A Sweet and Fruity Brown Derby Cake

The Brown Derby cake is a retro dessert that’s beloved by foodies across all generations. Taking inspiration from the classic Brown Derby Cocktail, made up of bourbon, honey and grapefruit juice, this elegantly simple cake is bursting with flavour, from the tartness of grapefruit juice and zest to the richness of the toasted almonds. Its light texture and mild sweetness makes it an especially fitting treat for summer get-togethers, where it’s sure to tantalize the taste buds.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup softened butter

  • 1/4 cup canola oil

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed and strained pink or white grapefruit juice

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1 and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 cup grapefruit zest

  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9-inch round or 7×11-inch baking pan.

  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and oil. Beat in the sugar until light and fluffy, then add the eggs one at a time and beat until smooth. Slowly add in the grapefruit juice and vanilla and beat again until creamy.

  3. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together and add to the wet ingredients and mix until all ingredients are just blended. Stir in the grapefruit zest and toasted almonds and pour batter into the prepared pan.

  4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool before serving.

The Perfect Derivative: Brown Derby Cake Bars

For those with a love of retro desserts but limited time, Brown Derby Cake Bars are the perfect solution. Combining the same delightful flavour and delectable texture of the original cake with the convenience of bar form, these treats call for only 20 minutes of prep time and can be cut into as many or few servings as desired.

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup butter, melted

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed and strained pink or white grapefruit juice

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1 and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 cup almond slivers, toasted

  • 2 tablespoon grapefruit zest

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan.

  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the grapefruit juice and vanilla. Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder together, then stir into the wet ingredients until just blended.

  3. Stir in the almonds and grapefruit zest and pour the batter into the prepared pan.

  4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool before serving.

Takeaway

The Brown Derby cake and its bar form adaptation offer a delicious way to sweeten up summer get-togethers without spending too much time in the kitchen. With its unique combination of flavors—tart grapefruit zest, toasted almonds and a hint of vanilla—this deliciously retro dessert is sure to make any occasion special.