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Grapefruit Olive Oil Cake with Raspberry Compote
This moist and dense Grapefruit Olive Oil Cake with Raspberry Compote is a stunning sweet treat for dessert or an afternoon pick-me-up with elevated flavors.
If you're looking for a sophisticated dessert for a celebration that's not overly sweet, look no further. This beautiful compote-topped cake has a grown-up flavor from tart grapefruit and olive oil. The texture is super dense and moist, almost pudding-like. And best of all, you can make the entire thing ahead of time!
Ingredients for Citrus Olive Oil Cake
Here's what you need to make this grapefruit cake batter:
All-purpose flour. I use organic flour from Bob's Red Mill.
Baking powder for leavening.
Cane sugar. I use organic sugar.
Grapefruit zest adds a strong citrus flavor.
Butter. I recommend unsalted butter for baking.
Olive oil. Choose a nice high-quality oil because you will be able to taste it in the cake!
Eggs. These should be at room temperature so they mix evenly into the batter.
Grapefruit juice. You can squeeze this from juicy, ripe fruit.
Vanilla extract for a bit of warmth.
Buttermilk. You can use dairy-free or regular!
Raspberry Compote
The bright red berry compote you drizzle on top of this cake is truly show-stopping. It's truly stunning and just the right amount of sweet and tart. To make it, you'll need:
Raspberries. fresh and frozen both work.
Sugar. I use organic cane sugar for the compote.
Lemon juice. I highly recommend freshly-squeezed.
Water
Vanilla
Can I Make Cupcakes?
OF course! Grapefruit olive oil cupcakes make a sophisticated birthday treat. To make cupcakes with this recipe, divide the batter between 30 lined cupcake wells. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, then let them cool.
Topping Ideas
The beautiful raspberry compote is truly the only topping you'll need on this not-to-sweet dessert. However, if you like, add a dusting of powdered sugar.
1cupButtermilk(I used a dairy-free version, but you can use regular buttermilk!
SIMPLE RASPBERRY COMPOTE:
2cupsraspberries, fresh or frozen
½cuporganic cane sugar
1 ½tspsfreshly-squeezed lemon juice
¼cupfiltered water
1teaspoonvanilla extract
TOPPING (OPTIONAL):
Powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
TO MAKE THE BUTTERMILK:
If making a dairy-free version: In a bowl or measuring cup, add together your favorite plant-based milk (I use unsweetened Almond milk) and 1 teaspoon lemon juice, stirring and allowing it to sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens. For a regular option, just substitute milk with regular cow's milk or heavy cream.
TO MAKE THE CAKE:
Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease (w/ butter or spray) and line the bottom with parchment paper of a 9-inch round cake pan.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, grapefruit zest, and sea salt until combined. Set aside.
In a large bowl, add together the sugar and unsalted butter, mixing by using a hand-mixer on medium-high speed, until fluffy and airy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add in the eggs (one at a time), vanilla, grapefruit juice, olive oil, and the 'buttermilk', followed by the dry ingredients, mixing everything together until well combined, smooth, and lump-free, about 2-3 minutes.
Pour batter evenly into prepared pan, spreading everything around for a perfect evenness.
Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the center of the cake comes out clean when tested with a toothpick or butter knife.
Once done, remove the cake from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes before carefully lifting it from the pan and unto a cooling rack to cool completely, about 1 ½ to 2 hours.
TO MAKE THE RASPBERRY COMPOTE:
In a saucepan, add together all ingredients over medium-high heat, stirring until combined. Once the raspberries become broken down, continue stirring until mixture begins to thicken a bit and the liquids are mostly reduced. Remove from heat. Let it cool.
To serve, sprinkle powdered sugar atop entire cake, slice, top with 1-2 Tbsps of raspberry compote and enjoy!
Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
STORAGE: Keep leftover cake tightly wrapped using plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 5 days. To store frozen (frosted or unfrosted), simply tightly wrap and cover cake and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bring to room temperature.
GRAPEFRUIT OLIVE OIL CUPCAKES: This recipe yields about 30 cupcakes which will be more cakey and fluffy. Simply bake for 18-20 minutes instead, until centers come out clean.
PLANT-BASED BUTTERMILK: Add 1 cup of Almond milk (or your fave plant-based milk) + 1 tablespoon lemon juice and let sit for 10 minutes, until it slightly thickens.
FLOUR: You can always just use cake flour for this recipe.
MAKE AHEAD: You can always bake this cake the night or day before and let it cool, tightly wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use. The raspberry compote can also be made prior and tightly sealed and stored in the fridge as well. When ready to serve, let cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour, add powdered sugar to top, and serve each slice with compote!
LOVE THIS RECIPE?
LET US KNOW!
this sounds and looks incredible! craving these flavors right now. thank you for sharing!
Hi Caitlin! Absolutely! It's SO good! I hope that you love it! 🙂