Tuesday, April 12, 2011

PINK GRAPEFRUIT & ROSE CAKE


The online grocery store that we order things from weekly have been throwing in complementary seasonal produce lately, which is nothing to complain about. A few weeks ago, they were giving us lots of gorgeous pears which I loved, but for the past two weeks they've been sending us four big grapefruits with every order! I'm sure this would make many of you very happy, but I really am not a grapefruit fan. I don't like them for breakfast, in salads or as juice. What am I going to do with all these grapefruits? Every time I order, I dread another batch of free grapefruits... As much as I dislike grapefruit in general, I do however remember having a grapefruit cake once that I actually liked, so I gave it a go.

Now a flavor that I do happen to like, or obsess over to be more exact, is rose. Give me anything rose flavored and I will love it.

As an experiment, I decided to add something that I love (rose) and something I don't love (grapefruit) into something that I always love (cake) and let me just say that I LOVE this love/hate cake!

This cake is very very moist and light; it is so beautiful. The grapefruit is still very present but in a lovely mellow way and the rose flavor is subtle but makes this cake so delicate and gorgeous.

A slice of this and a lovely cup of tea; I am in love.


Pink Grapefruit & Rose Cake
(makes 1 loaf)
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons pink grapefruit zest (approx one large grapefruit)
  • 2 tablespoons rose water
  • 1 tablespoon rose syrup
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1+1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
For the syrup:
  • 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
  • 1+1/2 teaspoons rose water
  • 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
Preheat oven to 350F Grease an approx 9" loaf pan and line with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, using a whisk or stand mixer, cream together the butter, oil, sugar, grapefruit zest, rose water, rose syrup and vanilla extract until smooth.

Whisk in the eggs.

Sift in the flour and baking powder and salt, mix well.

Then add the buttermilk and whisk until smooth.

Add the cake batter to the lined loaf pan and bake at 350F for 45-50 minutes until golden, spongy and set.


While the cake is in the oven, make the syrup in a bowl by mixing the grapefruit juice, rose water and confectioners sugar together until smooth. Set aside.

When the cake is done, leave it in the pan and allow it to cool for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes puncture it all over with a tooth pick and then pour over the grapefruit-rose sugar syrup and let the cake sit and absorb the liquid until completely cooled.

Remove from the loaf pan very gently, slice and serve with your favorite tea :)




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23 comments:

  1. Oh gorgeous!! I love even how the cake is a little bit pink!!

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  2. That looks fantastic! I'm bookmarking this and will try to find time to pay homage soon. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I actually do like grapefruit and what a nice thing to do anyway to send you free goodies! I wouldn't mind getting free grapefruits and certainly not when I have the recipe for this delicious cake.

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  4. I love anything citrus, this one doesn't seem to disappoint.

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  5. I've never baked with grapefruit before but need to! I love citrus in anything!

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  6. Our anniversary............so I will DEFINITELY be making this! LOVE the colour!!!! Peachy pink and SO delicate! Well done you for this ingenious recipe!!

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  7. What a gorgeous and romantic flavour combination! Wonderful.

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  8. I'm not a grapefruit fan, either! I don't know how people like them. I would love this cake, though!

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  9. I am in love by the pairing of these flavours. How positively divine!!!
    *kisses* HH

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  10. I am SO making this cake!! Like you, I love anything with rosewater in it....and my husband too! It's such a beautiful flavor, and I'm so curious how it pairs with the pink grapefruit.

    Your pictures are awesome and make my mouth water, and I really appreciate you sharing the recipe! :) Cheers! sheila

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  11. oh I love this cake I adore grapefruits and yep aubergine in Europe, and Brinjal in India he he

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  12. You're right, these would be perfect with a cup of tea! I bet the combination of rose and grapefruit is fragrant and delicious.

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  13. This looks awesome! I may have to give this a try! I'm sucker for moist delicious cakes!

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  14. What a treat to discover your gorgeous blog! All your recipes look absolutely delicious, but especially this cake. Grapefruit and rose - how wonderful! I'm so sad that my studio doesn't haven't an oven, but as soon as I move somewhere where I can bake, then I'll be trying out your recipes.

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  15. I had to come back here again to show my husband your pictures and the recipe for this cake! He's excited that I'm gonna make it for us!!

    By the way, I just wanted to let you know that I've given you an award...the Versatile Blogger Award.

    Here's the post on my website where I've mentioned your name and most interesting blog:

    http://kemalandsheila.com/2011/04/versatile-blogger-award-and-red-lentil-bulgar-balls/

    If you accept the award, let me know and pass the award onto 15 other newly found bloggers. The rule (which are easy) are listed on my post.

    http://kemalandsheila.com/2011/04/versatile-blogger-award-and-red-lentil-bulgar-balls/

    I've really enjoyed browsing your website! You have a lot of great recipes that I can't wait to try, especially this one! :)

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  16. What a nice company to send free produce - like yourself I have sometimes been given fruit which I don't normally like, but there is always a way to make it more appealing, such as baking it into a gorgeous cake like yours :)

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  17. mmm! this cake looks moist and delicious, despite having grapefruit in it, of which, i am not a fan! i would love to know what online grocery you shop at. free food would be awesome!

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  18. Gorgeous! And I have an enormous grapefruit on the counter at home right now ...

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  19. I never liked grapefruit either...but wow, your cake look so amazing, and so soft! Yumm!

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  20. Hey dahling, I made your cake and blogged it. Absolutely delicious, and I loved the moist crumb :D
    *kisses* HH

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  21. oh I have got to try this it looks fabulous and as Heavenly Housewife suggested on her blog suitable for royalty:-)

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  22. I've never thought to bake with grapefruit, even though I often use lemon or orange in cakes...passionfruit could make a nice summery addition too!! But I wholeheartedly agree with you about grapefruits themselves, I just can't get onboard with that diet trend!

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  23. This sounds AMAZING! I must try it!

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