i’ve been thinking about ways to approach (or not to approach) the chaos of life – whilst the burden is to be embraced inevitably away from media, there you are left wondering what does one choose to disclose? often i am reminded of this feeling throughout the internet that life is comprised of the ultimate glow and the most refined place settings – beautiful beacons of life. but what happens when the edges are craggy and can’t be smoothed out and bathed in warm light? my edges are half frozen peas and swollen limbs. my edges are underestimated road conditions and the absolute loss of control. the moment where you’re determined to fix this melting into the moment where you’re floating and there’s no going back. i’ve been meaning to share this poppy-seed pound cake because it’s all we ate at the beginning of this week – and what was simplicity, citrus, and sugar – is now a car crash speckled with bruises, grace, and an overwhelming joy that i can still taste this. crashing the vehicle in the ice and snow will never be glamorous.
if you are a grapefruit or citrus lover, as well one who adores a rich piece of cake for breakfast, lunch, or dinner – i hope that you taste this too.
- zest of 1 large ruby grapefruit
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 4 tbl grapefruit juice
- 3 eggs
- 1¾ cup all purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 tbl poppy seeds
- icing:
- 4 tsp grapefruit juice
- ½ cup confectioner sugar
- preheat oven to 350 degrees. oil and flour an 8" loaf pan.
- in a large bowl combine zest and sugar. message the zest into the sugar until a consistency of wet sand is achieved. to this add and combine/beat the buttermilk, grapefruit juice, and eggs.
- in a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. mix ingredients and add to wet. stir to form a batter.
- lastly, add olive oil and poppy seeds and mix to combine.
- pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 1 hour or until internal temperature is around 210 degrees.
- in a small bowl whisk grapefruit juice and confectioner sugar, until icing has formed. ice pound cake once removed to a wire rack and cooled.
Your images are just stunning Danielle and so is your expression. In life I’m a compulsive splurger of information, which can leave me feeling angst ridden, but it doesn’t have to be that way, as in any aspect of life we have many faces and many shifting levels, and it’s fine to show anything you want. It’s so hard isn’t it. I love your expression, it’s deep and bold and brave and beautiful and a gift to the world, as are your photos and recipes xx
Amy, thank you so much for your thoughtful and dear words – they are a nourishing warmth in the aftermath of this crazy week. I thank you for following along with me, through the beautiful and the muted. ♥
I love that you’ve called this a carcrash pound cake. Life is chaotic and I’ve just accepted that I’ll never know what could happen in the future! I love all the flavours going on here- so much love for citrus lately, I’m going to take advantage of it while it lasts! <3
Genevieve, I agree with my whole heart! The chaos most certainly keeps us on our feet – and the quiet moments are never for too long. And completely sharing the citrus adoration – we just received blood oranges in town and they are so cosmically beautiful. Best to you lovely. ♥
This is a beautiful loaf, simple but special. I’m glad you are okay!
Thank you so dearly Christine, and for your company! It has been a hectic week, but it’s a loaf like this that keeps it all grounded. The simplicity truly sings to me. xo
Lovely ingredients! This must be really delicious ♥
summerdaisy.net
Summer, thank you – and for the visit! I definitely urge you to give it a go – the flavors are perfectly winter. xo
Your writing is so beautiful, as are your photos. This looks delicious!
Thank you sweet Molly! I am a huge fan of grapefruit and this bread delivers all of that love. Hope you are warm! xo
First of all, I am so happy you are okay!! Your words remind me to slow down and acknowledge life’s fragility. I’m happy you shared the happenings occurring on the “edges.” Those edges are important and give shape and dimension to our stories. I also wrestle with what is considered “too much” to share in my online writings. I do a lot of backspacing and often cringe after hitting the “publish” button. I think the more REAL and open we are in our writings knits us all closer together. Here’s to everything being okay well and cheers to all-things-citrusy-and-cheerful!! Much love!
Jayme, thank you truly. Just when you think life is settled and all is still, it’s never shy of throwing you a crazy curve to send you careening. – – I agree with you on everything. Be it our crazy edges that give us depth, and be us more human for having the will to share it all. So much love and citrus back to you, thanks again. ♥
Looks lovely, I am a big grapefruit and citrus lover, so will love this. Yummy!!
I hope you are doing okay, Danielle! I can totally see the beautiful cake being a source of comfort in a delicate situation. It’s so funny, I don’t think I ate a grapefruit for 5 years and then this season I have found myself eating one everyday. I am loving all things citrus.