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July 28, 2022 Dessert

Grapefruit Bars

This recipe was inspired by one of A Paige Of Positivity's brand partners: Spiked Spindrift. They recently debuted their Paradise Pack filled with 4 tropical flavors. I loved the grapefruit flavor and was inspired to make Grapefruit Bars! Find it in a store near you here.

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure policy.

Citrus and sweet on a shortbread crust

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.

Grapefruit isn’t as tart as lemon, so we’re using more of it in these Grapefruit Bars. Both juice and zest will help achieve that fruity and bright citrusy flavor.

The filling ingredients mixed together form a curd. What is a curd? Curd is the thick substance that forms when mixing eggs and sugar that then gets baked to create a soft, gooey texture that is decadent to sink your teeth into.

Ingredients for grapefruit bars

For the crust:

All Purpose Flour - Flour will make the base of our shortbread crust. See my Lemon Bars recipe for a gluten free / dairy free crust.

Confectioners Sugar - Powdered sugar sweetens up the crust, but still keeps it light and airy.

Butter - Melted butter will give the crust some structure and a rich, gooey texture.

For the filling:

Sugar - Grapefruit is tart! These dessert bars will use cane sugar to contrast the citrus.

All Purpose Flour - Just a bit of flour is added to the filling to give the filling some texture.

Baking Powder - To give the bars some rise, instead of ending up with a gooey, grapefruit mess.

Eggs - Eggs combined with the sugar provide the structure of our curd.

Grapefruit Juice - I used ruby red grapefruit as it’s sweeter and well, pink!

Grapefruit Zest - The zest is packed with even more flavor than the juice.

Pink Food Coloring - Grapefruit juice isn’t super vibrant, especially when mixed with the other filling ingredients. Pink food coloring will give you a brighter dessert bar.

Kitchen equipment & tools needed

To make Grapefruit Bars, you will need an 8 x 8 baking dish, hand mixer, zester, mixing bowl, juicer, rubber spatula, measuring cups and spoons, and parchment paper.

How to make Grapefruit bars

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a microwave safe mixing bowl, melt the butter.
Then fold in all purpose four and confectioners sugar. Combine until a shortbread texture forms. Note: you may want to use a pastry blender here if you have one to ensure all of the clumps of flour have dissolved.
Line a pyrex 8x8 dish with parchment paper. Gently press the crust into the lined pan. Ensure it’s an even thickness throughout. Bake for 20 minutes.
While the crust is baking, start on the filling. In the same mixing bowl, fold together sugar, flour, and baking powder.
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.
Add freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and grapefruit zest. Mix together again. You’ll notice that the color doesn’t change much. 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.
Remove the crust after it’s been baked and gently pour the grapefruit filling onto the crust. Bake for another 25 minutes.
After the bars have slightly cooled, place them in the freezer for 2 hours to chill.
After the bars have chilled, allow them to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving. See below for slicing tips.
Garnish with powdered sugar and fresh grapefruit slices if desired.

Grapefruit Bars FAQs

What is the difference between pink grapefruit and ruby red grapefruit?

Pink grapefruit is more tart than ruby red. If you’d like your Grapefruit Bars on the sweeter side, use Ruby Red.

How do you store Grapefruit Bars? Do the freeze well?

These bars must be stored in the fridge after they have settled. Otherwise, they’ll become an ooey grapefruit soup. These can also be frozen. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.

Are there any tips for success?

USE A HAND MIXER TO WHIP THE FILLING. You will not get the texture you need if using a hand whisk.

What’s the best way to cut dessert bars?

These Grapefruit Bars are sticky! A tip when cutting these dessert bars is to spray your knife with cooking spray before making slices. I also suggest making small marks in the edges of the bars where you’re going to cut to ensure you’ve got even pieces before cutting through.

Why should you love Spiked Spindrift?

Escape what you thought you knew about hard seltzer and enjoy Spindrift Spiked, America’s best tasting hard seltzer. Our new variety pack features an array of juicy, fruit-forward flavors made with real squeezed citrus, passion fruit, and guava. One sip and you’re in a vacation mindset, living a little more adventurously and experiencing everything a bit more. You’ve wanted to get away, but with the Paradise pack, you’re already there.

More desserts you'll love

Dairy Free Lemon Bars

Healthier Carrot Cake Bars

Peach Pound Cake

Glazed Lemon Loaf

Grapefruit Bars

5 from 2 votes

Prep10 mins

Cook30 mins

Total2 hrs 40 mins

Servings9

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.

Author: Courtney Paige

Equipment

Mixing Bowl
8x8 baking dish
Hand Mixer
Zester
Juicer
Measuring cups and spoons
Rubber Spatula
parchment paper

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

Preheat the oven to 350°F
In a microwave safe mixing bowl, melt the butter.
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.
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.
While the crust is baking, start on the filling. In the same mixing bowl, fold together sugar, flour, and baking powder.
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.
Add freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and grapefruit zest and food coloring, if using. Mix together again.
Remove the crust after it’s been baked and gently pour the grapefruit filling onto the crust. Bake for another 25 minutes.
After the bars have slightly cooled, place them in the freezer for 2 hours to chill.
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.
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.

Store Grapefruit Bars in the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved, something that you think it might need, or just say hi!

Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?

If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find GRAPEFRUIT BARS calories and nutrition facts

1 serving: 38 grams Carbs | 6 gram Fat | 3 grams Protein

**Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.

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Kitchen aid lemon squeezer on white background

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July 21, 2022 30 Minutes or Less

Peach Jalapeno Salsa

Nothing says Georgia summer like fresh, juicy peaches. And nothing says Courtney Paige like a heated kick from some good ol' jalapeño. This Peach Jalapeno Salsa is extremely flavorful with not only ripe peaches and spicy jalapeños, but also some crunchy apples, bell peppers, and red onion, along with creamy avocado and zesty lime to finish it out.

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure policy.

Sweet and spicy georgia salsa

As an ode to my time I’m Georgia, here we go with a celebratory peach recipe. If you haven’t yet tried my Peach Pound Cake or Healthy Peach Crisp, those recipes too, take full advantage of the magical fruit.

Fresh and juicy Georgia peaches mixed with spicy jalapeños plenty of additional fresh produce and topped with a healthy squeeze of lime juice. This Peach Jalapeno Salsa has so much flavor and is the perfect balance of sweet and heat you didn’t know you were going to love so much.

Serve as an appetizer or a condiment. Whatever you choose, it’ll be delicious. I chose to enjoy my Peach Jalapeno Salsa on hot dogs with some avocado and horseradish and wowza it was one of the most flavorful meals I’ve had in a while.

Ingredients for Peach Jalapeno Salsa

Georgia Grown Peaches - Georgia Peaches are freshest from May to August. What makes them so special? The mild temperature and more consistent rainfall as compared to other peach growing states makes them extra juicy and flavorful.

Apple - another fruit for a bit more sweetness and an additional texture with their crunch factor.

Avocado - Smooth and creamy avocado rounds out the bright flavors in this salsa.

Bell Pepper - For more texture and more color.

Cherry Tomatoes - when you think salsa you’re mind goes to tomatoes. We will still incorporate them into this Jalapeño Peach Salsa for a bit of that classic taste.

Red Onion - Gives some bite to your salsa.

Cilantro - Fresh herbs are where it’s at when it comes to homemade salsas. Adds to the brightness (in taste and color) of this recipe.

Jalapeño - We want some HEAT to contrast all of sweetness that the peaches and apples bring to this salsa. Might I dare say add a bit more than the recipe calls for for a real kick.

Lime - The citrus will help bring all of our flavors together.

Chile Lime Seasoning - A nice balance of smokiness and citrus to finish off your salsa.

Kitchen equipment & tools needed

To make Peach Jalapeno Salsa, you will need a mixing bowl, vegetable chopper, cutting board, knife, measuring cups and spoons, and a juicer.

How to make Peach Jalapeno Salsa

First prepare the produce: Finely dice peaches, apple, bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, avocado, and jalapeño. I like to use this alligator chopper. Chop cilantro, too. I like to use a pizza cutter for ease and speed.
Add all of the fruits and vegetables into a mixing bowl.
Toss together. Add the lime juice and seasoning and toss again.
Serve with chips as an appetizer or as a garnish to meat or fish!

For Peach Salsa Horseradish Hot Dogs

When adding seasoning and lime juice, also add in Silver Spring Foods Non-GMO Prepared Horseradish to the bowl and toss.
Prepare your hotdogs and buns on the grill. Once they’re cooked, top with Peach Jalapeno Salsa.
Feel free to garnish with more fresh avocado, Silver Foods Foods Horseradish Sauce, and cilantro. Enjoy!

Ingredients for jalapeno peach salsa chopped in individual bowls including peaches, peppers, onions, cilantro, avocado, and lime on stone white background. — Fresh Ingredients

ingredients for jalapeno peach salsa in large mixing bowl before tossing beside one whole peach, cilantro leaves, and half a lime. — Fresh Ingredients

How to Store Peach Jalapeno Salsa

Store in an airtight container for up to three days. I think it’s actually quite enjoyable the day after you make it because all of the flavors marinate together. Waiting much longer, however, the fruit becomes somewhat slimy.

Peach Jalapeno Salsa FAQs

How to choose peaches for peach salsa?

The texture of your peaches will play a large role into the execution of your salsa. You don’t want tough, green peaches as these will be much too bitter. You also don’t want over ripe peaches that’ll turn to mush in your salsa. Choose a firm, red-ish peach with just a bit of give when you squeeze it in your palm.

Do I have to peel peaches for peach salsa?

You definitely don’t have to! I chose to keep the skin on mine, I thought it added a nice texture element. If skin ain’t your thing though, remove it. The necessary flavor is coming from the fruit itself.

What should I serve with peach salsa?

each Salsa can be served in so many different ways. I enjoyed mine with a horseradish hot dog. The sweet and spicy went so well together. Peach Salsa would also go great on top of grilled fish or chicken or on tacos. Or enjoy classically with tortilla chips!

Could I use another fruit?

Use this recipe to create any fruit salsa of your choosing! Swap the peaches for strawberries, pineapple, pears (canned would work best), cherries, melon, or a combination! Pineapple Peach Salsa I think would be amazing.

More dippable recipes to love

Black Eyed Pea Caviar

Fresh Mango Salsa

Pico De Gallo

Spicy Street Corn Feta Dip

jalapeno peach salsa tossed in large white mixing bowl with silver spoon in bowl beside fresh cilantro leaves, half a lime and a whole peach.

Peach Jalapeno Salsa

5 from 2 votes

Prep10 mins

Total10 mins

Servings8

This Peach Jalapeno Salsa is extremely flavorful with not only ripe peaches and spicy jalapeños, but also some crunchy apples, bell peppers, and red onion, along with creamy avocado and zesty lime to finish it out.

Author: Courtney Paige