Grapefruit Poppy Seed Cake Recipe
A refreshing and zesty Grapefruit Poppy Seed Cake, combining citrusy grapefruit juice and zest with crunchy poppy seeds for a moist, flavorful dessert. Perfectly balanced with a light texture and optional citrus glaze, this cake is easy to make and ideal for any occasion.
- Author: Elias
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup grapefruit juice
- 1 tablespoon grapefruit zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and poppy seeds to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seeds.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender cake.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully mixed in before adding the next to maintain a smooth batter.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Stir in the grapefruit juice, grapefruit zest, and vanilla extract into the egg mixture, blending until well combined to infuse the batter with citrus flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which could toughen the cake.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula for even baking.
- Bake: Place the cake pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 20 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing sogginess.
- Frost (Optional): Once the cake is fully cooled, optionally frost it with a light glaze made from powdered sugar mixed with grapefruit juice for an extra citrusy touch, or enjoy it plain for a lighter dessert.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding dry ingredients to keep the cake tender.
- The optional grapefruit glaze adds extra sweetness and citrus flavor but can be omitted for a lower sugar option.
- Use fresh grapefruit juice and zest for best flavor intensity.
- Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keywords: grapefruit cake, poppy seed cake, citrus dessert, baked cake, easy cake recipe, grapefruit zest cake