Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for the pan
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting the pan
- 1/2 cup yellow fine cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 cup orange zest (from 2 large oranges)
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 large eggs
- Caramel Walnut Sauce, recipe follows
Directions
Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and orange zest. Measure 3 tablespoons of the flour mixture into a small bowl. Add the chopped cranberries and toss until coated. Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the egg yolks and whole eggs, 1 at a time. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. Using a spatula, gently fold in the cranberries.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake until the cake is golden brown, and a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut the cake into wedges, arrange on a serving platter and serve with the Caramel Walnut Sauce. (The cake can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight in a plastic container.)
Note from Food Network Kitchens: Due to your comments we have retested and changed this recipe. It may not match exactly what the chef did on the show.
Caramel-Walnut Sauce:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
- 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, optional
For the Caramel-Walnut Topping Sauce: In a medium saucepan, mix together the cream, brown sugar, and butter over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer until the mixture thickens, about 25 to 30 minutes. Stir in the walnuts and sea salt, if using. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before serving.
Yield: 2 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 to 30 minutes
Photo: Cranberry and Cornmeal Cake with Caramel-Walnut Topping Sauce Recipe















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By prettbrowneyes_...
Spanaway, WA
on December 04, 2012
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This cake was delicious. The cake had great flavor and was very moist. The caramel walnut sauce was outstanding on the cake, but the cake was great without it as well. The citrus flavor from the orange zest was a nice accent to the flavor of this cake. I also really enjoyed the way the cornmeal gave it a slightly different texture, without taking away from the moisture of this cake. I will definitely be making this a go to recipe!!!
By jpalbino_11972281
Wolcott, 45
on December 17, 2011
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Made this for a house party. Guest were blown away! One of the best cakes ever
By donnanative
Coral Gables, FL
on December 12, 2011
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This cake is delicious - with or without the sauce. Made it just as directed and it was not at all dry - the Caramel-Walnut Topping is very good, but really sweet (would probably be good on vanilla or coffee ice cream. Also, the recipe makes a lot of sauce, so you could probably halve the recipe and still have enough - I also had to cook it longer - about 30 - 35 minutes, but all in all, this is a keeper.
Read all 21 reviews