Grapefruit Bars

Grapefruit Bars are just like your favorite lemon bars with a shortbread crust and citrus curd, but with the sweeter flavor of pink or ruby red grapefruit.

Author Amber Brady

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Chill Time 2

Total Time 2 50

Yields bars

Ingredients

Crust:

1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
¼ tsp salt
½ cup (113 g) butter, room temperature (cut into 8 pieces)

Filling:

1 ½ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
1 Tablespoon grapefruit zest
1 cup (237 ml) grapefruit juice, (or combination or grapefruit + lemon juice*)
pink food coloring, optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease or line an 11x7-inch baking dish with parchment paper that overhangs 2-inches on both sides. (Do not overdo it on the cooking spray; just a very light coating.)
CRUST: Combine the flour, powdered sugar, salt, and butter in a food processor or stand mixer. Pulse/mix until mixture resembles fine crumbs that start to clump together. Press onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake at 350˚F for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
FILLING: Prepare filling when crust is just about done. Whisk together the sugar and flour in a bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Add the zest, juice, and 3 drops or so of food coloring (if desired). Whisk together.
Pour filling over HOT crust and bake an additional 20 minutes or until filling no longer jiggles, and edges brown.
Let cool completely in the pan, about 1 hour. Then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours until cold. Lift bars out of pan with parchment paper for easy cutting and serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Video

Notes

NOTE: Grapefruits are a very mild citrus fruit compared to tangy lemons or limes. Consider using 3/4 cup of grapefruit juice and 1/4 cup lemon juice to help boost the flavor and/or use more zest (up to 1 Tbsp more).

FYI: Pink or White Grapefruit is more tart than Ruby Red Grapefruit
This can be made in a 9x9-inch square baking dish, but would be best made with less filling. The crust measurements can remain the same.
To reduce the filling for a 9x9-inch pan, I would do: 1 cup granulated sugar, 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour, 3 large eggs, 2 tsp grapefruit zest, and 2/3 cup grapefruit juice.
This recipe can be made in a 13x9-inch pan, but you may want to 1.5x the crust recipe, or the crust will be very thin.

Nutrition