Moldovan Cornmeal Cake / Alivancă

Directions

1. Boil milk and pour over corn meal in a large bowl. Stir so all the cornmeal is wet.                      

2. Pre-heat oven to medium-high. In a separate bowl, beat sweet cheese together with and ½ c sugar, and egg you until have a smooth paste.

3. Mix this paste with the cornmeal mixture, then mix in 2 Tbs sour cream, the butter, baking powder and salt. Mix until uniform.

4. Grease a cake pan and pour in the mixture. Bake for about 45 minutes or until crust is formed. Then lower heat and bake until it is a golden brown color and a knife comes out of the center clean.

5. While cake cools, mix 1 c sour cream with 3 Tbs sugar. When the cake is cool, cut it into squares and top with cream or sweetened sour cream.  

                                                              

Notes: This traditional cake is wonderful with either fresh or canned cherries. It’s usually served with vanilla powdered sugar or powdered sugar sprinkled on top. Enjoy! For sweet cheese you can use any soft, unsalted cheese.

 

Variations: Try using other fruits such as apricots or peaches, or add a can of fruit, draining the syrup before preparing.