Allow me this space to keep it real.
Part of growing up (and oh how I want to wrestle that concept) is figuring out how to comfort myself. Man alive… that’s a hard one.
We all have our shaky moments, when life flips itself upside down and reminds you that you’re not exactly the boss of everything around you. In those moments, believe me when I say, I just want to hurl myself on the floor and throw a bona fide tantrum. The only problem with tantrums, is that people don’t really cares much as they did when I was three, and it just ruins my mascara.
Then there’s french fries. French fries are far better than tantrums.
Even better than french fries I’ve found, is a good, loud sing. When I needed comfort yesterday, when I was feeling a little shaky, I literally stood in my living room and sang whatever songs came to mind. Loud. With my eyes closed. Like I really meant it. From the inside. It felt so so good.
And then there’s cake.
This Pink Grapefruit Yogurt Cake is a little bit of sophisticated comfort. There’s a lovely tang and moist crumb from the whole-fat yogurt. The trick to getting the most out of the grapefruit, is to rub the zest into the granulated sugar. Really get in there, creating a super fragrant grapefruit sugar.
Comfort. A cake or a song… what works for you?
Pink Grapefruit Yogurt Cake
makes one 10-inch cake, about 12 servings
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup plain whole milk yogurt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
Juice and zest of 1 pink grapefruit. This ends up being about 1/2 cup of juice and 1 Tablespoon of zest.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 10-inch round springform pan and line the pan bottom with a parchment paper round and set aside. I used a Bundt type springform pan, greased and floured well and skipped the parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt to blend.
On a clean surface, or in a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar and zest. With the back of a spoon or a flexible bench knife, rub the grapefruit zest into the sugar. The essential oils will release into the sugar creating a beautifully fragrant sugar.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs and grapefruit sugar until the eggs are thick and pale yellow. Add the yogurt, oil, 1 Tablespoon of grapefruit juice and vanilla extract. Stir well to combine. Add the flour mixture and stir to combine.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a rubber spatula. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a wooden skewer comes out clean when inserted near the center. Place the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes to cool. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake Release and remove the pan sides. Coo completely on the wire rack.
In a small saucepan, combine the powdered sugar and the remaining grapefruit juice and bring to a boil Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, or until the glaze is slightly thickened. My glaze didn’t thicken significantly, but still seemed to do a great job on the cake. Remove from heat.
To finish the cake, invert the cooled cake and remove the pan bottom. Carefully peel away the parchment paper if you used it. Reinvert the cake onto a serving plate. Pierce the cake all over the top with a skewer and pour the warm grapefruit slowly over the cake. I did this with the help of a pastry brush.
Store at room temperature, wrapped well for 2 days.
Melissa
I only had one egg on hand so I halved the recipe and ended up making 7 very generously filled cupcakes. These cupcakes rose beautifully! I can’t wait to try different variations of this recipe.
Lina
Joy, I was crying. And then I find this because crying alone on the floor is just ruining mascara. And now, I’m not crying anymore and I’m going to make myself this one marvellous peace of happiness. Thanks; xxx
Mindy
Perfect way to welcome an early spring! I didn’t have whole milk yogurt, so I subbed in low-fat organic french vanilla yogurt and olive oil for the vegetable oil, and it still turned out wonderful! It’s a great, light, healthy[er] dessert with a refreshing tang. The glaze puts it over the top, although I would like more glaze, so I might squeeze an extra grapefruit next time! I also added a wee bit of cornstarch to the glaze to thicken it up a bit. Everyone loved it and it lasts well covered on the countertop for a couple days!
Patricia Miller
I’m a huge grapefruit fan so I couldn’t wait to give this recipe a try. I loved it! Thanks so much for sharing!
peachmonday
I tried this out (as an alternative to lemon cake which I love to bits)
At first I was really scared that it would become to bitter with the grapefruit zest.. but after baking it was fine.
Very intense taste! But even people who didn’t like the fruit too much said they liked it and ate a huge piece.
this will not be the last time I’ve baked it!
Liss
I made this last night- so good! I used nonfat Greek yogurt and baked it in a 9in square. It was like an explosion of spring for my tastebuds. Thanks so much for a great keeper.
suesue
This sounds fabulous and I have a few dozen grapefruit needing some attention right now. I’m going to try this and the scones for some breakfast treats for my sisters and I. We get together once a week and we’ve been trying to do more healthy foods. Thanks beaucoup!!
Apron-clad Warrior
I pray…..at that point I KNOW it’s just me and God since the rest of the world let me down somehow! He listens and doesn’t care, kinda like a good girlfriend BUT doesn’t say, “Sorry I gotta go feed the kids” and NEVER hangs up.
xo
PS I KNEW was keeping this diet grapefruits for something great. Thanks Doll!
Sharon
Fabulous! Made this cake yesterday and it’s fantastic.
karina astari
Joy.. Im fallin in love with your blog..the recipe is very simple and this is helping me a lot..
Joy..In my country, grapefruit is not very common, can I change it with orange or lemon ??
Thank you..
joythebaker
sure! orange or lemon would be lovely!
Kate D
This cake is heavenly: so light, citrusy, and easy! As good as a pound cake and who needs that pound of butter anyway? Havin’ myself a stressful morning, and I seem to have eaten half of it! But it’s so low fat — maybe I’ll just have to make another one and see how it goes with marmalade whipped cream… Thank you Joy.
Lynn Barnett
Why does this recipe contain so much baking powder? Most cakes only use a teaspoon? Does baking powder have aluminium in it?
Lindsey
You’ve inspired me.
http://hotpolkadot.com/2010/02/16/gimme-gimme-grapefruit/
Lindsey
Grapefruit is definitely my faviurite of the citrus fruits. I have some every morning for breakfast. A yogurt cake flavoured with grapefruit is a very good way to change things up for breakfast. I’ll try this soon. Yum!
The Curious Baker
Just made an adapted gluten free version of this cake and it came out really well
Thanks for the inspiration
Tanya
Made this cake for a BBQ party this weekend. I even went out and bought a springform bundt pan just for the occasion! All I have to say is: DELICIOUS!!! I actually doubled the amount of grapefruit syrup and served it with grapefruit whipped cream (regular whipped cream recipe plus grapefruit zest and 1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice). A definite keeper! Thank you for the recipe, Joy!
sarcozona
Lovely recipe – just pulled the cake out of the oven. Can’t wait to taste it!
Lindsay
I have an eerily similar recipe for Orange Yogurt Cake from Martha Stewart Magazine.
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/orange-yogurt-cake
Jude
The mold almost makes the cake look like a grapefruit. Looks great!
rachel h.
you sing. i dance.
go grapefruit!
Tina
HI Joy,
I am waiting for the cake to finish baking (no patience, lol). I made it using blood oranges, like Ingrid. I am going to share it with my co-workers at the place I volunteer. Thank you for another wonderful recipe :) It almost makes me feel like, it’s ok to eat a healthy cake =D
cindy
i am going to make this right now for a dinner i am supposed to bring dessert for tonight…but with blood oranges since i have em.
i will let you know. xo
Joy R.
I made a vegan version of this today and loved it! I added a bit of cardamom to the recipe, and thought that was a nice touch.
Deanna
I just wanted to let you know that I made this cake last night and I loved it. I shared it with some friends and they loved it! None left over today, so I know that it was good! Thanks again for sharing this recipe.
The Duo Dishes
Zest can do magic for anything!
Deanna
This sounds so good. Thanks, Im gonna make this for friend tonight!
Katie
I agree with the previous posters I want to see this pan because the cake is beautiful. Comfort food for me always has something sweet or cheese of some sort. But I hear you on the french fries.
Maria
The cake looks fabulous!! I love grapefruit!!
Culinarywannabe
A bundt springform pan – I’m gonna have to get me one of those!
Marci
Made this today and it tasted as good as it looks. A bright taste in my blah day. Thank you.
Anna
This is sad, I just ate my last grapefruit. Looks wonderful though, I’ll be sure to try it.
Hayley
This sounds wonderful. Your pictures are beautiful, as always. Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie
How about singing while making a cake?? =)
This looks extremely delicious!! I have to try this soon <3
PS: I’ve added you to my blogroll!!
gine
yummy looks delicious and grapefruit sounds like a great idea :-)! XOXO
Elyse
What a great flavor combination! I can already imagine the moist yogurt cake with the tang of the grapefruit. Yep, I might have just started drooling at my screen. I know: gross, gross, but my craving for this cake does that to me!
Jen
Grapefruit is comfort! Few things make me happier than sitting in front of a nice 80s era mindless movie with a couple of grapefruit. Wow, that makes me sound like a giant loser, doesn’t it? Thanks for the recipe, anyway!
Maja
Cake. And song. But mostly cake, which picks me up so i can start singing, sometimes while baking it. I hope you’re feeling better. :)
Rachel@fairycakeheaven
Hope you’re feeling better today and the cake helped! It looks gorgeous and I’d say very tangy! YUM!
mike
Joy – I’d love to see what your “bundt springform” pan looks like if you wouldn’t mind posting a photo of it? Love the form and pattern of your cake!
Rebecca
You just brought me a little piece of comfort. I love pink grapefruit and I love cake. Combining the two is genius. Plus I might be able to sneak it in front of my boyfriend and get him to confess to liking it before he can realise that I’ve won the “grapefruits are too amazing” argument.
Thank you for a little piece of citrusy goodness and Joy The Baker comfort to start the day.
Sarah
Yum-eeee!
Nicole
I’ve actually made this cake, too. It jumped off the page as soon as I got the book. It was moist and delicious, but I like the shape of your bundt cake better. Keep singing!
Jessica
The thought of you standing in the middle of your living room singing your heart out to chase the shakes away made me smile. :)
mike
Enough about the food (it’s always incredibly delicious-looking, creative and wonderful). But your photography, especially your grapefruit cake “hero shot” is what I appreciate about your blog. I love how you blend modern day baking with vintage serving dishes and flatware. Magazine-quality, truly!
Jennifer
I dont know why I had never thought of such a thing… we use other citrus in cakes, why not grapefruit? :) lovely!!!
Sugar Duchess
Amen to the singing. Instant gratification right there. Although, by the time I’m finished making a cake, I’ve forgotten about whatever was making me upset. And grapefruit! Lucky I bought me some yesterday…
snooky doodle
this cake looks delicious! I wwould like a piece for breakfast, lunch , dinner and snacking :) when I feel down I just watch one of my favourite movies usually a an animated movie :)
Jennifer
Hi Joy,
You know what I love best about that cake? You could SO justify eating it for breakfast. Who’s gonna argue with grapefruit?! And yogurt?
I hope the sing and the cake helped flip life back right-side up!
carsen
I remember this! :) Yum.
Ricki
No contest: cake (and this looks fabulous). Besides, I need to spare those around me from hearing what comes out of my mouth when I try to sing!
chanina
Sounds lovely!
I love citrus cakes, will probably make this later this week, we have tons of grapefruits!
Nirvana
Yay to comfort food! :) This looks delicious!!!!
Amy
I am definitely in the cake-for-happiness category. In fact, over the last week I’ve baked five cakes because I’ve really needed this extra bit of comfort. And so far, it’s working (although my freezer is absolutely bursting with all this excess baking!). I’ll bookmark this recipe and keep it in mind for the next time!
kokomama
This is perfect, because pink grapefruit is in season right now (I live in FL), and I have some whole milk yogurt leftover in my fridge. Thanks for posting!
rachellake
I do the singing thing too, only works when the roommates aren’t home though. This cake sounds lovely, hope it brought you the comfort you need.
I made a second batch of lemon souffle puddings last night – I think they are going to be my new go-to comfort food.
jean
I’m going to make that cake today. As far as comfort goes, nothing does it for me like reading a favorite book or watching a favorite movie. It helps me get a sense of how big the world is, how much is going on (all within the safety of my living room). After a few hours I’m usually ready to join back in again. I hope you feel better.
ingrid
Sounds & looks wonderful. I don’t have grapefruits but I’m going to try it with two blood oranges I have in the fridge. Thanks!
~ingrid