Don't Be Scared: Grape & Pine Nut Breakfast Cake



When I told my husband I baked a cake with grapes for breakfast, he said "a cake with what?".

Don't be scared, you heard correctly, I said "grapes". I know, a little strange.

Remember, I am the queen of roasting grapes with my vegetables (Brussels sprouts; Cauliflower; Butternut squash), so you know this recipe would appeal to me.

This is a great cake for your Sunday morning breakfast or late afternoon coffee break, since it's not too sweet, the sweetness comes mostly from the grapes. There is no butter, it uses healthy olive oil instead, and it is the quickest little cake I have ever put together.

I have seen a lot of Concord grapes at the late farmer's market, and grapes are always available throughout the year, though they taste best right about now.

Don't be tempted to use green grapes, they won't work in this.

I am sure somewhere along the way this has to be of Italian descent, but has been translated into English (it's like an Etruscan breakfast bread).



Grape & Pine Nut Breakfast Cake: (adapated from Rozanne Gold's original recipe)

2 eggs
1/4 cup of whole milk
1/2 cup of olive oil (plus some for brushing the pan)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
zest of 1 lemon
1 1/2 cups of self rising flour (I used all purpose flour)
big handful of black or red seedless grapes (I prefer the black grapes)
2 tbsp pine nuts
1 tbsp raw sugar for the top

Brush a small 8" tart pan w/ removable bottom with some olive oil.

Mix all the ingredients together, except for the grapes and nuts.

Spread batter into pan and place whole grapes in a nice pattern, pushing them halfway into the batter.



Sprinkle w/ the pine nuts and tablespoon of raw sugar.



Bake in a 350F oven for about 40 minutes until golden.



Let rest in the pan 15 minutes before removing the outer ring.

This was one of those top 10 cakes that I will be making again and again.
My dad and husband loved it (my cake testers!).

Comments

This sounds delicious! I make Concord grape muffins and I just sent my hubby to the market to search for some.
LuLu said…
I just made this wonderful little cake! So easy and so delicious!!!
Ben said…
Stacey, everything about this is wonderful! I have never understood why grapes are not more widely accepted in desserts. (I made a fruit salad pie once - a natural use of grapes for a dessert - and people liked everything except the grapes.) Kudos for using them, and so beautifully.

Ben
http://kissthecook-ben.blogspot.com/
Joanne said…
I really need to get some of these concord grapes into my life...I keep hearing so many good things about them!
Ciao Chow Linda said…
Stacey - I don't think this sounds weird. The Italians make a kind of foccaccia with grapes called a schiacciata - this reminds me of it somewhat.
I don't think it's weird either, I need to try this!
The JR said…
As long as they were seedless sounds okay to me.
Dana said…
This is so pretty. I just started working with someone who is dairy intolerant and when I brought in a big pan of brownies the other day, I realized it's time to start baking with olive oil once in a while. I totally read this as a cake with grape nuts. Must be time to go to bed...
Okay Stacey, now you've done it, causing me to detour and make this cake. I guess I should thank you and not chide you. Looks delicious!
Oui Chef said…
I am ALL over this bad boy.....gorgeous!
3LittleMonkeys said…
I must have led a sheltered life. Because its only been recent that I have seen recipes with cooked grapes in them. I can't wait to make an attempt at this.
Anonymous said…
I've been thinking about trying this cake since you posted it, but haven't had a chance to get grapes (left out the pine nuts as I have to share with my 3 year old who is not a fan of nuts). Brilliantly simple, quick and tasty. Thanks so much for posting it. I'm really enjoying your blog!
Anonymous said…
I've been thinking about trying this cake since you posted it, but haven't had a chance to get grapes (left out the pine nuts as I have to share with my 3 year old who is not a fan of nuts). Brilliantly simple, quick and tasty. Thanks so much for posting it. I'm really enjoying your blog!