2000s Recipes + Menus

Individual Grape and Vin Santo Cakes

Serves6
  • Active time:20 min
  • Start to finish:50 min
January 2009
In these tender, elegant cakes, the Italian dessert wine Vin Santo contributes intoxicating flavor that’s played up by the addition of plump grapes.

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  • 1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3 plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
  • 2/3 cup Vin Santo or other sweet wine
  • 1 1/4 cups seedless red grapes (7 oz)
  • Equipment:

    a jumbo/Texas muffin pan with 6 large (6- to 8-oz) cups (see cooks’ note, below)
  • Garnish:

    confectioners sugar
  • Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle. Generously butter muffin cups and dust with flour, knocking out excess.
  • Whisk together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Beat butter with 2/3 cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in zest.
  • Add flour mixture in 2 batches alternately with wine, beginning and ending with flour and mixing until just incorporated.
  • Toss grapes with remaining Tbsp flour, then fold into batter.
  • Divide batter among muffin cups. Sprinkle with remaining 2 Tbsp granulated sugar. Bake until golden and springy to the touch, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then loosen with a knife and remove. Cool to warm, 5 to 10 minutes more.
Cooks’ note: Cakes can be baked in 12 (1/3- to 1/2-cup) muffin cups. Baking time will be slightly shorter, 16 to 18 minutes.
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