This fragrant and moist cake is not only visually beautiful, it also has the most delicious spiced sweet orange and honey flavour. The cake can be made gluten-free as long as you use a gluten-free baking powder.
For the cake:
Butter, for greasing
8 green cardamom pods
225g ground almonds
100g polenta
1 heaped tsp baking powder
225g caster sugar
225g butter, softened
3 large eggs
Grated zest of 3 large oranges
1 tsp vanilla extract
50g pistachio nuts, roughly chopped
Crème fraîche, to serve
For the syrup:
Juice of 2 large oranges
3 tbsp honey
2 tsp rosewater
20cm diameter springform tin
Pestle and mortar
Medium mixing bowl
Electric hand mixer
Wire rack
Small saucepan