Recipe: Winemaker's Grape Cake (using butter and olive oil)

WINEMAKER'S GRAPE CAKE

2 large eggs, at room temperature
2/3 cup sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch sea salt
grated zest of 1 lemon
grated zest of 1 orange
10 ounces fresh, small, purple grapes (such as Grenache, Syrah, Zinfandel, or Cabernet)
confectioners' sugar (for garnish)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan, tapping out any excess flour. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk, beat the eggs and sugar until thick and lemon-colored, about 3 minutes. Add the butter, oil, milk, and vanilla extract, and mix until blended.

Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add the lemon zest and orange zest, and toss to coat the zest with flour. Spoon the mixture into the bowl of batter and stir with a wooden spoon until thoroughly blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix once more. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the flour to absorb the liquids.

Stir about 3/4 of the grapes into the batter. Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth out the top with a spatula.

Place the pan in the center of the oven. Bake for 15 minutes, then sprinkle the top of the cake with the remaining grapes. Bake until the top is a deep golden brown and the cake feels quite firm when pressed with a fingertip, about 40 minutes more, for a total baking time of 55 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool.

After 10 minutes, run a knife along the sides of the pan. Release and remove the side of the springform pan, leaving the cake on the pan base.

Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar just before serving. Serve at room temperature, cut into thin wedges.

Note from source: The original recipe is by Rolando Beramendi at Italy's fine Tuscan estate Capezzana, where this intriguing not-too-sweet cake appears frequently at the table during the fall harvest. Note that the cake is prepared with half butter and half olive oil, producing an unusually light and moist cake.

Servings: 8-12
Source: Patricia Wells at Home in Provence: Recipes Inspired by Her Farmhouse in France by Patricia Wells