Torta Al Vino With Grapes Or Berries Recipes

TORTA D'UVA: GRAPE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the flour on a worktable. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the olive oil, yeast, eggs, 1/4 cup sugar, grappa, and 1/2 the grapes. Combine the ingredients together and knead until the mixture becomes an even dough. If necessary, add a little more flour to absorb all the liquids.
• Roll out the dough to a 1/2-inch thickness. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread the dough on the tray. Add the remaining grapes and squish some of the grapes to release the juices, while leaving the others whole. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake for approximately 30 minutes.

TORTA DI VINO ROSSO (RED WINE CAKE)

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar in stand mixer. When light and fluffy, add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and wine.
• In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and cocoa powder. Add flour mixture to mixer bowl, 1/3 at a time, running on low and pausing while adding dry ingredients. Mix until well-blended. Remove bowl from mixer. Add chocolate and fold in by hand.
• Spray one 10 1/2-inch or 2 9-inch cake pans with butter-and-flour baking spray, or butter and dust with cocoa powder. Pour batter into pan(s).
• Bake in preheated 350F oven for 35-40 minutes or until skewer inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack until completely cool. If made as a single layer, dust top with confectioner's sugar in a small sieve. Serve with small glasses of a red dessert wine.

TORTA AL VINO WITH GRAPES OR BERRIES

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375°. Assemble the springform pan; butter and flour the insides.
• Sift or stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• With the mixer on low speed, cream the butter and sugar together in a big bowl; when blended, beat on high speed for a couple of minutes, until smooth and light. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well at moderate speed, then mix in the olive oil, the vanilla, and the citrus zest. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes or so, to lighten and smooth the batter.
• Scrape down the sides and, at low speed, mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with the wine. Add a third of each at a time, and beat for a few seconds before the next addition. When everything's been incorporated, scrape the sides (and bottom) of the bowl, and beat on high speed for about 20 seconds to finish the batter.
• Pour and scrape all the batter into the cake pan, and spread it in an even layer. Sprinkle a teaspoon of flour over the grapes, and toss so they're all lightly dusted. Scatter the grapes over the surface of the batter. Swirl a spatula or knife around them, folding and stirring them into the top of the batter-don't fold or swirl deeper than an inch. The fruits don't need to be completely covered, because they will sink as the cake rises.
• Set the pan in the oven, and bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is set, though the batter underneath will still be loose and will shake. Carefully take the cake out of the oven-or just bring it to the front of the rack, where you can reach it-and scatter the butter bits and then the sugar on the top.
• Return the cake to the oven, and bake another 15 minutes or so-a total of 40 minutes or more-until the cake is set and the top is golden brown and lightly glazed by the final sugar and butter. Test doneness by inserting a cake tester or toothpick into the middle to see if it comes out clean. Remove from the oven to a cooling rack.
• Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes, then open the spring and remove the side ring. Let the cake cool thoroughly before serving. Remove the metal pan bottom, if you want, after an hour or so, when you can handle the cake: lay a piece of parchment or wax paper on the cake top (so the pretty surface doesn't get messed up), then a plate or a wire rack. Flip the cake over; pry and lift off the pan bottom. Invert the cake again, onto a rack if it needs to cool further, or onto a serving plate.
• Serve at room temperature, sliced into wedges. I love the cake plain with just a dusting of powdered sugar, or garnish it with whipped cream.