Pink Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies
I’ve never been all that buddy-buddy with the citrus family. I don’t dislike it, but those flavors typically don’t top my “currently craving” list. As a kid, I much preferred grape, apple or peach juice to orange (still do). Lemon meringue and key lime pies never tempted me. I’ve tried the whole grapefruit-for-breakfast fad, and called it a miserable failure. That being said, I have been really trying to make an effort to enjoy eating and baking with fruits and vegetables that are currently in season. My favorite fruits (berries and melons) won’t be in season for months, so instead of living on bananas and apples all winter (not a problem for me), I’m trying to experiment with new and different flavors. Enter grapefruit sandwich cookies.
I searched and searched for some grapefruit recipes to experiment with this month. I had one very bad experience with a smoothie, and then hit a home run with these sandwich cookies. Both the cookies and the buttercream filling are infused with the zest and juice from a pink grapefruit. Other iterations of this recipe call for Ruby Red grapefruits and Texas Rio Star grapefruits, but good ol’ pink grapefruits were the only ones sold at my local grocery store. If you’re familiar with other types of grapefruits and want to experiment, feel free to substitute other variations.
I was skeptical about these cookies, but they turned out phenomenal. They have such a bright, fresh flavor and taste really crisp. My mom and Chief Culinary Consultant couldn’t stop eating them; they are perfect with a cup of tea or morning coffee.
Here’s to trying new things and finding new ways to enjoy unfamiliar flavors!
One year ago: Chipped Ham BBQ Sandwiches
Two years ago: S’more Nut Bars
Five years ago: Homemade Gnocchi
Pink Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1½ cups (187.5 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (93.75 g) cake flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 pink grapefruit
- ½ cup (113.5 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 egg yolks
- ¼ cup (59 ml) pink grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
For the Filling:
- ½ cup (113.5 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2¾ cups (330 g) powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons pink grapefruit zest
- 3 tablespoons pink grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 small drop red food coloring, optional
Instructions
- Make the Cookies: Whisk together both flours, the baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
- In the bowl of your mixer, rub together the sugar and grapefruit zest with your fingertips until the zest is evenly distributed and all of the sugar has been moistened. Add the butter to the bowl and beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolks and beat until combined, scraping down the bowl as necessary. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour in three batches, alternating with the grapefruit juice, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix just until the dough comes together. Transfer the dough to a piece of plastic wrap, pat it into a 1-inch disk, wrap in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about â…›-inch thick. Use a 2-inch round cutter to cut out as many cookies as possible and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1-inch apart. Gather together the dough scraps and repeat to get as many rounds as possible. Refrigerate the baking sheets (with the cookies on them) for 15 minutes.
- Bake the cookies until just barely golden brown around the edges and still very light in color in the middle, about 12 minutes. Immediately remove the cookies to a wire rack and cool completely before assembling.
- Make the Filling: Beat together the butter, powdered sugar and grapefruit zest on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the grapefruit juice and food coloring (if using), increase the speed to medium-high and beat until creamy and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Assemble the Cookies: Match up the cookies by size, then spread or pipe on about 1 tablespoon of filling onto the flat side of half the cookies. Top with the matching cookie and press down slightly so the filling is pushed to the edges. The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I have been looking for a chocolate Chambord (or Glogg) cookie recipe… Might you have any suggestions?
Could you substitute blood oranges for the grapefruit?
Made these for teachers’ gifts at the end of the school year…just wonderful! Very light and spring like.
Only three posters have actually tasted these cookies (all liked them). Why did 40 other posters spend time posting about the look or the idea or the thought of baking these cookies? Bake them and taste them and then post. Jeez!
Grapefruit is so delicious and you’ve taken it another step forward. Love it!
made them. A big hit at work. I think the cream would be great on a white cake. I also may try making an orange version. For tea.
I’ve always wanted to bake with grapefruit! And these seem like a great way to start!
Grapefruits vary so widely in size. I want to make these tomorrow, and I’m wondering what size fruit to pick up at the grocery store. I want to get just the right amount of zest. Thanks!
Hi Kat, I would say that the grapefruits I used were of the small-medium size variety; not the enormous ones that you see.
I used a twelve oz fruit, a little larger than a softball in size, and it was amazing!
Made these tonight, they were amazing and tart, just like grapefruit! Definitely had that zing to it. I added pink food coloring to the frosting instead of red, came out lovely. Also added a splash of Cointreau to the batter when mixing. This was my first recipe from your blog and I will be back for more!!!! Loved loved loved these cookies. I made mine into bunny and heart shapes.
Just made a batch of these to share with some gf’s. Very unusual refreshing flavor! Thanks for such a unique recipe :)
i actually love citrus but have never baked with grapefruit. these are gorgeous!
I love citrus but I’m not a big grapefruit fan. These cookies look like they could get me to enjoy grapefruit though. It’s always fun trying new flavors and loving them.
Grapefruit is my favorite flavor! The grapefruit jelly beans are the best (to me at least). I have successfully made Grapefruit & olive oil doughnuts using the zest and a little juice that turned out delicious. I will definitely be making these cookies soon! Thanks for sharing :)
Perfectly refreshing.
These are such great images of these cookies.
These cookies looks so yummy! Thanks so much for the recipe, maybe i can DIY my own cookies :)
These cookies look wonderful! I love any citrus fruit, so these cookies tempt me oh so much… :)
I love grapefruit and I bet these cookies are delicious!
Mmm. Making this in lemon RIGHT NOW. Grapefruit is on the list for next week though :) Can’t get enough of that pink. Blood Orange would be so purdy too!
I have so much grapefruit sitting on my counter. I have been looking for a good recipe to use them in and this might be it! Thanks, Michelle!
Omgarsh I can’t wait to make these!!!
Oh my gosh, I bet this tastes so fresh! I never think to put grapefruit in anything. For som reason, I just breeze right past them in the grocery store. Now I’ve got a reason to stop!
i love pink grapefruits. this cookie sounds refreshing!
What a wonderful idea. I think I will be craving these all day now. They sound so bright and fresh!
These are really beautiful! What a great cookie for a baby shower!
I never liked grapefruit flavor but I gotta say, these look amazing! Must try
I love this flavor combination!
So cute! I can imagine that little flavor burst of grapefruit!
I just bought some lemons & blood oranges. One of these citrus fruits will be used for this recipe very, very soon.
How elegant those look; they wouldn’t be out of place at Downton Abby I am sure! I’m pinning too.
Wow! These are stunning. I love grapefruit. A wonderful idea for valentines day. I will try these at home soon. Please check out the food blog I have just started http://www.surreyKitchen.wordpress.com. Thanks!
Love these cookies! Never been a fan of the citrus family, too. It’s just now that I start to discover that they taste good baked too!
I am like you – citrus has never really been what I crave or would pick. I am content with apples and banans during the winter until my favorites come back. But there are so many grapefruit and lemon recipes out there lately, I am going to have to get on the bandwagon, and give them a try!!
I’ve never tried baking with grapefruit. Love these!
They are awfully pretty, and what a unique flavor too!
Beautiful! I love pink grapefruit…these both look and sound delicious!
Like many people, I have to avoid grapefruit because of its interaction with many medications (including birth control pills – no longer a worry for this old gal). I’ll have to research if cooking makes it safe to eat, though the icing still may be off-limits. Might have to sub OJ instead. They sound & look delicious.
Now this is a way to have grapefruit! I love it! The cookies are so pretty too!!
These are absolutely fabulous. I love all the citrus – but grapefruits and i have never been keen on eachother – maybe it’s time to revisit that strained relationship. :)
These look incredible. You’re so talented!!!
I am so jealous – you can actually eat grapefruit. I can’t … I take statins and grapefruit and statins are a big no-no. They look awfully good. I think I will take the recipe and make a few changes and go for … Meyer Lemon cookies???
A Meyer Lemon version sounds delicious!
These look absolutely delightful! I’m actually a big fan of grapefruit and love seeing it in surprising recipes like this one. Such a perfect Valentine’s Day cookie!!
Yay, I’m so glad you enjoyed these!! This recipe was one of my first experiences with grapefruit, and it definitely convinced this skeptic :) Your cookies look perfect!!
Beautiful photos!!! I find cookies the hardest to photograph, but you make it look so simple!
These are so cute! I never would have thought to use grapefruit in a cookie, but it sounds great.
I am impressed that you used grapefruit – juice and zest – in both the filling AND the cookies. Sometimes I see like lemon cookies and they have 2 tsp of lemon juice for 3 dozen cookies…hardly very lemony. I can imagine that these pack a nice punch and not only that, they’re gorgeous! So light, airy, just beautiful!
I have a ton of grapefruit on hand and like you, have been searching without much luck for a good recipe to put them to use in. Nice job on these! Pinning!
These are gorgeous! I love citrus desserts, but I’ve actually never tried a grapefruit dessert. Clearly, that needs to change! :)
Yum! Can’t wait to try these. I am a new grapefruit fan and I am loving trying new ways to enjoy it!