Cornmeal Cakes with Honey and Berries: Dessert for Earth the Board Game

by Ramon Mercado

Ingredients:

Corn Cake: 

• ¾ cup fine cornmeal,
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon table salt 
• 1 ½ cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• ¼ cinnamon (optional)

Cream Cheese whipped cream:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/3 cup white sugar 
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch salt 

Toppings:

• 4 ounces blueberries and strawberries, 
• 2 tablespoons wild honey

Instructions:

Corn cake: 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease cupcake pan or similar pan.
• In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cornmeal together. In a large bowl, whisk 1½ cups sugar, buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract
• Whisk flour mixture into sugar mixture until just combined. Do not overmix. 
• Portion batter into cupcake pan, for about ¼ cup of batter and do not overfill. 
• Bake for about 20 mins, rotating pan to ensure even cooking. Cakes are done when browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
• Let cakes cool for 30 minutes. Remove from the pan and let cool completely in a cooling rack for about 1 hour.  4

Cream Cheese whipped cream

• In a bowl, whisk cream cheese until light and fluffy,
• Add vanilla and beat at medium speed until combined,
• Lower speed to low and slowly add heavy cream; then increase speed to medium-high and beat until soft peaks 
• Cover and refrigerate until slightly firm, at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.

Assembly:

• For each individual cake top with frosting, add berries and a drizzle of wild honey. 

Game Night  Tips

• Cakes can be made ahead of time and wrapped individually in plastic wrap and kept at room temperature. Frosting can be made ahead of time and kept refrigerated until serving.
• Listen to our podcast Earth Board Game Dinner Party to learn about our guest’s experience before and after playing the game.
• Other recipes inspired by this game are: Gaia’s Elixir, smoked pork over tortillas and three sister salad.

Conclusion

It is very gratifying sharing drinks and  food with friends and family and playing a game afterwards makes the experience even better. Give this recipe a try and share your experience and your inspirations too.