Refreshing Grapefruit Pound Cake
How to Make a Delightful Grapefruit Pound Cake Perfect for Gifting
Pound cakes are undeniably delicious, but knowing that they traditionally use equal parts flour, butter, and sugar can sometimes feel a bit daunting. While it’s trendy to talk about ‘no-butter, no-sugar, no-oil’ treats, most of us still want to enjoy our sweets in a way that feels healthier and less indulgent, especially when baking for our loved ones.
This recipe ingeniously reduces the amount of sugar, omits butter entirely, and significantly cuts down on oil (using canola oil), yet it yields a surprisingly wonderful result. Once you try it, you’ll be amazed at how easy and quick it is to make, resulting in a sophisticated and zesty grapefruit pound cake.
Its substantial yet moist texture makes it a perfect candidate for gifting, offering a more luxurious feel than a standard sponge cake. If you’ve previously avoided pound cakes due to health or diet concerns, this recipe, with its halved sugar and oil content, is a fantastic alternative.
While this recipe features grapefruit, feel free to experiment with other favorite citrus fruits like oranges or lemons for a delightful twist!
Ingredients- 100g Grapefruit (peeled and seeded)
- 50g Grapefruit Juice (freshly squeezed recommended)
- 80g Canola Oil or Vegetable Oil
- 40g Plain Yogurt
- 1 Large Egg (at room temperature)
- 80g Granulated Sugar (reduced amount)
- 2g Salt (approx. 1/4 tsp)
- 200g All-Purpose Flour
- 4g Baking Powder (approx. 1 tsp)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a large bowl, combine the oil, sugar, plain yogurt, room-temperature egg, and salt. Whisk or stir with a spatula until smooth and well combined, ensuring there are no lumps. It’s important to mix until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Step 2
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and baking powder at least 2-3 times. This aerates the dry ingredients and helps create a tender cake. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients from step ①. Gently mix until just combined; avoid overmixing, as this can develop gluten and make the cake tough.
Step 3
Gently fold in the prepared grapefruit segments (100g) and grapefruit juice (50g) into the batter. Mix until evenly distributed, allowing the bright citrus flavor to permeate the cake.
Step 4
Pour the batter into a prepared pound cake pan, filling it only about two-thirds full. This allows room for the cake to rise evenly without overflowing. Smooth the top of the batter.
Step 5
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 30 to 40 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a skewer or toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
Step 6
Once the cake has cooled completely, prepare a simple grapefruit glaze by mixing grapefruit juice with powdered sugar until smooth. Drizzle or spread the glaze generously over the top of the cake. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and enjoying your vibrant and moist grapefruit pound cake!
