EASY GRAPE CAKE – TORTA BERTOLINA, simple cake, traditional Cremascan recipe, leavened cake with seasonal fruit, delicious for breakfast or snack.
The other day my neighbor rang my doorbell with a basket of freshly picked Concord grapes from the countryside and said to me: ‘This is good stuff, you have to make the Bertolina like we used to!’ So how could I say no? I immediately got to work and prepared the easy grape cake – Torta Bertolina, a traditional Cremascan cake that every year in September-October smells of harvest and home.
What I love about this cake is its simplicity: few ingredients, a soft dough that envelops the sweet and fragrant grapes, and a result that conquers everyone at the first bite. It’s the classic easy and quick dessert to serve on Sunday after lunch or at breakfast, perhaps with a nice cappuccino, but it’s also perfect for a snack, cut into slices and accompanied by a hot tea.
The grape cake – Torta Bertolina comes in two versions: the more traditional one, with yeast that requires some patience for leavening, and the more practical one with baking powder, ready in no time. I, who was in a hurry, chose the latter, but both are delicious and maintain the spirit of a homemade sweet from the past.
It is a cake that tells stories of harvest, of families gathered, and of kitchen made with heart. No need for kitchen robots or complicated equipment: just a bowl, a spatula, and a great desire to taste a piece of tradition.
If you have never tried the Cremascan grape cake, I assure you it’s worth it: fragrant, soft, and rich in Concord grapes, it instantly brings joy to the table.
An autumn traditional cake that can be made with a bowl and a spatula, without a mixer, but also without eggs and butter, you can decide how to proceed.
Follow me in the kitchen today, there’s the grape cake – Torta Bertolina.
Published
16 September 2018 18:33
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Rest time: 2 Hours
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 8 pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Fall
Ingredients
- 6 oz all-purpose flour
- 2.5 oz white cornmeal (fioretto type)
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1.7 oz extra virgin olive oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 pinch salt
- 2/3 lbs Concord grapes
- 0.2 oz fresh yeast
Steps
Pour the flours into a bowl, then add a pinch of salt, the sugar, the crumbled yeast, and the oil. I used extra virgin olive oil because I didn’t have vegetable oil.
Mix with a wooden spoon and add the water a little at a time.
You will get a soft and creamy mixture, mix well then cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for an hour in the turned-off oven with the light on.
Then separate the grapes from the stems and wash them carefully taking care not to break them, pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
After the resting time, take the dough, add the grapes mixing carefully, taking care not to break them.
Then pour the mixture into a 9-inch cake pan lined with parchment paper, then add a few more grapes and let it rest for about an hour.
Preheat the oven to 350°F, sprinkle the dough with some granulated sugar if you prefer, and bake for about 30-40 minutes.
If you use a smaller and taller cake pan, it will take more time to bake, do a toothpick test before taking it out of the oven.
Bon appétit.
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EASY GRAPE CAKE – TORTA BERTOLINA
Extra tips
👉 If you love rustic cakes, you can enrich the dough with whole wheat flour or brown sugar.
👉 A sprinkle of powdered sugar at the end makes it even more delicious.
👉 For an extra touch, try serving it warm with a scoop of ice cream.
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FAQ EASY GRAPE CAKE – TORTA BERTOLINA
What is the torta bertolina?
It is a typical cake of Crema, prepared in autumn with Concord grapes.
Can another type of grape be used?
Tradition calls for Concord grapes, but they can be replaced with sweet, seedless black grapes.
Is it better to use yeast or baking powder?
It depends on the time you have: with yeast, the result is fluffier, with baking powder it’s quicker.
Does it keep well?
Yes, it stays soft for a couple of days if covered, but it’s even better the next day.
Is it suitable for breakfast?
Absolutely yes, it’s excellent in the morning with milk, coffee, or tea.
