January 27, 2025

italian grape cake

Italian Grape Cake

When it comes to delightful desserts, you might find Italian Grape Cake to be a hidden gem. This rustic treat combines the sweetness of grapes with zesty citrus, creating a moist and flavorful experience. If you’re curious about its origins and how to make it, you’re in for a treat. The recipe is straightforward, and soon, you could be enjoying this versatile cake at any time of day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re looking for a unique dessert that’s both delicious and easy to make, you’ll love this Italian grape cake. This recipe blends sweet grapes with fragrant orange, almond, and vanilla, creating a delightful flavor combination. Using olive oil instead of butter, the cake remains moist and sumptuous, while ground almonds add texture. The flavor develops best to prepare this cake a day or two in advance, allowing the flavors to develop fully.

You can choose between seeded or seedless grapes and even use red, green, or purple varieties. The fluffy white cake, studded with bursting grapes, looks appealing with additional grapes on top.

Perfect as a dessert or snack, it’s a seasonal delight you won’t want to miss!

History

Italian Grape Cake, known as Torta Bertolina or Schiacciata con l’uva, has deep roots in Italian culture, celebrating the grape harvest each autumn.

This traditional dessert hails from peasant origins, relying on simple, seasonal ingredients that reflect the rhythms of nature. You’ll find variations across Italy, especially in regions like Tuscany and Chianti, where it’s closely tied to local harvest customs. The baking grapes softens them, adding a light and sweet flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cake.

Traditionally made with Canaiola grapes, the cake showcases the natural sweetness of these fruits. Recipes have been passed down orally, emphasizing the importance of family traditions.

During harvest season, the cake’s preparation becomes a way to connect with the land, making it a cherished autumn tradition in many Italian households.

Recipe

Italian Grape Cake is a delightful dessert that celebrates the natural sweetness and flavor of fresh grapes, particularly the luscious Concord variety. This cake is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family gathering, a potluck, or simply a cozy evening at home. Its moist texture and vibrant fruit make it a standout treat, while the hints of citrus and vanilla enhance the overall taste, making each bite a burst of flavor.

This recipe is straightforward and rewarding, allowing bakers of all skill levels to achieve delicious results. With a combination of both wet and dry ingredients, the process of creating this cake is seamless. The baking technique, which involves an initial high temperature followed by a slower bake, guarantees that the cake rises beautifully and retains its moisture. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this Italian classic!

Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup olive oil
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 3 large eggs
– Zest of 1 orange
– Zest of 1 lemon
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
– 2 cups small purple/red grapes (preferably Concord grapes)
– Optional: 1 teaspoon cinnamon
– Optional: Wine or buttermilk as substitutes

Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9-inch springform pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, olive oil, softened butter, orange zest, lemon zest, and vanilla until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Gradually add the eggs to the sugar mixture, incorporating them one at a time. Then, gently fold in the dry ingredients in stages until just combined.
5. If desired, coat the grapes with a bit of flour to prevent them from sinking, then carefully fold the grapes into the batter.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C). After 20 minutes, reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar before serving. It pairs wonderfully with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

For the best results, consider experimenting with different grape varieties to discover your favorite flavor combinations. Remember to use whole grapes, especially the smaller ones, to maintain the cake’s texture.

If you want to add a twist, try incorporating a hint of cinnamon for warmth, or consider substituting wine or buttermilk for a non-alcoholic version. Enjoy the process and the delightful aroma that fills your kitchen while baking this Italian Grape Cake!

Final Thoughts

After enjoying the delicious Italian Grape Cake, you might find yourself wanting to explore more about this delightful dessert.

This cake, originating from Crema, Lombardia, is deeply rooted in Italian culture, celebrating grape harvests each autumn. You can experiment with various recipes, from traditional yeast dough to modern adaptations using different fruits like apples or peaches. The dough for this cake is made using yeast and flour, which contributes to its delightful texture.

Play around with grape placements for unique textures and flavors. Whether served at room temperature as a dessert, breakfast, or snack, its versatility shines.

Remember, this cake reflects a rustic charm, perfect for casual gatherings or formal dinners.

FAQ

Have you ever wondered what goes into making the perfect Italian Grape Cake? To start, you’ll need all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, unsalted butter, olive oil, sugar, eggs, citrus zest, vanilla essence, and, of course, grapes. Small varieties like Concord or champagne grapes work best. Zest from lemons and oranges adds a nice touch. This cake is traditionally made during the grape harvest using small grapes not suitable for pressing.

Some recipes include wine or alternatives like buttermilk.

When preparing, grease a 9-inch springform pan, and beat eggs with sugar until fluffy. Mix in olive oil, milk, and zest before folding in the grapes.

Bake at 350-400°F for 50-60 minutes. Let the cake cool before serving, and feel free to dust it with powdered sugar for an elegant finish!