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Pink Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies Recipe

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★★★★

3.8 from 55 reviews

These Pink Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies are delicate, fragrant treats featuring a crisp yet tender cookie infused with fresh pink grapefruit zest and juice. Filled with a creamy, tangy grapefruit-flavored buttercream, they are perfect for spring or summer gatherings, offering a refreshing twist on classic sandwich cookies.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Zest of 1 pink grapefruit
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 egg yolks
  • ¼ cup pink grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed

Filling

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2¾ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pink grapefruit zest
  • 3 tablespoons pink grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 small drop red food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined. Set aside.
  2. Flavor sugar: In a large bowl, rub granulated sugar and pink grapefruit zest together with your fingertips until the mixture is fragrant, releasing the essential oils from the zest.
  3. Cream butter and sugar: Add unsalted butter to the sugar mixture and beat with a mixer until fluffy, about three minutes, creating a light and airy base for the dough.
  4. Add yolks: Mix in the egg yolks until fully incorporated and smooth, which helps bind the dough.
  5. Combine wet and dry: Reduce mixer speed to low and alternately add the flour mixture in three additions and the pink grapefruit juice, mixing just until the dough comes together to avoid overworking.
  6. Chill dough: Transfer the dough to plastic wrap, shape into a disc, and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes to firm up, making it easier to roll out.
  7. Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  8. Roll and cut: Roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
  9. Chill cut cookies: Transfer the cut rounds to the prepared baking sheets and refrigerate for another fifteen minutes to help cookies hold their shape during baking.
  10. Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for about twelve minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. Remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
  11. Make filling: Beat together butter, powdered sugar, and grapefruit zest until fluffy and well combined.
  12. Add juice and color: Add pink grapefruit juice and optional red food coloring, then beat until creamy and smooth for vibrant, flavorful filling.
  13. Assemble sandwiches: Spread the filling generously on the flat side of half the cookies, then top with the remaining cookies to create sandwich cookies.
  14. Storage: Store the sandwich cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice and zest from ripe grapefruits.
  • Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
  • You can substitute cake flour with all-purpose flour if unavailable, but the texture may be less tender.
  • If using food coloring, add a very small drop to avoid overpowering the grapefruit flavor.
  • Cookies can be frozen unfilled; thaw completely before filling and serving.

Keywords: Pink Grapefruit Cookies, Sandwich Cookies, Citrus Cookies, Grapefruit Buttercream, Spring Dessert, Homemade Cookies

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/pink-grapefruit-sandwich-cookies-recipe/