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5.0 from 6 votes

Grapefruit Bars

We all know those beloved lemon bars with a shortbread crust and citrusy filling. It’s a sweet but tart dessert that’s getting a makeover using grapefruit instead of lemon in this Grapefruit Bar recipe. 

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Chill Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 40 mins
Servings: 9
Calories: 220 kcal
Course: Dessert , Snacks
Cuisine: International

Ingredients

For the crust:
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup confectioners sugar
  • ¼ cup butter
For the filling
  • 1 cup cane sugar
  • 2 tbsp all purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tbsp grapefruit juice
  • 1 tbsp grapefruit zest
  • 1 tbsp pink food coloring optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
  2. In a microwave safe mixing bowl, melt the butter.
  3. Then fold in all purpose four and confectioners sugar. Combine until a shortbread texture forms. You may want to use a pastry blender here if you have one to ensure all of the clumps of flour have dissolved.
  4. Line a pyrex 8x8 dish with parchment paper. Gently press the crust into the lined pan. Ensure crust an even thickness throughout. Bake for 20 minutes.
  5. While the crust is baking, start on the filling. In the same mixing bowl, fold together sugar, flour, and baking powder.
  6. Add the eggs to the bowl and then using a HAND MIXER (an electric hand mixer is crucial - you will not get the curd-like texture that you’ll need unless you use one) beat the batter.
  7. Add freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and grapefruit zest and food coloring, if using. Mix together again.
  8. Remove the crust after it’s been baked and gently pour the grapefruit filling onto the crust. Bake for another 25 minutes.
  9. After the bars have slightly cooled, place them in the freezer for 2 hours to chill.
  10. After the bars have chilled, allow them to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving. See above for slicing tips. 
  11. Garnish with powdered sugar and fresh grapefruit slices if desired.

Notes

  • You’ll notice that the color doesn’t change much with the addition of grapefruit juice and zest. I added a generous amount of pink food coloring and once it baked, it still didn’t hold the color. If the color is super important to you, make sure you use a lot of pink food coloring.
  • You’ll notice that the color doesn’t change much with the addition of grapefruit juice and zest. I added a generous amount of pink food coloring and once it baked, it still didn’t hold the color. If the color is super important to you, make sure you use a lot of pink food coloring.
  • Store Grapefruit Bars in the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 bar Calories 220kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Monounsaturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 55mg (18%) Sodium 84mg (4%) Potassium 40mg (1%) Sugar 26g (52%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 220

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 bar
Calories 220kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 84mg 4%
Potassium 40mg 1%
Sugar 26g 52%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.