Best Brown Derby Grapefruit Cake Recipes

GRAPEFRUIT CAKE (HOLLYWOOD BROWN DERBY RESTAURANT)

Steps:

• 1. Grapefruit Glaze (prepared first, as it needs to chilll): Mix together the chilled grapefruit juice, confectioners' sugar and cornstarch until cornstarch is fully dissolved. Pour mixture into a small saucepan, and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly. When it begins to heat, it will become transparent and thicken to a syrupy glaze. Remove from heat source, cover and store in refrigerator until thoroughly cooled.
• 2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line bottom of a 9x2-inch round cake pan with parchment paper, then very lightly spray parchment with nonstick baking spray; set pan aside.
• 3. In a mixing bowl, sift together the cake flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center, and add water, oil, egg yolks, grapefruit juice and lemon zest. Beat until smooth.
• 4. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff but not dry. Gradually pour egg yolk mixture over the whites, gently folding with a rubber spatula just until blended. Don't stir the mixture, just fold gently.
• 5. Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly pressed with a fingertip. Invert cake onto a cake rack to cool completely. Run a butter knife around edge of cake, and carefully remove cake to a platter to cool completely. With a serrated knife, gently slice cake in half to yield two layers.
• 6. FROSTING: Beat softened cream cheese until fluffy. Add lemon juice and lemon zest. Gently stir in sugar, then beat until well blended. Stir in food coloring. Crush several grapefruit sections to measure 2 teaspoons, and blend the crushed grapefruit into the frosting mixture.
• 7. Spread the frosting over the surface of the bottom cake layer. Top with several grapefruit sections. Place the other cake layer on top of the frosted bottom layer. Using the remaining frosting to frost the top and sides of the cake.
• 8. To serve - Remove Grapefruit Glaze from refrigerator, and stir it several times for ease in pour. Pour the glaze over the frosted cake. Garnish with remaining grapefruit sections, if desired, and then cut the cake into 8 to 10 slices.
• 9. NOTE: Disney chefs garnish individual slices of Grapefruit Cake with an ultra-thin slice of grapefruit that has been heated in a moderate oven until hydrated and lightly scorched. It's a nice modern touch, but it wasn't an original garnish when this dessert was originally created and served at the Hollywood Brown Derby.

BROWN DERBY GRAPEFRUIT CAKE

Steps:

• Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into bowl. Make well in center and add water, oil, egg yolks, grapefruit juice and lemon peel. Beat until very smooth. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until stiff but not dry. Gradually pour egg yolk mixture over egg whites and fold in gently until just blended. Do not stir. Turn batter into ungreased 9 inch spring form pan and bake at 350 degrees 30 minutes, or until top springs back when touched lightly with finger. Invert onto cake rack and cool thoroughly. Loosen edges of cake carefully and remove from pan. With serrated knife, cut cake crosswise to make two layers. Reserve a few fruit sections for frosting. Fill with part of the Cream Cheese Frosting and grapefruit sections. Spread top and sides of cake with frosting and decorate with additional fruit sections. Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese until fluffy. Add lemon juice and peel. Gradually blend in sugar and beat until well blended. Stir in food color. Crush enough grapefruit sections to measure 2 teaspoons and blend into frosting.