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Recipe by Jane Hornby

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1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 and make sure there's a shelf ready in the middle of the oven. Butter a rectangular baking tray or small roasting tin, about 20cm x 30cm. Cut out a sheet of baking paper a bit larger than the tin, then push it in and smooth it out with your hands so it sticks to the butter. Snip into the corners with a pair of scissors to get the paper to lie neatly.
2. Put all the cake ingredients and a pinch of salt into a large bowl, then use electric beaters to beat until creamy and smooth. Scoop into the tin, then level the top. Spoon the lemon curd over the batter in thick stripes. Use the handle of the spoon to swirl the curd into the cake - not too much or you won't see the swirls once it's cooked. Bake for about 35 mins or until golden and risen. It should have shrunk away from the sides of the tin ever so slightly and feel springy. Don't open the oven before 30 mins cooking is up.
3. Leave the cake in the tin for 10 mins or until just cool enough to handle. Carefully lift out of the tin and put it onto a cooling rack, sat over a tray or something similar to catch drips of drizzle. To make the drizzle, mix 4 tbsp sugar and the lemon juice together and spoon over the cake. Toss the lemon zest with the final 1 tbsp sugar and scatter over the top. Let the cake cool completely, then lift onto a board, peel away the sides of the baking paper and cut the cake into fingers. Will keep in an airtight tin for 3 days.

PER SERVING

214 kcalories, protein 3g, carbohydrate 27g, fat 11 g, saturated fat 6g, fibre 0g, salt 0.3 g

Latest comments and suggestions

• cheryl

  17 January 2009

  cheryl commented on this recipe

  Just made this cake and i dont think its cooked properly in the middle!! Either that or it the lemon curd sunk through the cake?? Nah i think its not cooked right after having a look at the photo! D'oh! Left it for the full 35 and a bit longer maybe should have left it in another 5 minutes! Might try it again since i have an abundance of lemons.. will let you know.

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• Ger Ahearne

  25 January 2009

  Ger Ahearne commented on this recipe

  My daughter and I made these yesterday and we were both very impressed with the results! I think I was a bit heavy handed with the lemon curd (I guessed rather tha measured) but the result was a lovely, sticky, carmelised effect on top. It was so nice as it was, we didn't even add the syrup. Minimum effort, maximum result, my kind of recipe! Will make again and again.

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• DJW

  26 January 2009

  DJW rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Loved it so did everyone lucky enough to get a slice. Used cheap lemon curd which was quite solid so gave it a blast in the microwave to soften and make it more spreadable. Will definately make again

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• Gail

  30 January 2009

  Gail rated and commented on this recipe

  

  this was my first ever sponge and it turned out perfectly - and delicious! I didn't even bother with the drizzle and they still tasted great

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• Carla

  04 February 2009

  Carla commented on this recipe

  Made this and it was absolutely gorgeous. I didn't use the polenta, I just went for the Self Raising Flour option. I also used lemon curd that was quite solid so I just blobbed in on and swirled it in. There were squidgy bits of lemon curd through the cake when cooked but I enjoyed that. :D I will definately make it again but may try bottled lemon juice this time because I'm now left with three lemons that have been zested to find something to do with!!LOL

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• cheryl

  07 February 2009

  cheryl commented on this recipe

  Nope i've tried this cake again today and its no use i cant make it!! This time i left it longer and it went all bubbly on top and i think its over done and a little dry. It's edible, but just not like it should be! I give up.

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• Verity

  09 February 2009

  Verity rated and commented on this recipe

  

  I made this as muffins and they were really scrummy!

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• BeaMuffin

  15 February 2009

  BeaMuffin rated and commented on this recipe

  

  I've just made this recipe and it turned out absolutely delicious. For a healthier touch I used spelt flour instead of wheat and only organic ingredients. I'll definitely make this cake again!

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• Joanne

  21 February 2009

  Joanne rated and commented on this recipe

  

  I'm a huge fan of anything lemon so have tried lots of lemon cake recipes.... this is by far the best! Used Tiptree lemon curd which was lovely, and I used the extra self raising flour rather than polenta and the result was absolutely delicious!

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• Katharine

  22 February 2009

  Katharine rated and commented on this recipe

  

  This is delish! The lemon curd pockets in the cake mixture are absolutely gorgeous! My only slip up was using normal polenta rather than the fine stuff which affected the texture somewhat, but for a complete novice I was very proud of the result!

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• Brownie

  26 February 2009

  Brownie rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Absolutely gorgeous and super-lemony. Loved the different textures of zesty cake, gooey lemon curd and slightly crunchy sugar topping. I had some ground almonds that needed using up so I used half ground almonds and half polenta. I used a coarse polenta rather than fine and it worked out OK, adding a bit of bite to the cake. Highly recommended.

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• pauline1245

  26 February 2009

  pauline1245 commented on this recipe

  after reading these reviews I can't wait to try this recipe! I'll let you know how I get on.....

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• Miss Moo

  20 June 2009

  Miss Moo rated and commented on this recipe

  

  I love this cake, my friends love it and I'm constantly asked at work to make it. I like to add a small handful of poppy seeds in the mix too to give it texture.

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• tricia

  13 August 2009

  tricia rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Very lemony and moist. Family thought it was better than my other lemon drizzle cakes which they loved as well. Served it warm with creme fraiche. All gone in one sitting.

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• tartandlard

  29 August 2009

  tartandlard rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Made the cake and it turned out unbelievable good. Moist, tasty and very light... Superb!

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• shelagh

  21 September 2009

  shelagh rated this recipe

  

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• JustJaki

  25 October 2009

  JustJaki rated and commented on this recipe

  

  Despite only having 2 lemons & forgetting to buy the lemon curd the cake was delicious with the polenta(I have never used before but was really yum) and lemon crunchy topping. I will try it again soon when I remember to buy more lemons & the curd :o)

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• greenlung

  18 November 2009

  greenlung rated and commented on this recipe

  

  This is a fantastic cake, would really recommend this. There is a battle with the kids when we make this about to Curd or not to Curd, and how much is right. But this is so dependable, and a favourite with all.

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Ingredients

• 200g butter , well softened, plus extra
• 200g golden caster sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 100g fine polenta or fine cornmeal
• 140g self-raising flour
• zest 3 lemons

FOR THE SWIRL AND DRIZZLE

• 4 tbsp lemon curd
• 5 tbsp golden or white caster sugar
• zest and juice 1 lemon

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Difficulty and servings

Makes 18 fingers

Preparation and cooking times

Prep 15 mins

Cook 40 mins

Ingredients

• 200g butter , well softened, plus extra
• 200g golden caster sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 100g fine polenta or fine cornmeal
• 140g self-raising flour
• zest 3 lemons

FOR THE SWIRL AND DRIZZLE

• 4 tbsp lemon curd
• 5 tbsp golden or white caster sugar
• zest and juice 1 lemon

PER SERVING

214 kcalories, protein 3g, carbohydrate 27g, fat 11 g, saturated fat 6g, fibre 0g, salt 0.3 g

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