8 oz)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 Zest of 3 Meyer lemons
  • 1 Juice of 1 lemon (2 Tablespoons)
  • 2/3 cup cornmeal Bob's Red Mill, Gluten Free
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter a 9-inch round cake tin and line the bottom with parchment paper. Butter the paper.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy, about 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, zest the lemons.
  • Add ground almonds and vanilla to the butter mixture and stir well. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is properly incorporated.
  • With the mixer on low, add the lemon zest, juice, cornmeal, baking powder and salt and mix until just combined.
  • Using a spatula, transfer the cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  • Bake in the middle of the oven for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then invert onto a wire rack.

Nutrition

Calories: 585kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 180mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 825IU | Vitamin C: 8.1mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 2.2mg

 

Thanks for reading Simple Bites! I’m excited for what the next year holds for this blog…

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




46 Comments

  1. Hi Aimée!

    Congrats on the second blog-anniversary!
    I’ve finally found some Meyer lemons and was looking for a recipe in which to try them and shortly after I find your recipe! Hooray! I’ll be giving this a try in the next few days. Thanks for sharing!

    stef

  2. Two years already? It feels like Simple Bites has been among my favorite blogs for much longer even though the past two years have flown by. I love all the work you’ve done Aimee! Happy blog anniversary. 🙂

  3. Happy second anniversary! Always a pleasure and a delight to read your blog . This beautiful cake looks delicious and so refreshing!
    Thank you for sharing.
    Cheria

  4. Happy second anniversary!
    Always a pleasure and a delight to read your blog . This beautiful cake looks delicious and so refreshing!
    Thank you for sharing.
    Cheria

  5. I can’t believe you have only been around for 2 years. Your blog is so polished. I’ve been reading regularly for about 6 months and I’ve made so many of your recipes. In fact, I’m having apple pie oats from my slow cooker this morning and I’m planning on having butternut squash mac n cheese on Wednesday/Pasta night this week. Thank you for all you do.

  6. You had me at lemon!! oh that looks delicious!!

    Congrats Aimee on 2 years!! Can you believe it’s been a year already since we all met up at Blissdom? miss you!!

  7. I’ve been looking for a gluten free recipe for a bridal shower coming up that I’m baking for. This looks delish and quaint all at once. I can’t wait to try it out.

  8. When I saw this cake I was disappointed because it looks so good and I didn’t think I’d be able to have it. But then I saw it’s gluten free! Happy anniversary and thanks for this recipe. I’m pinning it right now.

  9. In those two years you have inspired so many baking moments in my kitchen! Thanks for all that you have shared with us.

    I wonder what you will make to celebrate 5 years? 🙂

  10. Oh Well Done!!! Two Whole Years… how on earth does time whizz by so incredibly fast!!! Love your site and all the brilliant info – fabulous!!!

  11. Happy anniversary! You have some amazing, high quality content to show for your efforts. Congratulations! Now I can’t wait to try that cake.

  12. Happy 2 years! I actually remember when you started Simple Bites – and you’ve been in my reader ever since! And this cake is the perfect cake to celebrate.

  13. 5 stars
    Happy Blogiversary, Aimee! I can just taste a bite of this, and I can’t wait to make it. I’m so glad that blogging brought us together – and I am so glad that Simple Bites is doing so well! Lots of love today and always, my friend.

  14. 5 stars
    I made this tonight, and the hub said it was the best thing that I ever baked. Lemon-y, buttery goodness. I will be baking this again and again. Thank you!

  15. 5 stars
    Okay, this cake is dangerous. The two of us polished off half the cake in one sitting!! Delicious! A light dusting of gf powdered sugar made a perfectly easy topping. I’m a bit late to the party, here but the recipe has held up over the years. Can’t wait to make it again. Thank you!!

  16. 3 stars
    I have made this cake twice and while the flavor is fabulous, both times I have an abundance of butter swimming in the bottom of the pan and the cake is a little too moist. I grind fresh almonds (which I weigh on a food scale) and use Bob’s Red Mill cornmeal. I wonder if maybe 1/2 or 3/4 cup of butter would suffice?