Chocolate and Orange Polenta Squares

Chocolate and Orange Polenta Squares text

Makes 20 small squares

It’s no secret that chocolate and orange is one of my all time favourite combos, so of course I think this slice is rather nice! I’ve updated the recipe from the original with some new pics and of course, a Thermomix conversion.

Making this slice requires some patience, not because it’s technically challenging but because there’s some chilling required, but it’s all good, because while your slice chills, you can too! The trick, here is to wait for the chocolate to well and truly set, unless you like your squares deconstructed. I’m not judging, just sayin’!

These squares are just delightful with the zestiness of the orange, the bitterness of the dark chocolate and the sweetness of the glaze – it really is a taste trifecta! There’s all kinds of textures going on too, with the chocolate base, the polenta-y almond cake and the melt in the mouth glaze. I promise you, this is one time when it really is hip to be square!

Ingredients – Traditional

180g dark eating chocolate, melted

120g sour cream

100g caster sugar

90g unsalted butter, softened

150g self-raising flour

85g polenta

40g ground almonds

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind

FOR THE ORANGE GLAZE

80g  pure icing sugar, sifted

½ teaspoon finely grated orange rind

1-2  tablespoons orange juice

How to – Traditional

  1.  Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan-forced. Grease 20cm x 30 cm ) rectangular pan and line base and long sides with baking paper. Top with a strip of foil, extending it 5 cm over the sides.
  2. Spread melted chocolate evenly over  the foil base of pan. Put in the fridge for about 10 minutes or until firmly set.
  3. Then,  beat sour cream, sugar and butter in small bowl with electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add sifted flour, polenta, almonds and lemon rind. Beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes or until  the mixture is paler in colour. Spread the batter over chocolate.
  4. Bake for about 25 minutes. Cool the slice in pan for about 10 minutes, then refrigerate (placing a tea towel under the still warm tin) for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate sets.
  5. When the chocolate has set, make the orange glaze by simply mixing  all the ingredients in a small bowl.
  6. Carefully turn  the slice top side down onto a board; then carefully remove the foil and paper from the base. Turn the slice top side up and spread slice with the glaze.
  7. Refrigerate until set before cutting into squares.

Chocolate and Orange Polenta Squares 3

Ingredients – Thermomix

180g dark eating chocolate, melted

40g raw almonds

100g raw sugar

120g sour cream

90g unsalted butter, softened

150g self-raising flour

85g polenta

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind

FOR THE ORANGE GLAZE

80g  pure icing sugar, sifted

½ teaspoon finely grated orange rind

1-2  tablespoons orange juice

How to – Thermomix

  1.  Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan-forced. Grease 20cm x 30 cm ) rectangular pan and line base and long sides with baking paper. Top with a strip of foil, extending it 5 cm over the sides.
  2. Spread melted chocolate evenly over  the foil base of pan. Put in the fridge for about 10 minutes or until firmly set.
  3. Mill 40g raw almonds in TM for 8 seconds  on speed 7. Set aside.
  4. Add raw sugar to TM bowl and mill for 3 seconds  on speed 9.
  5. Insert butterfly and add sour cream and butter and mix for 30 seconds  on speed 4. Scrape down sides of bowl and repeat for another 30 seconds  on speed 4. Remove butterfly.
  6. Add  flour, polenta, almonds and lemon rind. Mix for 10 seconds  on speed 4. Scrape down sides of bowl and repeat for another 10 seconds  on speed 4.
  7. Spread the batter over chocolate.
  8. Bake for about 25 minutes. Cool the slice in pan for about 10 minutes, then refrigerate (placing a tea towel under the still warm tin) for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate sets.
  9. When the chocolate has set, make the orange glaze by simply mixing all the ingredients in a small bowl.
  10. Carefully turn  the slice top side down onto a board; then carefully remove the foil and paper from the base. Turn the slice top side up and spread slice with the glaze.
  11. Refrigerate until set before cutting into squares.

Other info

Prep and Cooking time: 45 minutes (+refrigeration)

To store… Store squares in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Chocolate and Orange Polenta Squares 2