This Grape Harvest Celebration Cake showcases a harvest of red grapes, hints of citrus, enriched with olive oil and glazed with honey and Grappa.
Course Cake
Cuisine Mediterranean Fusion
Keyword Grape Harvest Celebration Cake
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 40 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour10 minutesminutes
Servings 10servings
Equipment
9-inch Springform pan
Small saute pan
Whisk
Ingredients
1 1/2cupsAll purpose flour
1/2cupAlmond flour
1/2cupSugar
2tspBaking powder
1/2tspBaking soda
1/2tspSalt
2Large eggsroom temperature
2/3cupRicottaor sour cream
1tbspOrange juice
1tspOrange zest
1/2tspOrange blossom wateroptional
1/4cupExtra virgin olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons
1tbspUnsalted butter
2cupsRed seedless grapes
1/4cupHoney
2tbspGrappa
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350.
Generously butter a 9-inch springform pan. Sprinkle a little of the flour into the pan to dust bottom and sides of the pan. Shake out any excess flour. For extra assurance the cake will come out easily, or try this easy no-stick method using a parchment paper strip. (tutorial above)
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk both flour, baking soda and powder, salt. Set aside.
In a separate large bowl of an electric mixer or bowl with a whisk, whisk the eggs with 1/2 cup of sugar until light in color and slightly thick.
Continue whisking while adding the ricotta, olive oil, zest and juice from the orange, along with the orange blossom water to the egg mixture.
Whisk in the dry ingredients until well blended. The batter will be thick and dense, but remember more juice from the grapes will seep into the batter while baking.
Transfer the batter into the prepared pan by spreading the batter with a wooden spoon.
In a small saucepan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil with 1 cup of halved grapes. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, remove and stud them on the top of the cake batter, skin side up.
Bake until tester comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes.
In the same sauté pan, heat the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil with remaining grapes that have been halved, honey and Grappa. Sauté for a minute or two. Remove and drizzle the liquid across the baked cake, along with the sautéed grapes. Cool and serve.
Video
Notes
As for what type of grapes to use, that is entirely up to you. From table grapes to delicate champagne grapes, each will have their own unique flavor and appearance.