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brown derby Grapefruit Cake

Here is one of the old Brown Derby’s classic desserts. Founded in 1926, the restaurant was very popular with ’s most glamorous actors during the heyday of such stars as , Bette Davis and Lana Turner. In this recipe, the addition of crushed grapefruit to the frosting, as well as having grapefruit sections placed between and on top of the cake, offer a promise of what’s within. Of the many icons of Hollywood’s Golden Era, the Brown Derby restaurant took its place as one of the stars’ favorites. It was known for the hundreds of caricatures YIELD: ONE 9-INCH CAKE of Hollywood celebrities that filled its walls as well as well as for its novel architecture. The Brown Derby proved CAKE that you could build a restaurant anywhere – even in 1 1/2 cups cake flour 1/4 cup vegetable oil the shape of a hat – and if the food and service were 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3 large eggs, separated good, the customers would come flocking. 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 4 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice Wonderful food, fine service and glamorous patrons 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest brought international fame to the restaurant, a watering 1/4 cup water 1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter hole for such personalities as Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart, , Gloria Swanson and Cecil Preheat oven to 350°F. B. DeMille. Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into mixing bowl. Make a well in center of dry At the time it was designed and built in 1926, fine ingredients. Into the well add the water, oil, egg yolks, grapefruit juice and lemon zest. Beat everything dining in was still lacking. The Brown until very smooth. In another mixing bowl beat the egg whites and cream of tartar separately until Derby helped change this. It embodied the California the whites are stiff but not dry. Gradually pour the egg yolk mixture over whites and, with a rubber spirit of finest ingredients, great seasonings and plush spatula, fold them together gently until they are just blended. Do not stir mixture. comfort. In the Brown Derby pastry kitchen, the pastry chefs used only the purest and most expensive ingredients Pour the mixture into an ungreased pan and bake 30 - 40 minutes, or until the cake springs back to make the cakes light, fluffy and delicious. They never when lightly touched with a finger. Invert the cake on a rack. With the cake remaining in the pan, tasted as they worked. Instead, they carefully measured allow it to cool. Then run a spatula around edge of cake and carefully remove it from the pan. With and prepared ingredients knowing the finished product a serrated knife, gently cut cake in half horizontally to create two layers. would come out perfectly.

GRAPEFRUIT CREAM CHEESE FROSTING This grapefruit cake was a favorite of the chefs as well 12 ounces cream cheese 3 tablespoons crushed grapefruit as the guests who frequented the restaurant. 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 3 – 4 drops yellow food coloring The Brown Derby restaurant closed in 1985. 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 2 cups well drained 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted grapefruit sections

Allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature, then beat until it is fluffy. Add the lemon juice and zest. Gradually blend in the sugar. Add the food coloring and beat the mixture until everything is well blended. Crush a sufficient amount of grapefruit flesh to fill 2 tablespoons and blend them into the frosting. Spread some of the frosting on the bottom layer of the cake and top with grapefruit sections. Place the second layer atop the first and spread more frosting on the top and sides until they are covered. Garnish with the remaining grapefruit sections.

Recipe courtesy of Brown Derby

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