Description
Italian grape cake, or torta bertolina, brings rustic charm from Lombardy kitchens. Sweet grapes bake into a tender cake that’s simple, fragrant, and deeply comforting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1¼ cups (295 ml) seedless grapes
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 ml) olive oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (60 g) almond flour
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar
- 1 tsp (5 ml) baking powder
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) vanilla
- powdered sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-inch baking pan with a light grease coating to prevent sticking.
- In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine all dry ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of flour, sugar, and any additional dry components.
- In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk eggs until they become light and frothy, then incorporate oil and vanilla extract, creating a smooth, homogeneous liquid mixture.
- Gently fold the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredient mixture, stirring until just combined to maintain a tender cake texture.
- Reserve a small portion of grapes and carefully fold the majority into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
- Artfully arrange the remaining grapes on top of the batter, creating an attractive and appetizing surface.
- Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, delicately dust the surface with a light layer of powdered sugar, creating an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Ensure grapes are ripe but firm to prevent sinking to the bottom during baking.
- Toss grapes in a light dusting of flour before adding to batter to help them suspend evenly throughout the cake.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the same measurement.
- Cut grapes in half for more distributed flavor and easier slicing if using larger grape varieties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 282 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 142 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1.6 g
- Protein: 4.3 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg