Grapefruit Greek Yogurt Cake with Fresh Citrus Zest
A moist, tender cake brightened with fresh grapefruit zest and juice, balanced by tangy Greek yogurt for extra richness. The citrus adds vibrant flavor without overwhelming sweetness, making this perfect for brunch gatherings, spring celebrations, or as a lighter dessert. Greek yogurt keeps the crumb incredibly soft while adding protein, setting this version apart from traditional butter-based cakes.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flourgluten-free flour blend1:1gluten-freegluten-free
may be slightly denser
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs, large
- 1 tablespoon grapefruit zest, freshorange zest1:1citrus
slightly sweeter flavor
- ½ cup grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a cake pan
- 2
Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl
- 3
Combine Greek yogurt, vegetable oil, eggs, grapefruit zest, grapefruit juice, and vanilla extract in another bowl
- 4
Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, mixing until just combined
- 5
Pour batter into prepared cake pan and smooth the top
- 6
Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean
- 7
Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely
Tips
Room temperature eggs and Greek yogurt mix more easily and create better texture
Don't overmix the batter once wet and dry ingredients are combined to avoid tough cake
Test doneness with a toothpick in the center, as edges may look done before middle is set
Good to Know
Cover and store at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days
Can be made 1 day ahead and stored covered at room temperature
Serve at room temperature, optionally dusted with powdered sugar or with fresh berries
Common Mistakes
Don't open oven door before 40 minutes to avoid sinking
Measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling to avoid dense cake
Cool completely before removing from pan to prevent breaking
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
may be slightly denser
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?
Regular yogurt will work but drain it first or the cake may be too wet. Greek yogurt provides better structure and tanginess.
What if I don't have fresh grapefruit juice?
Bottled 100% grapefruit juice works fine, though fresh gives brighter flavor. Avoid juice cocktails with added sugar.
How long does this cake keep?
Stays moist for 2 days at room temperature covered, or up to 5 days refrigerated. Freezes well for 3 months wrapped tightly.