Health Benefits of Grapefruit
Grapefruits are a fruit that are low in calories, but high in nutrients. Grapefruit has been shown to provide benefits such as aiding in weight loss, lowering bad cholesterol, immune health and is high is antioxidants. This isn't to say consuming a whole pan of these Grapefruit Bars is a healthy choice but I'm hopeful it opens your eyes to the benefits of this pretty fruit.
What Kind Of Grapefruit Is Best?
While all grapefruits tend to be orange or yellow on the outside, there are varieties of grapefruit whose flesh is red, pink, yellow and white. The average person will tend to prefer pink-fleshed grapefruits as their flavor is the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. Red grapefruits are typically the sweetest type of grapefruit.
When shopping for grapefruit for these Grapefruit Bars, I tend to lean more toward the Ruby Red or Texas Red grapefruits. This may be because these are the kind my grocery store carries more often. Either way, you can't go wrong with a pink or red grapefruit for this recipe.
The recipe calls for about 1 ½ tablespoons of loosely packed grapefruit zest. Depending on the size of the grapefruit, this may be a whole one zested or just a partial.
How To Make Grapefruit Bars
Shortbread Crust - this type of crust is the signature in traditional lemon bars and works perfectly for these Grapefruit Bars!
In a food processor combine the flour, chunks of cold butter, powdered sugar and pinch of salt. Pulse until fine crumbs form. Press the shortbread into the bottom of an 8x8 baking pan lined with parchment.
- The crust will look very dry, but don't worry! There are little chunks of butter dispersed throughout that will melt when baked and create the most tender, butter crust for these bars.
- Quick Tip: I like to use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the filling into the bottom and corners of the baking pan!
- Bake the crust at 350 for 20 minutes while you prepare the filling.
Grapefruit Filling
- In a mixing bowl combine all the filling ingredients. Whisk well. I add a tablespoon of lemon juice just to bring a hint more tartness to these bars like you'd find in a lemon bar, especially if you are using a red grapefruit.
- Pour filling over hot crust. Bake bars for 20-22 minutes until the center no longer jiggles.
- Allow bars to cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar. Cut into 16 squares.
Do I Have To Use Food Coloring?
In typical lemon bars, it's the eggs that give them their signature yellow color. In the case of these Grapefruit Bars, the color of the juice and zest may not be enough to make the batter the light pink color you may want from something grapefruit flavored.
This is why I add just a drop of pink gel food coloring to the filling. It turns it just the right shade of pink to help these bars scream grapefruit!
Of course, if you would prefer to not sure food coloring, simply leave it out. The bars won't be as colorful, but they will still be just as delicious!
How Long Will They Keep?
I prefer storing Grapefruit Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When stored this way they should keep for 4-5 days (although they don't last that long in my house!).
Grapefruit bars can also be frozen! Skip the powdered sugar on top and wrap the bars in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Allow the bars to thaw in the refrigerator when ready to eat. The bars can be frozen for up to 3 months!
Other popular sweets:
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Grapefruit Bars
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup butter cold
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- pinch of salt omit if using salted butter
Grapefruit Filling
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 tbsp. flour
- ½ tsp. baking powder
- zest of one grapefruit about 1 ½ tbsp., loosely packed
- ¼ cup fresh grapefruit juice
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 drop pink gel food coloring* optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom & sides of 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Cut cold butter into chunks and place in a food processor with flour, powdered sugar and salt. Pulse until fine crumbs are formed.
- Press shortbread into bottom of baking pan and bake for 20 minutes.
Grapefruit Filling
- In a mixing bowl combine all the filling ingredients. Whisk well.
- Pour filling over hot crust. Bake bars for 20-22 minutes until the center no longer jiggles.
- Allow bars to cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar. Cut into 16 squares.
Marilyn says
These were so easy to make. It was a great way to use my ruby reds. I had several people ask for the recipe.
Thank you so much.
Ashley says
So glad you enjoyed them, Marilyn!