Cornmeal and Fig Cake with Pine Nuts

Name: Cornmeal and Fig Cake with Pine Nuts
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 4 whole large egg yolks; ⅔ cup sugar; 2 cups whole milk; ¼ cup grappa; ⅛ teaspoon salt; ½ cup polenta (coarse cornmeal; do not use instant); ½ cup diced dried Calimyrna figs (about 6); ⅓ cup raisins; ¼ cup pine nuts; 1 tablespoon fennel seeds

A rustic Italian-inspired cake made with polenta, dried figs, and pine nuts, flavored with grappa and fennel seeds. This unique dessert combines the texture of cornmeal with the sweetness of dried fruits and the crunch of nuts.

8 servings

1 hr 20 min

Published October 4, 2025

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Ingredients

•4 whole large egg yolks
•⅔ cup sugar
•2 cups whole milk
•¼ cup grappa
•⅛ teaspoon salt
•½ cup polenta (coarse cornmeal; do not use instant)
•½ cup diced dried Calimyrna figs (about 6)
•⅓ cup raisins
•¼ cup pine nuts
•1 tablespoon fennel seeds

Cooking Instructions

1.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 8-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides. Beat egg yolks and sugar in large bowl. Bring milk, grappa, and salt to boil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Gradually whisk hot milk mixture into egg yolk mixture. Return to saucepan. Whisk in polenta. Whisk over medium-high heat until mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 8 minutes.
15 min
2.
Fold figs, raisins, pine nuts, and fennel seeds into polenta mixture. Pour into prepared cake pan.
5 min
3.
Bake cake until golden brown, set in center, and beginning to pull away from sides of pan, about 40 minutes. Cool in pan 20 minutes. Cut around pan sides and invert cake onto platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.
60 min