“YUM. I had a feeling I would like these, but I ended up LOVING them! New favorite treat.”
Grapefruit bars offer a delightful twist on classic dessert bars, combining a buttery crust with a tangy grapefruit filling. This recipe provides a refreshing burst of citrus flavor, perfect for any occasion where a zesty treat is welcomed.
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Ingredients:
For the Crust:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Cold butter, cubed | ½ cup (1 stick) |
| Powdered sugar | ⅓ cup |
| Salt | ¼ teaspoon |
For the Filling:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Large eggs | 3 |
| Granulated sugar | 1 ¼ cups |
| All-purpose flour | 2 tablespoons |
| Baking powder | ½ teaspoon |
| Zest of 1 grapefruit | From 1 grapefruit |
| Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice | 2 tablespoons |
| Freshly squeezed lemon juice | 1 tablespoon |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Optional: Red food coloring | 1-2 drops (if using) |
Instructions:
Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Form Crust: Press the mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan to form an even layer.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
Prepare the Filling:
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking powder, grapefruit zest, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and food coloring (if using). Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
Assemble and Bake:
- Pour Filling: Pour the filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake: Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly golden around the edges.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
Serve:
- Lift and Cut: Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into squares or rectangles.
- Dust with Sugar: Dust with additional powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
