Imagine a cake that's not just a dessert, but a tantalizing journey of citrusy sophistication that will make your taste buds dance with joy! The Brown Derby Grapefruit Cake is more than just a recipe—it's a culinary masterpiece that transforms the humble grapefruit into a show-stopping dessert that will have your friends and family begging for seconds. With its perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, this cake is about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 10 servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup fresh grapefruit juice
- Zest of 1 grapefruit
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan, ensuring even coverage to prevent sticking.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside the dry ingredients.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Ensure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Gradually fold in the dry ingredient mixture, alternating with fresh grapefruit juice. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Stir in the fresh grapefruit zest, which will add a bright, citrusy flavor to the cake batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure even distribution.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the glaze, mix powdered sugar with additional grapefruit juice until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the grapefruit glaze over the top, allowing it to naturally cascade down the sides.
- Let the glaze set for 10-15 minutes before serving. Slice and serve at room temperature.
Tips
- Use fresh grapefruit juice and zest for the most vibrant flavor—bottled juice simply can't compete!
- Make sure your butter is truly softened but not melted to achieve the perfect cake texture.
- Don't overmix the batter; mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake light and tender.
- For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a splash of grapefruit liqueur to the glaze.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing to prevent the sugar from melting too quickly.
- For a beautiful presentation, garnish with thin grapefruit slices or a sprinkle of fresh zest before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 85mg
