Description
Pink grapefruit bars blend zesty citrus with sweet shortbread in a delightful Mediterranean-inspired treat. Creamy custard and buttery crust create a refreshing dessert you’ll crave after one delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
- 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Filling Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) sugar
- 3 tablespoons (23 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 grapefruit, zested and juiced (1/4 cup or 60 milliliters juice)
Finishing Ingredient:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, creating an overhanging sling for easy removal.
- Cream butter and sugar until pale and airy, approximately 3 minutes. Incorporate flour and salt to form a cohesive mixture.
- Gently press the crust mixture evenly into the prepared pan, ensuring a uniform base.
- Bake the crust for 15-18 minutes until it develops a light golden hue. Remove from oven and let rest momentarily.
- In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk eggs and sugar for one minute until the mixture becomes slightly viscous.
- Fold in flour, then carefully blend grapefruit juice and zest into the egg mixture until thoroughly combined.
- Pour the vibrant citrus filling over the warm crust, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, watching for a delicate golden color and set texture.
- Allow the dessert to cool completely at room temperature, then slice into 16 precisely cut squares using a sharp knife.
Notes
- Substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals to maintain the bar’s delicate texture.
- Reduce sugar by 25% and use alternative sweeteners like monk fruit or stevia for a lower-calorie dessert option.
- Zest grapefruit carefully to avoid bitter white pith, which can make the filling taste harsh and overpowering.
- Chill bars completely before cutting to achieve clean, precise squares and prevent crumbling during slicing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 195
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg