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

Yield: 18 sandwich cookies

Prep Time: 40 minutes mins

Cook Time: 12 minutes mins

Chilling time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

A recipe for sandwich cookies infused with both the juice and the zest of pink grapefruit.

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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

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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 ⅛-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

Nutritional values are based on one serving

Calories: 271kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 48mg, Sodium: 68mg, Potassium: 50mg, Sugar: 29g, Vitamin A: 345IU, Vitamin C: 2.7mg, Calcium: 18mg, Iron: 0.6mg

Did you make this recipe?

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Author: Michelle Lettrich

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American