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!
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 that delivers just the right hint of citrusy flavor and decorated with beautiful, edible flowers, this grapefruit vanilla cake looks like it took hours to make. Tiny poppy seeds and vanilla bean specks add delicate texture to each bite.
From simplicity to flavor to texture, this dessert if full of surprises, and is the perfect blend of complimentary tastes and features. You and your guests will be glad you gave it a try!
Accidentally over-baked your cake? No worries! Follow this tutorial to make your cake moist after baking.
What did you think of my unique bundt cake recipe? If you gave it a try, let me know in the comments!
Grapefruit Vanilla Cake
Ingredients
- Zest of 1 grapefruit
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup grapefruit juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2/3 cup canola oil
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- edible flowers - optional
Icing:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons grapefruit juice - or enough to reach desired consistency
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla powder - or 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- 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.Zest of 1 grapefruit, 1 cup sugar
- Whisk in the buttermilk, grapefruit juice, vanilla and eggs, until smooth.1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup grapefruit juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 large eggs
- 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.1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, 2/3 cup canola oil, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let it sit and cool.
- In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with the grapefruit juice and vanilla and 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).1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons grapefruit juice, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla powder
- Drizzle the icing over the cake and decorate with edible flowers. Serve!
Equipment
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Looking for dinner ideas? Try our Beef Tenderloin with Bourbon & Mushroom Sauce