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Grapefruit Layer Cake

I grew up in Florida where we had 10 grapefruit trees and were constantly trying to use the fruit in different ways. This luscious cake was one of my "grapefruit experiments." A nice, bright citrus taste shines through in every moist bite. —Sara Pleso, Sparta, Tennessee

16 ServingsPrep: 45 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling.

Ingredients

OVEN-DRIED CITRUS SLICES:
2 grapefruit slices
2 orange slices
1 teaspoon sugar
CAKE:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
3 cups cake flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup white grapefruit juice
FROSTING:
3 packages (two 8 ounces, one 3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
8 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons grated grapefruit peel
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 of 2

Grapefruit Layer Cake (continued)

Directions

Place grapefruit and orange slices on a greased and foil-lined baking
sheet. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 170° for about 2 hours or
until dried (fruit will be slightly tacky). Remove to wire racks.
Let stand for 2-3 days or until completely dried.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about
5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each
addition. Stir in vanilla and lemon peel; mix well. Combine the
flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add to creamed mixture
alternately with milk and grapefruit juice. Beat just until
combined.
Transfer to two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at
350° for 21-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the
center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to wire
racks to cool completely.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add the
confectioners’ sugar, citrus peels and vanilla; beat until smooth.
Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Spread frosting between
layers and over top and sides of cake. Garnish with citrus slices.
Yield: 16 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 slice (calculated without garnishes) equals 624 calories, 23 g fat (14 g saturated fat), 91 mg cholesterol, 391 mg sodium, 101 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 6 g protein.