Italian Recipes

Grapes and Cornmeal Cake (Torta Bertolina)

Published
Feb 7, 2025
Reading time
2 min
Collection
Italian Recipes
Start cooking Add a note

Private editorial report

What needs our attention?

Only needed if you would like the site operator to ask a follow-up question.

Community taste test

How much did you love this recipe?

—/ 5 Be the first to rate

Tap a heart to leave your rating.

Category: Desserts
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantity
Grapes (preferably strawberry grapes) 600g
Corn flour (fine) 150g
All-purpose flour (00) 350g
Sugar 20g
Fresh brewer’s yeast 15g
Water 410g
Fine salt A pinch
Extra virgin olive oil 10g
Sugar (for topping) 25g

Instructions

  1. Begin by sifting the all-purpose flour (00) into a large bowl. Add the corn flour and crumble the fresh brewer’s yeast with your hands into the same bowl.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients together thoroughly.
  3. Gradually pour in the water while continuing to knead the dough in the bowl. Keep adding water until you achieve a very hydrated, semi-liquid consistency. The dough should be wet and sticky.
  4. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set it aside to rise for an hour.
  5. Meanwhile, take the grapes and remove the individual berries from the stems. Gently rinse and dry them using a clean kitchen towel.
  6. After the dough has risen for an hour, uncover it and gently stir it with a spatula.
  7. Once the dough has completed its rise, take it out and transfer it to a surface using a dough scraper or similar tool.
  8. Sprinkle 25g of sugar evenly over the top of the dough.
  9. Now, the Torta Bertolina is ready to bake! Transfer it to a baking dish, ensuring an even distribution of grapes throughout the dough. The combination of the moist dough and sweet, juicy grapes will create a wonderfully flavorful cake.

Baking

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
  • Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until the surface is golden and the center is cooked through.

Serving

  • Once baked, allow the Torta Bertolina to cool before serving. Enjoy this delicious, slightly sweet, and fruit-filled dessert with a perfect balance of textures.

Torta Bertolina is a delightful, fruit-based cake that’s perfect for any occasion. The use of fresh grapes provides a burst of flavor, while the unique texture of the dough makes it both moist and satisfying. Whether served for a family gathering or as a special treat, this dessert is sure to please everyone at the table. Enjoy!