Italian Grape Cake (Torta Bertolina Recipe)

This Italian Grape Cake Recipe results in a fluffy white cake studded with purple grapes, although you could use red or green grapes as well if you prefer. The grapes burst in the cake, offering bites of sweetness amongst the fluffy cake. This cake makes an excellent dessert or afternoon snack any day of the week.

To make this grape cake, you begin by beating eggs with sugar until it thickens and becomes pale yellow. Then, melted butter, flour, and baking powder get mixed into the egg mixture until a smooth batter forms without any lumps. Next, grapes get folded into the batter before it is poured into a round pan, studded with more grapes, and baked in the oven. The additional grapes on top ensures an attractive appearance.

What is Italian Grape Cake?

This type of cake is commonly an Italian harvest cake when grapes are at their freshest.

Often, this type of cake will have additional flavorings such as citrus zest or cinnamon. However, this cake is a little simpler focusing on the buttery goodness of the cake along with the natural sweetness of the grapes.

Pro Tips

• It is ideal to choose the smallest grapes you can find as they will sit in the cake better.
• Choose seedless grapes to ensure that you won’t have to spit out any seeds as you are eating this cake.
• To determine the doneness of the cake, you can insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake to see if it comes out clean. If the toothpick comes out with some wet batter or sticky crumbs on it, you will know that it needs a few more minutes in the oven.
• If you have to use grapes that have seeds in them, you can cut the grapes in half to remove the seeds before you add them into the batter.
• This cake works well with other fruit such as pitted cherries, blueberries, or raspberries as well.

What to Serve with Italian Grape Cake?

Delicious on its own, all this grape cake needs is a cup of coffee or tea to go alongside it. However, you can also feel free to dust it with powdered sugar if desired. Slices of this cake would also be great with dollops of whipped cream, creme fraiche, or thick Greek yogurt as well.

Is Italian Grape Cake Dairy-Free?

This grape cake isn’t dairy-free as it contains both butter and milk. However, if you would like to make it suitable for those on a dairy-free diet, you could replace the milk with plant-based milk and the butter with plant-based butter. Even olive oil would be an excellent replacement for the butter, and it is a more traditional ingredient in Italian grape cake.

How Can I Prevent the Grapes from Sinking in the Cake?

To prevent the grapes from sinking in the cake, you could dust them with flour before folding them into the cake.

Can I Bake Italian Grape Cake in a Cast Iron Pan?

Yes, you definitely could as long as it is a similar size to the cake pan. It would add a beautiful rustic appearance to the cake and is wonderful to use for baking because it retains even heat.

How to Store Italian Grape Cake

This grape cake will last for up to 1 week in the refrigerator if it is stored in an airtight container. Due to the fact it contains grapes, which may become mouldy at room temperature, it isn’t recommended for it to be stored at room temperature.

Can I Freeze Italian Grape Cake?

Yes, you can! After it has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

How to Make Italian Grape Cake

Step 1: In a bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until thick and pale in color.

Step 2: Beat the butter, milk, flour, and baking powder into the egg mixture until a smooth batter forms.

Step 3: Fold the grapes into the batter.

Step 4: Pour the batter into a 22 cm round cake mold and garnish it with additional grapes. Bake the cake in a 180°C (360°F) oven for 50 minutes.

Step 5: Once cooled, slice and serve.