This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Want a delicious and refreshing dessert? Try this easy Mini Grapefruit Cake recipe! It’s light, moist, and perfectly balances sweet and tangy grapefruit notes. Imagine the refreshing citrus aroma as you slice into this tender cake. A simple, tangy glaze adds the final touch, creating a beautiful dessert that’s as delicious as it looks.
Explore our delightful selection of small cake recipes, including our rich Pound Cake, aromatic Spice Cake, fruit-filled Apple Cake, moist Carrot Cake, exotic Hummingbird Cake, and decadent German Chocolate Cake.
Why You’ll Love This Grapefruit Cake Recipe
- Simple yet special: It’s perfect for everyday treats and fancier small gatherings.
- Refreshingly different: The grapefruit flavor offers a unique twist on the usual citrus desserts.
- Perfect texture: It’s moist and tender, just like a homemade cake should be.
- Easy to make: Simple instructions and common ingredients make this recipe a breeze.
- Customize it! Top with the tangy glaze or try it with your favorite frosting.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this grapefruit cake recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
For the Cake
- Butter: I recommend using salted butter for a balanced taste. Ensure it’s soft to the touch but not melted for optimal texture. The right consistency is key – it should easily indent when pressed without losing its shape.
- Sugar, Vanilla, Salt, Grapefruit Juice, and Zest: These are the flavor stars of the cake. Zesting a grapefruit is simple using a grater. Remember, only zest the colored part of the skin to avoid bitterness. If zest gets stuck in the grater, gently tap it out.
- Egg: Just one large egg is needed. It’s crucial for adding structure to the cake.
- Flour: Stick to all-purpose flour for a reliable cake structure.
- Baking Powder: This helps your cake rise to the occasion, creating a light and fluffy texture.
- Milk: It’s all about moisture here. You can use any percentage of cow’s milk or even almond milk for a dairy-free option.
For the Glaze
- Powdered Sugar: Known as confectioners’ sugar, it creates a smooth glaze. Four tablespoons should do the trick.
- Grapefruit Juice: Two teaspoons should be enough, but feel free to adjust for your preferred level of grapefruit flavor and glaze thickness.
Note: The glaze can be as thick or thin as you like. You can also skip it and opt for a plain cake or use a cream cheese frosting as we do in our Red Velvet Cake recipe instead.
Recipe Variations
- Citrus Cake: Swap out some grapefruit juice for lemon juice for a zesty twist.
- Gluten-Free Grapefruit Cake: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour for a gluten-sensitive friendly option.
- Nutty Grapefruit Cake: Stir in chopped almonds or walnuts for added crunch and flavor.
- Berry-Topped Grapefruit Cake: Garnish with fresh berries like strawberries or blueberries for a fruity and colorful finish.
- Orange Cake: Replace grapefruit with orange for a sweeter, citrus-infused variation.
How To Make A Grapefruit Cake
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make a small grapefruit cake. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Start by placing the butter and sugar in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to cream them together at a moderate speed for 1 minute, achieving a smooth and well-combined texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Gradually incorporate the egg, fresh grapefruit juice, zest, and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to ensure a consistent batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Slowly add this dry mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. Continue to mix at a low speed, ensuring the ingredients are well combined without overmixing. Gently fold in the milk to maintain the batter’s lightness.
- Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven and prepare a baking dish by lightly buttering it. Pour the batter into the dish, spreading it evenly. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes. The cake is done when the top turns a lovely golden color and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cooling Tip: Remember to let the cake cool completely before drizzling over the grapefruit glaze. This ensures a perfect finish and texture.
Preparing the Grapefruit Glaze
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar and grapefruit juice together. Whisk them until you achieve a smooth and lump-free glaze.
- Poke Holes in Cake: Once your cake is baked and cooled, use a toothpick, the tip of a sharp knife, or a fork to gently poke holes across the entire surface of the cake. These holes allow the glaze to seep into the cake, enhancing the flavor.
- Apply the Glaze: Carefully pour the prepared grapefruit glaze over the cake. Make sure to cover the entire surface evenly for a consistent sweet and tangy flavor in every bite.
- Ready to Serve: After the glaze has settled, slice the cake into desired portions and enjoy your homemade grapefruit delight.
Expert Tips
- Use Real Butter: Always choose real butter instead of margarine for this recipe. Real butter contributes significantly to the cake’s flavor and texture.
- Soft Butter Is Key: Ensure your butter is soft but not melted. Test it by gently pressing your finger into the butter. If it indents easily while still holding its shape, it’s at the ideal softness for baking.
- Creaming Technique: For a velvety cake texture, cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air and achieving a smooth batter.
- Measuring Flour Correctly: Avoid scooping flour directly with a measuring cup, as this can lead to using too much. Instead, first stir the flour to aerate it, then spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off with a flat-edged knife for accuracy.
- Verify Oven Temperature: Ovens can often run hotter or cooler than the set temperature. To ensure baking accuracy, use an oven thermometer to check your oven’s true temperature. Adjust as needed for consistent results.
- Adjustable Glaze Consistency: Customize the glaze to your liking. For a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar; for a thinner consistency, incorporate more grapefruit juice. This allows you to tailor the glaze to your taste and desired texture.
Serving Suggestions
- With Coffee or Tea: Enjoy a slice as a delightful accompaniment to your favorite hot beverage.
- Fruit Salad: Pair with a light, fresh fruit salad for a balanced dessert option.
- Whipped Cream: Top with a dollop of whipped cream for added decadence.
- Breakfast Treat: Serve a slice as a special breakfast or brunch item.
- Ice Cream Pairing: Complement the cake’s citrus flavor with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If it’s glazed, refrigerating it can help maintain its freshness, but bring it to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Yes, you can bake this grapefruit cake a day or two in advance. Just wrap it well and store it at room temperature. If you plan to use the glaze, it’s best to apply it on the day you’re serving the cake to keep it fresh and moist.
The best way to check is to insert a toothpick or a thin skewer into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. Also, the cake should spring back when lightly touched and have a golden-brown color.
Absolutely, grapefruit can be frozen for later use. Begin by peeling the grapefruit. You can then choose to freeze it whole or cut it into sections, depending on your preference. Once frozen, you have a variety of ways to enjoy it. Eat the frozen grapefruit directly as a cold snack, add it to water for a refreshing twist, blend it into smoothies, or simply let it thaw and consume as usual.
You may also use a 5×5-inch baking dish which has an area of 25 square inches or a 4×6-inch dish which has an area of 24 square inches. For best results, use a dish of similar size.
Two small 10-ounce ramekins or two mini loaf pans would work well with this recipe too.
All of these dishes can be found on our Store page.
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this mini grapefruit cake or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Mini Grapefruit Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
For the cake batter
- 4 tablespoons salted butter -softened (¼ cup). Plus ½ tablespoon more for greasing the baking dish
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon grapefruit juice
- ½ teaspoon grapefruit zest
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup low fat milk
For the grapefruit glaze
- 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons grapefruit juice
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350° F (177° C)
- Grease a 5-inch baking dish with ½ tablespoon of butter. Place baking dish on top of a baking sheet.
- Start by placing the butter and sugar in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to cream them together at a moderate speed for 1 minute, achieving a smooth and well-combined texture.
- Gradually incorporate the egg, fresh grapefruit juice, zest, and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to ensure a consistent batter.
- In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Slowly add this dry mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. Continue to mix at a low speed, ensuring the ingredients are well combined without overmixing. Gently fold in the milk to maintain the batter's lightness.
- Pour the batter into a lightly buttered 5×5 or 4×6 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes. The cake is done when the top turns a lovely golden color and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.Cooling Tip: Remember to let the cake cool completely before drizzling over the grapefruit glaze. This ensures a perfect finish and texture.
Make the grapefruit glaze
- In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar and grapefruit juice together. Whisk them until you achieve a smooth and lump-free glaze.
- Once your cake is baked and cooled, use a toothpick, the tip of a sharp knife, or a fork to gently poke holes across the entire surface of the cake. These holes allow the glaze to seep into the cake, enhancing the flavor.
- Carefully pour the prepared grapefruit glaze over the cake. Make sure to cover the entire surface evenly for a consistent sweet and tangy flavor in every bite.
- After the glaze has settled, slice the cake into desired portions and enjoy your homemade grapefruit delight.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
With Ruby Reds, it’s delicious. I love the way it keeps. I’m looking forward to playing with other flavors.
Made it with lemon juice.Delicious.
I made the grapfruit cake several months ago and it was delicious. I’m going to try making it in a donut pan. I think grapefruit donuts sound wonderful! Thank you for all your recipes.
This looks amazing. Have to purchase a couple, of fresh grapefruits. Thanks for what looks to be an awesome dessert.
I love your recipes perfect for one person thank you for making my life easier
I’m so happy to know you are finding our recipes helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know.
Hi, Joanie. The grapefruits are ripe & juicy here in Sun City, AZ, & we are trying your Mini Grapefruit Cake, but no oven temperature is provided. I’m guessing 350 degrees F?
Yes, bake at 350° F (177° C).