Grapefruit Cake with Grapefruit Buttercream

Posted by Jackie

This cake is fresh, bright, with a flavor you can truly appreciate whether you simply love a good grapefruit or have spent a month and unaccountable dollars trying to replicate. This Grapefruit Cake with Grapefruit Buttercream has an original flavor, both clean and pure. After the warm cake emerges from the oven, it is brushed with grapefruit juice which soaks deep into the layers, making an unbelievably moist and tender cake (with just a hint of true tartness). The Grapefruit Buttercream lends a sweeter aspect to this cake. Made with a grapefruit juice reduction, the sourness of the juice balances out the sweetness of the powdered sugar. This cake itself, however, is the true star and is lovely when enjoyed in the afternoon, when the sun is bright and thoughts of spring are on your mind.

Original Recipe and Photos by http://www.pastryaffair.com/blog/2012/3/8/grapefruit-cake-with-grapefruit-buttercream.html

Ingredients:

Amount	Ingredient
1/2 cup	granulated sugar
Zest of 1	grapefruit
2	large eggs
1 cup	plain non-fat Greek yogurt
1/3 cup	light olive oil
1 teaspoon	vanilla extract
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons	freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (about 1 grapefruit)
2 cups	all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon	baking powder
1/4 teaspoon	salt

   

Cake Directions:

Yields 8-inch 2-layer cake Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease 2 8-inch cake pans. In a large mixing bowl, mix together sugar and grapefruit zest with your fingers until fragrant. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Mix in yogurt, olive oil, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoon grapefruit juice (reserve 1/3 cup for later). Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Divide batter evenly between cake pans and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Using a pastry brush, brush remaining 1/3 cup grapefruit juice on top on the cake layers, allowing the juice to soak into the cake. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Grapefruit Buttercream

• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, room temperature
• Zest of 1 grapefruit
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• Heavy cream

In a small saucepan, bring grapefruit juice to a boil and simmer until it reduces and thickens to about 1/4 cup. Cool to room temperature. In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and grapefruit zest until smooth. Mix in thickened grapefruit juice. Gradually add powdered sugar until incorporated and smooth. Because the thickened grapefruit juice will vary in amount, add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is achieved.