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Grapefruit-Vanilla Shortbread

4.3

(5)

GrapefruitVanilla Shortbread
Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott

In this recipe, a few textured and vibrant toppings gussy up a tender, buttery, and ultrasimple shortbread.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 16

Ingredients

½

cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces, plus more for pan

1

tablespoon finely grated grapefruit zest

1

teaspoon vanilla extract

cup plus 1 cup powdered sugar

1

cup all-purpose flour

½

teaspoon kosher salt, plus more

2

tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice

Himalayan pink salt, dried hibiscus flowers, red sprinkles or sanding sugar, dried rose petals, and/or cracked pink peppercorns (for serving; optional)

Special Equipment

A 9-inch springform pan

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Lightly butter pan. Pulse grapefruit zest, vanilla extract, ½ cup butter, and ⅓ cup powdered sugar in a food processor until smooth and homogenous. Add flour and ½ tsp. kosher salt; pulse just to combine. Press dough evenly into prepared pan, smoothing top with a flat-bottomed glass or measuring cup. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.

    Step 2

    Preheat oven to 350°. Prick shortbread all over with a fork 1"–2" apart, and bake until edges are golden and center is pale but firm to the touch, 15–18 minutes.

    Step 3

    Remove band from pan and immediately cut shortbread into 16 wedges. Let cool.

    Step 4

    Whisk grapefruit juice, a pinch of kosher salt, and remaining 1 cup powdered sugar in a small bowl until smooth. Spread a thin layer of icing over shortbreads with a small offset spatula, leaving a thin border of crust exposed. Top as desired. Let sit 10–15 minutes to allow glaze to set. Retrace cut marks.

    Step 5

    Do Ahead: Dough can be pressed into pan 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

Nutrition Per Serving

Calories (kcal) 120
Fat (g) 6
Saturated Fat (g) 3.5
Cholesterol (mg) 15
Carbohydrates (g) 16
Dietary Fiber (g) 0
Total Sugars (g)10
Protein (g) 1
Sodium (mg) 35
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Reviews (5)

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  • Super easy and very tasty!

    • alabama

    • 1/14/2020

  • My favorite Christmas cookies, can't go without them!

    • Jenna Leigh

    • Fort Lauderdale, FL

    • 12/21/2020

  • These were tasty, very citrusy! Last year I pressed the dough into a cling film covered bottom of a springform pan and froze for about 2 weeks before Christmas. The pan kept several batches of shortbread safe from breakage. I baked from frozen and they were great.

    • Meaux

    • Denver

    • 12/6/2021