Zesty Grapefruit Citrus Bars (Print)

Buttery crust meets bright grapefruit custard in these zesty bars, perfectly balanced between sweet and tart flavors.

# What You Need:

→ Shortbread Crust

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - ½ cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Grapefruit Filling

05 - 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
06 - ¼ cup all-purpose flour
07 - 4 large eggs
08 - ¾ cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
09 - 1 tablespoon grapefruit zest
10 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

→ Finishing

11 - Powdered sugar for dusting

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang on sides for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in flour and salt until just combined.
03 - Press dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
04 - While crust bakes, whisk together sugar and flour in a separate bowl. Add eggs, grapefruit juice, grapefruit zest, and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth and completely combined.
05 - Pour the filling mixture evenly over the hot crust immediately after removing it from the oven.
06 - Return pan to oven and bake for 18-22 minutes until the center is just set with minimal jiggle.
07 - Let cool completely in the pan. Using parchment overhang, lift out the bars and cut into squares.
08 - Dust tops generously with powdered sugar just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The buttery crust balances perfectly with the bright, tangy custard topping
  • They taste like sunshine on a plate, even on the gloomiest spring day
  • You can make them ahead and they actually get better after chilling overnight
02 -
  • Pouring the filling over a hot crust helps the two layers bond together instead of separating
  • The center should still have a slight wobble when you remove it from the oven, it will firm up as it cools
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent the filling from curdling and ensure a silky smooth texture
03 -
  • Use a microplane or fine zester to avoid getting any bitter white pith in your zest
  • If your grapefruits seem especially tart, add an extra tablespoon of sugar to the filling mixture

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