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    In the Kitch » Recipes » Dessert

    Updated: Sep 21, 2024 · Published: Nov 7, 2018 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Grapefruit Vanilla Cake

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    Looking for a unique cake to serve at the next bridal shower, night in with friends, or even just a family dinner? This zesty grapefruit vanilla cake is bursting with mouthwatering flavor and luscious texture!

    Grapefruit Vanilla Cake with lavender on clear glass plate and white background.

    This unique twist on lemon poppy seed cake is sure to please even the most dedicated dessert traditionalists. With just the right amount of smooth vanilla to balance the bright flavors of grapefruit, this cake is the perfect kind of sweet. Everyday ingredients make this cake a cinch to whip up.

    Frosted in simple, elegant white icing infused with grapefruit juice, delivers just the right hint of citrusy flavor that is more mild than lemon juice.

    Decorated with beautiful, edible flowers, this grapefruit cake looks like it took hours to make but it's as quick as my Christmas coffee cake. Tiny poppy seeds and vanilla bean specks add delicate texture to each bite.

    I also make this electric skillet yogurt cake and chocolate mug cake you might like.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Grapefruit Vanilla Cake
    • Joss' Tips
    • Grapefruit Vanilla Cake FAQs
    • More Dessert Recipes to Consider
    • 📋Recipe

    Ingredients

    Grapefruit cake ingredients prepped and labeled.
    • pink grapefruit - Zested and juiced. A ripe grapefruit will have a vibrant, consistent color that ranges from yellow to a deep pink or red. The skin of a ripe grapefruit should be smooth and firm, but slightly springy to the touch. Avoid grapefruit that feels too hard or has a rough, shriveled skin.
    • buttermilk - If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make your own with 1 cup milk (whole, 2%, or skim) and 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar. Add the lemon juice or vinegar to the milk, stir, and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it curdles slightly.
    • vanilla extract - Plus some vanilla powder (optional but recommended).
    • flour - You can use all-purpose flour or cake flour.
    • baking powder + baking soda - Leavening agent.
    • canola oil - Can also use avocado oil or safflower oil.
    • poppy seeds - The seeds add a slight crunch to the cake in every bite.
    • edible flowers - Optional. They will give your cake aesthetic appeal, adding elegance and sophistication as well as enhanced flavor. I highly recommend using them. Lavender, for example, adds a subtle floral note.

    *Check recipe card for full ingredient amounts.

    How to Make Grapefruit Vanilla Cake

    Grapefruit zest and sugar in bowl.

    Step 1. Heat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Butter and flour a bundt cake pan. In a bowl, combine the grapefruit zest and sugar and rub with your fingers until it looks like wet sand.

    Eggs and buttermilk in bowl.

    Step 2. Whisk in the buttermilk, grapefruit juice, vanilla and eggs, until smooth.

    Grapefruit cake batter in bowl with poppy seeds.

    Step 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients into the buttermilk mixture. Then, add the oil and poppy seeds and mix until combined.

    Grapefruit cake batter in bundt pan.

    Step 4. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 to 60 minutes. Let it sit and cool in the pan for 10 minutes before flipping it over onto a baking rack to finish cooling.

    Grapefruit juice and icing sugar in bowl.

    Step 5. In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with the grapefruit juice and vanilla and whisk until you get a smooth icing.

    Grapefruit cake getting drizzled with icing.

    Step 6. Drizzle the icing over the cake and decorate with edible flowers.

    Chef's Note: You can add a bit more or less grapefruit juice depending on how thick you like the icing.

    Grapefruit vanilla cake cut open on clear glass plate.

    Step 7. Serve!

    Joss' Tips

    • Accidentally over-baked your cake? No worries! Follow this tutorial to make your cake moist after baking.
    • Make your own Vanilla Powder. It's easy, fun and any leftover vanilla powder will last ages in the cupboard. It will add some luxuriousness to your cake, making it extra fancy for your dinner party or bridal shower.

    Grapefruit Vanilla Cake FAQs

    How long can you store grapefruit cake at room temperature?

    This cake can be stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days.

    How long can you refrigerate it?

    It keeps in the fridge for up to 7 days.

    Can you freeze it?

    Yes! Once cooled, cover it well with plastic wrap and place into a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.

    Grapefruit cake with grapefruit icing and edible flowers on clear glass plate.

    More Dessert Recipes to Consider

    • Papaya cream with cassis in wine glass.
      Papaya Cream
    • Skillet s'mores with colored marshmallows stacked on plate.
      Easy Skillet S’mores
    • Grasshopper pie in white pie plate.
      Grasshopper Pie
    • Valentine's Day cake slice on white plate with fresh strawberry slices.
      Valentine's Day Red Velvet Sheet Cake

    If you tried this Grapefruit Vanilla Cake Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Grapefruit cake with dried edible flowers and icing drizzle.

    Grapefruit Vanilla Cake

    Joss Dyckson
    This zesty, grapefruit vanilla cake is bursting with mouthwatering flavor and luscious texture! A unique twist on lemon poppy seed cake is sure to please even the most dedicated dessert traditionalists.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 45 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 353 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the Cake

    • 1 grapefruit - zested
    • 1 cup sugar
    • ½ cup buttermilk
    • ½ cup grapefruit juice - freshly squeezed
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla powder - or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • ⅔ cup canola oil
    • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
    • edible flowers - optional

    For the Icing

    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 2 teaspoons grapefruit juice - or enough to reach desired consistency
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder - or ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Butter and flour a bundt cake pan. In a large bowl, combine the grapefruit zest and sugar and rub with your fingers until it looks like wet sand.
      Grapefruit zest and sugar in bowl.
    • Whisk in the buttermilk, grapefruit juice, vanilla and eggs, until smooth.
      Eggs and buttermilk in bowl.
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients into the buttermilk mixture. Then, add the oil and poppy seeds and mix until combined.
      Grapefruit cake batter in bowl with poppy seeds.
    • Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 to 60 minutes.
      Grapefruit cake batter in bundt pan.
    • Let it sit and cool in the pan for 10 minutes before flipping it over onto a baking rack to finish cooling.
    • In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with the grapefruit juice and vanilla. Whisk until you get a smooth icing (you can add a bit more or less grapefruit juice depending on how thick you like the icing).
      Grapefruit juice and icing sugar in bowl.
    • Drizzle the icing over the cake and decorate with edible flowers. Serve!
      Grapefruit cake getting drizzled with icing.

    Equipment

    • Bundt cake pan

    Notes

    • Make your own Vanilla Powder.
    • This cake can be stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the fridge for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    • A ripe grapefruit will have a vibrant, consistent color that ranges from yellow to a deep pink or red. The skin of a ripe grapefruit should be smooth and firm, but slightly springy to the touch. Avoid grapefruit that feels too hard or has a rough, shriveled skin.
    • If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make your own with 1 cup milk (whole, 2%, or skim) and 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar. Add the lemon juice or vinegar to the milk, stir, and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it curdles slightly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 353kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 283mgPotassium: 112mgSugar: 28gVitamin A: 90IUVitamin C: 3.5mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 1.5mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

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    I am the creator and editor of In the Kitch. I am inviting you on this food journey with me to learn, grow and bring out that inner chef in you. I hope to inspire you to get creative in your own kitchen!

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