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grape cake recipe

Grape Cake Recipe

This delicous cake gets its unique flavors from olive oil, muscat and fresh grapes.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword bertolina cake, grape cake
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Servings 1 Angel food pan

Ingredients

  • 4 Cups AP Flour (500 g / 18 oz)
  • 2 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 2/3 Cups Sugar (330 g / 12 oz)
  • 3/4 Cup Unsalted Butter (1 1/2 Sticks) (170 g / 6 oz )
  • 1/3 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (80 ml)
  • 2 teaspoon Freshly grated Lemon zest
  • 2 teaspoon Freshly grated Orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla bean paste
  • 4 Large Eggs
  • 1 3/4 Cups Carte Or Muscat de Beaumes de Venise wine at room temperature (420ml)
  • 1/2 Cup Seedless red grapes washed and halved lengthwise (100 g / 3.5 oz)

Sugar Crust Topping

  • 5 TBSP Unsalted butter, soften (70 g / 3 oz)
  • 1/3 Cup Sugar (70 g / 3 oz)
  • Seedless red grapes washed and halved lengthwise (100 g / 3.5 oz)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F and grease an angel food cake or 2 x 8 " round pans.

  2. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside.

  3. Place the butter, sugar, olive oil, and zests in a bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium-high until you have a light and fluffy mix.

  4. Add the eggs one at a time, waiting for each to fully incorporate before adding the next. Scrapes the sides and bottom of the bowl.

  5. Add the flour in three additions alternating with the wine.

  6. Pour batter into the pan(s) and dot with the grapes on top.

  7. Bake in the middle rack for 20 minutes (15 for 8" pans)

  8. While the cake is baking, mix the butter and sugar using a spoon until it is smooth.

  9. At the end of the 20 minutes, remove the cake from the oven and dot the topping mix, followed by the grapes.

  10. Reduce oven temperature to 350F and bake for 35-40 minutes longer or until a wooden skewer comes out clean from the center of the cake.

Recipe Notes

  • This delicious cake is a pound cake and can be mixed using a stand mixer or a large bowl of an electric mixer.
  • Use a tube pan (angel food pan) with a removable bottom for this cake. Or two 8-inch pans lined with parchment paper.
  • Feel free to experiment with different grape varieties to create unique flavor profiles. Try thomcord, champagne, or even a combination of red and green grapes.
  • There is no need to cut tiny grapes; larger grapes might sink to the bottom of the pan if whole. 
  • Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant finishing touch.
  • Serve slices of Torta Bertolina with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato for a decadent treat.