Pregnancy can be blamed for many odd food cravings. Let me clarify first, please - I am not pregnant (I'm talking to you, Mum). We are perfectly content with our two boys and are determined not to let our kids outnumber us. When I was pregnant - several years ago - I went through a period of insatiable longing for an unlikely food combination. Doritos and pink grapefruit juice. Not just Doritos, not just pink grapefruit juice. They had to be consumed in the same sitting. Thinking of that now makes me feel like a foie gras goose after its daily force-feeding.
Thankfully, pink grapefruits and I have developed a much healthier relationship and I typically get my fill of the citrus fruit at breakfast a few times each week. My youngest son and I each take half of the fruit, sprinkle it with a little sugar, and scoop out the sections. The most anticipated treat, however, is squeezing out every last drop of the juice into our bowls and spooning it into our eager mouths.
As for Doritos. Well, we have had a little falling out, mostly due to the fact that they were sabotaging my attempts to fit into my skinny jeans. Of course, eating three slices of glazed quick breads has nothing to do with those failed attempts.
This quick bread - okay, cake - follows the same formula as my Glazed Lemon & Dried Cherry Quick Bread. In this case, the lemon zest and juice are replaced with the juices and zest of pink grapefruits. While the taste is reminiscent of a lemon bread, it has a slight sweetness that clearly comes from fruit rather than just sugar. Served with a cup of tea or coffee, it works beautifully as an afternoon treat, dessert, or brunch offering.
The recipe:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 8 ½- by 4 ½-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl, using a hand mixer) set on a medium speed, beat together butter, sugar and grapefruit zest until light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition.
Turn the mixer to low and gradually add the flour mixture, milk and grapefruit juice. Beat until just combined. Take care not to overbeat or the bread will be tough.
Pour the batter into prepared pan and level with a spatula.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few crumbs attached, 50 to 60 minutes. Let the bread sit in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the outside and turn the pan upside down to release the bread. Let cool on a wire rack for 1 hour, then glaze.
Glaze:
In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, grapefruit juice and zest, and salt until combined. Drizzle over cooled quick bread.
Slice and serve.
Other citrus quick breads:
Cookin' Canuck's Glazed Lemon & Dried Cherry Quick Bread
Madhuram's Eggless Cooking's Blueberry Orange Bread
Baking Bites' Lemon Coconut Bread
Healthy Happy Life's Lemon-Poppyseed Chamomile Tea Bread
Printable Recipe
Glazed Pink Grapefruit Quick Bread Recipe
Ingredients
The bread:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1 â…“ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons grated pink grapefruit zest
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup 2% milk
- 3 teaspoons fresh pink grapefruit juice
The Glaze:
- ¾ cup powdered confectioner's sugar
- 4 ½ teaspoons fresh pink grapefruit juice
- ½ teaspoon grated pink grapefruit zest
- Pinch salt
Instructions
The Bread:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 8½- by 4½-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl, using a hand mixer) set on a medium speed, beat together butter, sugar and grapefruit zest until light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition.
- Turn the mixer to low and gradually add the flour mixture, milk and grapefruit juice. Beat until just combined. Take care not to overbeat or the bread will be tough. Pour the batter into prepared pan and level with a spatula.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few crumbs attached, 50 to 60 minutes. Let the bread sit in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the outside and turn the pan upside down to release the bread. Let cool on a wire rack for 1 hour, then glaze.
The Glaze:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, grapefruit juice and zest, and salt until combined. Drizzle over cooled quick bread.
briarrose
What a wonderful quick bread. I love the grapefruit flavor.
megan @ whatmegansmaking
This bread looks beautiful, and so unique! I've never used grapefruit in baking before. This has been added to my must-make list for spring!
Wilde in the Kitchen
I love the sounds of this, sweet and tart! I love Doritos and will continue to take the stairs to my apartment if it means I can eat lots of them 🙂
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking
What a wonderful flavor the grapefruit must give to this luscious cake! I've never baked with it before but your recipe makes me want to try! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Belinda @zomppa
I'm sure your mom just did a "Oh! Oh." What an interesting combination...Doritos? This quickbread looks so moist and flavorful.
Pauline
least you didn't want to decorate with doritos 🙂 looks wonderful, haven't tried grapefruit zest, on the to do list.
Kathy - Panini Happy
What a terrific idea! I was just discussing with a friend about my cravings for acidic foods when I was pregnant. It never occurred to me to replace lemons with grapefruit in something like this but I love the sound of it.
Btw - we enjoyed your turkey cannelloni last night for dinner!
Tes
What a gorgeous bread 🙂 I've heard a lot of funny pregnancy craving...this is, too 🙂
EatLiveRun
Looks great! I love grapefruit so I'll have to try this!
Tracy
This sounds absolutely lovely!
burntapple
Yea!! I have grapefruits in my fridge. Guess I know what I'm making for my breakfast tomorrow!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Tiffany
I love the use of grapefruit instead of lemon!
Lindsay @Eat, Knit, Grow
Looks delicious! The grapefruit makes it so unusual too! Very clever.
Maria
Beautiful bread Dara. Pregnancy cravings are interesting:)
Jenny
Oh boy pregnancy cravings are a funny thing aren't they?! I had to have a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal every morning or it wasn't pretty around my house, lol! Love it and love this gorgeous bread recipe!
marla
Dara you pregnancy cravings had me rolling. Mine were along the lines of Scottish smoked salmon & hot chocolate. In one sitting of course. What's with the sweet salty thing?? This grapefruit cake is a gem & a must try 🙂 xo
Pretend Chef
I never had pregnancy cravings like that. I craved bowls of cereal and Snickers ice cream bars (not at the same time). This quick bread sounds so delicious! I love grapefruit. Yummy!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
i love the flavor combination...seriously, so good!
warmvanillasugar
What a unique idea! This sounds so tasty!!
Junglefrog
I've never been pregnant so I cannot comment on that..lol... but this bread would work in any situation I am sure. It looks delicious!