Tantalize your taste buds with the delightful Grapefruit Cake, a classic dessert once served at the renowned Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant. This iconic cake boasts a moist and tender crumb infused with the vibrant flavors of fresh grapefruit, creating a symphony of citrusy goodness in every bite. Its delicate sweetness is perfectly balanced by a hint of tanginess, making it a refreshing treat that will leave you craving for more. This article presents not just one, but three tempting variations of the Grapefruit Cake recipe, each offering a unique twist on this timeless classic. From the original Brown Derby recipe to a gluten-free adaptation and a delightful vegan version, there's a perfect Grapefruit Cake recipe for every palate and dietary preference. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure as we explore the secrets behind this beloved cake and guide you through the steps to recreate it in your own kitchen.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
GRAPEFRUIT CAKE (HOLLYWOOD BROWN DERBY RESTAURANT)
In the golden age of Hollywood, the iconic Brown Derby (Vine Street) was the "in" place for movie stars. Some celebrities even made some of its recipes famous, like the legendary Grapefruit Cake. How it came to be...gossip columnist Louella Parsons asked owner Robert Cobb to offer more grapefruit recipes since it was known to be...
Provided by Vickie Parks
Categories Cakes
Time 1h55m
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- 1. Grapefruit Glaze (prepared first, as it needs to chilll): Mix together the chilled grapefruit juice, confectioners' sugar and cornstarch until cornstarch is fully dissolved. Pour mixture into a small saucepan, and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly. When it begins to heat, it will become transparent and thicken to a syrupy glaze. Remove from heat source, cover and store in refrigerator until thoroughly cooled.
- 2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line bottom of a 9x2-inch round cake pan with parchment paper, then very lightly spray parchment with nonstick baking spray; set pan aside.
- 3. In a mixing bowl, sift together the cake flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center, and add water, oil, egg yolks, grapefruit juice and lemon zest. Beat until smooth.
- 4. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff but not dry. Gradually pour egg yolk mixture over the whites, gently folding with a rubber spatula just until blended. Don't stir the mixture, just fold gently.
- 5. Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly pressed with a fingertip. Invert cake onto a cake rack to cool completely. Run a butter knife around edge of cake, and carefully remove cake to a platter to cool completely. With a serrated knife, gently slice cake in half to yield two layers.
- 6. FROSTING: Beat softened cream cheese until fluffy. Add lemon juice and lemon zest. Gently stir in sugar, then beat until well blended. Stir in food coloring. Crush several grapefruit sections to measure 2 teaspoons, and blend the crushed grapefruit into the frosting mixture.
- 7. Spread the frosting over the surface of the bottom cake layer. Top with several grapefruit sections. Place the other cake layer on top of the frosted bottom layer. Using the remaining frosting to frost the top and sides of the cake.
- 8. To serve - Remove Grapefruit Glaze from refrigerator, and stir it several times for ease in pour. Pour the glaze over the frosted cake. Garnish with remaining grapefruit sections, if desired, and then cut the cake into 8 to 10 slices.
- 9. NOTE: Disney chefs garnish individual slices of Grapefruit Cake with an ultra-thin slice of grapefruit that has been heated in a moderate oven until hydrated and lightly scorched. It's a nice modern touch, but it wasn't an original garnish when this dessert was originally created and served at the Hollywood Brown Derby.
FRESH GRAPEFRUIT CAKE
This dessert's particularly good for a backyard barbecue. My husband enjoys it, and our 2-year-old son thinks we're having a picnic, whenever I serve it-even if we're not! In fact, it's the only way I can get him to eat grapefruit.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 55m
Yield 12-16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in zest and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with grapefruit juice. Beat just until combined. Stir in milk. , Pour batter into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, combine the sugar, egg whites, corn syrup and salt in a large heavy saucepan over low heat or double boiler over simmering water. With a portable mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating on low over low heat until frosting reaches 160°, about 8-10 minutes. , Pour into the bowl of a heavy-duty stand bowl; gradually add the grapefruit juice, zest and vanilla. Beat on high until frosting forms stiff peaks, about 7 minutes. Spread between layers and frost entire cake.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 346 calories, Fat 9g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 49mg cholesterol, Sodium 255mg sodium, Carbohydrate 64g carbohydrate (42g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
FRESH GRAPEFRUIT CAKE
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch pans.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and grapefruit zest. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the grapefruit juice and milk. Pour batter into prepared pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 358.4 calories, Carbohydrate 59.1 g, Cholesterol 59.3 mg, Fat 11.7 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 4.6 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 263.3 mg, Sugar 30.1 g
Tips:
- Mise en place: To ensure a smooth baking process, prepare all ingredients and required equipment before starting.
- Zest and Juice Grapefruit: Use a fine grater or microplane to zest the outer skin of the grapefruit. Squeeze the fruit to extract the desired amount of juice.
- Creaming Method: To achieve a light and fluffy texture, cream together the butter and sugar until light and creamy, before gradually adding the eggs.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: Sifting the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt) helps incorporate air, resulting in a lighter and more tender cake.
- Folding: When combining the dry ingredients mixture with the wet ingredients mixture, use a gentle folding motion to avoid deflating the batter.
- Baking Time and Temperature: Follow the recommended baking time and temperature accurately. Over-baking can result in a dry cake, while under-baking can leave the cake raw in the center.
- Cooling: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting. This helps stabilize the cake and prevents the frosting from melting.
- Frosting: For a smooth and even frosting, beat the butter until light and fluffy before gradually adding the confectioners' sugar and milk.
Conclusion:
The Hollywood Brown Derby's Grapefruit Cake is a delightful and refreshing cake perfect for any occasion. With its moist and tender crumb, tangy grapefruit flavor, and creamy frosting, this cake is sure to impress. Remember to follow the tips and instructions carefully for a successful baking experience. Enjoy the taste of Hollywood glamour with every bite of this classic recipe.
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