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–+ servings
a slice of grapefruit cake with grapefruit glaze on a white plate.
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5 from 2 votes

Mini Grapefruit Cake

This mini grapefruit cake is a moist citrus cake made with fresh grapefruit juice and zest, topped with a light grapefruit glaze, and baked in a small dish.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Cooling Time10 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: cake, grapefruit cake
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Joanie Zisk

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 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 salt
  • ¼ cup low fat milk

For the Glaze

  • 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons grapefruit juice
US - Metric

Instructions

Make the Cake

  • Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C)
  • Grease a 5x5-inch or 4x6-inch baking dish with ½ tablespoon of butter. Place the dish on a baking sheet.
  • In a medium bowl, beat the butter and sugar with a hand mixer on medium speed for 1 minute until smooth.
  • Mix in the egg, grapefruit juice, zest, and vanilla until fully combined.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Gently fold in the milk.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared dish and spread evenly. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let the cake cool completely before glazing.

Make the Glaze

  • In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and grapefruit juice until smooth.
  • Use a toothpick or fork to poke holes all over the cooled cake.
  • Pour the glaze evenly over the top.
  • Once the glaze sets, slice and serve.

Notes

  • Use Softened Butter: Butter should be soft enough to indent when pressed but not melted. This helps the batter mix evenly and creates a tender crumb.
  • Cream Well: Beat the butter and sugar until smooth and slightly fluffy to build structure in the cake.
  • Measure Flour Carefully: Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off to avoid adding too much.
  • Use Fresh Grapefruit: Fresh juice and zest give the cake the best citrus flavor.
  • Check for Doneness: The cake is ready when the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Adjust the Glaze: Add more juice for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker finish.
If doubling the recipe, double the ingredient amounts and bake in a 6x8 inch baking dish.
 
 
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 258kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 298IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

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