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Cornmeal cake is one of the most traditional and beloved recipes in Brazilian cuisine. It is simple, fluffy and has that childhood flavor that wins everyone over. If you are looking for a practical and quick way to prepare this delicious cake, the Airfryer is the perfect solution! Instead of heating the oven and waiting for long minutes, the Airfryer can bake your cornmeal cake in about 20 minutes, maintaining its fluffy texture and wonderful flavor. Let's learn how to prepare this delicious and practical recipe?
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (tea) of cornmeal
- 1 cup (tea) of wheat flour
- 1/2 cup (tea) of sugar
- 1/2 cup (tea) of oil (can be sunflower, canola or olive oil)
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup (tea) of milk
- 1 tablespoon (soup) baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence (optional, but makes the cake more aromatic)
- 1/4 cup (tea) of grated cheese (optional, to give a special and tastier touch to the cake)
Directions:
- Preparing the Dough: In a bowl, add the cornmeal, wheat flour, sugar and salt. Mix these dry ingredients well. If you are going to add grated cheese, this is the time to add it. The cheese will give it a special touch, making the cornmeal cake even more delicious.
- Mixing the Liquid Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs with the oil and vanilla essence (if using). When the mixture is smooth, add the milk and mix well.
- Bringing the Ingredients Together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the liquid mixture, stirring until the batter is smooth and lump-free. The batter should be creamy and a little thicker, which is typical of cornmeal cakes.
- Adding the Yeast: Finally, add the baking powder and mix gently to incorporate it into the batter. The baking powder will help the cake rise and become fluffy.
- Preparing the Form: Grease the pan with oil and sprinkle a little wheat flour or cornmeal to prevent the cake from sticking. The pan should be small enough to fit inside the Airfryer basket, about 15 to 20 cm in diameter.
- Baking in the Airfryer: Pour the batter into the greased pan and place it in the Airfryer basket. Set the temperature to 180°C and the cooking time for 20-25 minutes. The time may vary depending on the model of your Airfryer, so after 20 minutes, do the toothpick test: stick a toothpick in the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready! If not, leave it in for a few more minutes.
- Unmolding: Carefully remove the cake from the Airfryer and let it cool slightly before unmolding. The cornmeal cake can be served warm or cold, depending on your preference.
- Finalization: If desired, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on top of the cake for a finishing touch. Cornmeal cake also goes great with a cup of coffee or tea, especially on colder days.
Tips and Variations:
- Cornmeal Cake with Coconut: To give your cake a more tropical flavor, add 1/2 cup shredded coconut to the dough. The coconut makes the cake even more moist and tasty.
- Cornmeal and Fennel Cake: A classic variation on cornmeal cake is to add 1 teaspoon fennel to the dough. The aroma and delicate flavor of fennel combine perfectly with cornmeal and bring a new dimension to the cake.
- Lactose Free: If you need a lactose-free version, simply replace regular milk with coconut milk or plant-based milk, such as almond or soy milk.
- Gluten Free Version: For a gluten-free version, swap the wheat flour for a gluten-free flour blend (such as rice flour, cornstarch, and cornmeal) and make sure the baking powder is also gluten-free.
How to serve:
Cornmeal cake is perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. It goes very well with a fresh cup of coffee, a tea or even a natural juice. For those who like something sweeter, it can be served with guava paste, a traditional combination of flavors. The cake is also great to accompany a black coffee, creating a perfect contrast between the sweet flavor of the cake and the bitterness of the coffee.
Benefits of Making Cornmeal Cake in the Airfryer:
- Faster and more practical: When using the Airfryer, the time it takes to prepare your cake is considerably reduced, as you don't have to wait for the oven to heat up. In about 20-25 minutes, your cake will be baked and ready to serve.
- Less oil: The Airfryer uses much less oil than a traditional oven, which makes the cake lighter and healthier, without compromising flavor and texture.
- Energy saving: Instead of turning on the oven, which consumes more energy and takes longer to heat up, the Airfryer is more compact and consumes less energy, making the recipe more economical.