Name: Red Grapefruit Shortbread Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 320 min
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/8 tsp. fine sea salt; 1/2 cup +1 Tbsp. unsalted butter (cold and cubed); 2 eggs; 2 egg yolks; 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (sifted); 1/2 cup freshly squeezed red grapefruit juice; 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice; 2 Tbsp. grapefruit zest; 3-4 drops red food coloring (optional, for brighter color); Dusting of confectioner's sugar

Featuring a classic buttery shortbread base and silky and sweet red grapefruit topping, the cheerful color palette and bright citrus flavors make these shortbread bars a refreshing treat for spring. Use freshly squeezed juice for best results, and don’t skip the lemon – it creates the perfect balance of tart and sweet. To make the topping more vibrant, add a few drops of red food coloring, or leave as is for a perfectly pretty pale pink.

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Red Grapefruit Shortbread Bars

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Cool & Chill 4 hours

Total Time 5 hours 20 minutes

Servings 16

Calories 209 kcal

Author Rebecca Frey

Ingredients

Shortbread base

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/8 tsp. fine sea salt
1/2 cup +1 Tbsp. unsalted butter cold and cubed

Grapefruit topping

2 eggs
2 egg yolks
1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour sifted
1/2 cup freshly squeezed red grapefruit juice
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbsp. grapefruit zest
3-4 drops red food coloring optional, for brighter color

Finisher

Dusting of confectioner's sugar

Instructions

Shortbread base

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8-inch square pan with parchment and spray with nonstick spray.
In large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar and salt.
Add butter and use your hands to combine until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Gently press mixture into prepared pan.
Bake 30-35 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and set aside. Leave oven set at 350 degrees F.

Grapefruit topping

In medium bowl, whisk together eggs, egg yolks and sugar.
Whisk in flour, followed by grapefruit juice, lemon juice and grapefruit zest.
Whisk in pink food coloring, if using.
Pour grapefruit topping over warm shortbread base.
Bake 30 minutes or until center just barely jiggles.
Cool bars at room temperature for 2 hours. Transfer to refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours or until ready to serve.
Prior to serving, dust with confectioner's sugar. Slice into 16 2-inch squares.
Refrigerate leftover bars in airtight container for up to 3 days.