Indian River Grapefruit Meringue Cake

A stunning presentation as well as a light and delicious dessert with fabulous grapefruit flavor in each of its three layers.

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 1/2 large fresh Florida grapefruit
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 egg yolks (reserve whites at room temperature)
• 1 whole egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon grated grapefruit zest
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons fresh Florida grapefruit juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling

• 2 eggs, separated (add whites to reserved whites in bowl)
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon grated grapefruit zest
• 1/3 cup fresh Florida grapefruit juice
• 1 tablespoon butter

Topping

• Reserved egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup sugar combined with 1 teaspoon grapefruit zest

Instructions

1. Grease and flour a 9 inch round cake pan. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cake

1. Grate rind of one grapefruit to measure 1 tablespoon zest. Squeeze same grapefruit to yield 1/2 cup unstrained juice. Cut half grapefruit into segments. Reserve all separately.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter on medium speed on mixer, gradually beating in sugar until fluffy. Add 2 egg yolks and whole egg; beat well.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, and zest, and add alternately with milk and juice to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating well after each addition; stir in vanilla extract. Pour batter into prepared pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 28 to 30 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center tests clean.
5. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cool completely.

Filling

1. Combine egg yolks and water.
2. In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar and flour; add yolk mixture and zest. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until mixture thickens and boils. Remove from heat; stir in juice and butter. Cover loosely and cool.
3. Place cooled cake on baking sheet. Spoon filling evenly on cake to within 1/2 inch of edges.

Topping

1. Beat the four egg whites (at room temperature) with cream of tartar for 1 minute on high speed. Gradually add sugar/grapefruit zest mixture, beating until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Spread topping over cake filling, covering completely. Using back of tablespoon, form decorative swirls from center to edges.
2. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes until peaks are lightly browned.
3. Cool completely.
4. Just before serving, decorate center top with reserved, well-drained grapefruit segments and if desired a sprig of fresh mint.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Florida Department of Citrus