Grapefruit-Berry Shortcake

What is it about berries and springtime? I’m big on fruit…even more so if that fruit is attached to shortcake. I saw a recipe online for berry shortcake and thought that maybe JUST maybe, that shortcake would be better if combined with the zest of grapefruit. Some friends had trouble digging into this dessert because they thought it was too pretty…I felt just the opposite. I clearly was not going to stare at it all evening…so I dug in, full force, no looking back. I’ve come to the conclusion that I approach both dessert and life with the same mentality! And I am quite alright with that :) xoxo

Ingredients
For the cake:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon grated grapefruit zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3  eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
For the berries:
16 ounces fresh mixed berries
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
For the frosting:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray, and line the bottoms with circles of parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter, sugar, grapefruit zest and vanilla on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the sour cream until smooth. Reduce the speed to low and stir in the dry ingredients until the batter is well-blended. Divide the batter equally between the two pans and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before switching them to wire racks.
Place the berries in a large bowl. Add the sugar and stir well. Let sit for 15 minutes.
To make the frosting, beat together all ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer until smooth.
To assemble the cake, place one cooled cake layer on a serving platter. Spread half to the frosting over the cake and spread evenly then spoon half the berry mixture and its juices over the cake. Repeat with the second cake layer!

Cheers to spring and cheers to YOU!
-Bay