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    Home » Desserts

    Grapefruit Bars

    Published: Feb 5, 2022 · Modified: Aug 29, 2022 by Ashley · As an Amazon affiliate, this post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    In a nod to the popular lemon bar, these Grapefruit Bars are made with fresh grapefruit juice & zest baked on top of a shortbread crust. These dessert bars are a great way to experience the sweeter flavor of grapefruit!
    Cut grapefruit bars on parchment paper sprinkled with powdered sugar
    While I do love the flavor of lemon, I think it steals the attention from some of the other delicious citrus fruits. From lemonade to this Lemon-Upside Down Cake, lemons have a delicious tartness that applies itself so well to a variety of dishes.
     
    Nature must've known what it was doing when making citrus fruits. Here is the U.S., most citrus fruits ripen in the winter months. What could be a more perfect time for a brightly colored and equally brightly flavored food than during the cold winter months? They provide just the "zest" we need to make it through the rest of winter. 
     
    I find grapefruits to be an under-utilized citrus fruit. We most often see them sprinkled with sugar and eaten with a spoon. Grapefruits tend to have a slightly sweeter and less tart flavor than a lemon or lime. Another great way to use fresh grapefruits is making these Grapefruit Bars!
     

    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. 

    Grapefruit Bars stacked on top of each other with the top of bitten out of

    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.

    Shortbread crust being pressed into bottom of baking dish

    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.

    Grapefruit filling on top of crust ready to be baked

    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!

    Two bars on countertop with one sitting on top

    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:

    Chocolate Mayo Cake

    Graham Cracker Fluff

    Cranberry Orange Cookies

    Cake Mix Apple Cobbler

     

    Be sure to follow The Darling Apron on Facebook & Instagram along with what I’m pinning on Pinterest!

     

    Have you made one of my recipes? I’d love your feedback on the comment box and star rating below the recipe!

    Cut grapefruit bars on parchment paper sprinkled with powdered sugar
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    Grapefruit Bars

    In a nod to the popular lemon bar, these Grapefruit Bars are made with fresh grapefruit juice & zest baked on top of a shortbread crust. These dessert bars are a great way to experience the sweeter flavor of grapefruit!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time40 minutes mins
    Total Time50 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: citrus bars, grapefruit bars, grapefruit dessert bars
    Servings: 16 servings
    Author: Ashley Leonard

    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.

    Helpful Equipment & Ingredient Links

    Citrus Juicer
    Microplane
    8x8 Baking Pan

    Notes

    *Gel food coloring is much stronger than regular, so one drop is plenty. If using regular food coloring more drops may be needed. Add one at a time until light pink color is achieved. This is totally optional but gives the bars a pretty pink hue. 

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    Welcome to The Darling Apron! I'm a wife, mom, & chai tea latte lover who uses food as her love language. I believe some of life's best moments happen when gathered around the kitchen table. Whether making time-honored family recipes or developing new favorites, I love creating memories through delicious food. I hope this space inspires you to do the same!

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