Concord Grape Layer Cake Food

HARVEST GRAPE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• Make the batter: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until they lighten in color, 8 to 10 minutes. Slowly add the eggs, milk and 1/4 cup olive oil. Remove the bowl from the mixer and stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture.
• Thoroughly grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform cake pan with the extra butter. Pour the batter into the pan.
• Meanwhile, in a small skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil followed by 1 cup halved grapes. Saute for 1 to 2 minutes, then stud them into the top of cake batter, skin-side up in an even layer. Place cake in the center of the oven. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Meanwhile, slice the remaining grapes into medium thick slices. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the honey in a small saute pan. Bring to a light simmer over low heat. When it bubbles, about 2 to 3 minutes, add the sliced grapes and the lemon juice. Remove from the heat and pour over the cake. Serve with whipped cream.

WARM GRAPE CAKE

Steps:

• This cake is very simple to put together but you have to respect 1 rule: temperature. It is critical that the butter, eggs, milk and olive oil all be at room temperature when you begin making this batter.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Using an electric hand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar in a large bowl until they lighten in color, about 5 to 8 minutes. Slowly beat in the eggs and lemon zest. Sift 1 1/2 cups flour over the bowl and add the baking powder and salt, gently folding to combine. Add in the olive oil and milk, stirring to combine. In a separate bowl, toss the raisins and about 1 cup of the grapes with the remaining 1 tablespoon of sifted flour. Add the fruit to the cake batter and stir only enough to blend.
• Thoroughly grease the bottom and sides of the cake pan with some extra softened butter. Pour the batter into the pan and slide it into the center of the oven. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool. Detach the outside of the springform pan, using the bottom as a plate for the cake to finish cooling.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the cream, confectioners' sugar and almond extract until soft peaks form. Set the topping aside.
• Add the honey to a small saute pan and bring it to a light simmer over low heat. Once it bubbles, thickens and turns light brown after about 2 to 3 minutes, add in the grated ginger and remaining grapes. Switch off the heat and allow the glaze to cool. Serve slices of the cake with some of the grape-ginger mixture spooned over and a dollop of the whipped cream.

CONCORD GRAPE JELLY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan combine grape juice, lemon juice, butter, and pectin. Bring mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Keep stirring and bring mixture to a rolling boil and boil hard for no longer than 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and skim foam if necessary. Ladle hot jelly into hot sterilized jars leaving 1/4-inch head space. Adjust 2-piece caps. Process 5 minutes in hot boiling water canner.