Grapefruit Sugar Cookies

Grapefruit.  You either love it or hate it.  I definitely fall into the love category.  When I can find grapefruit for a good price at the grocery store, I generally eat it every day.  I have been toying with the idea lately of baking with grapefruit.  I have to say that I can't recall seeing very many recipes using grapefruit.  I am here to change all that.


I found the original recipe for these cookies here.  I switched out the lime for grapefruit and topped it with a white chocolate drizzle.  These cookies turned out very well.  They are sweet and chewy with an essence (if you will) of grapefruit.  The grapefruit is not overpowering, but instead gives these cookies a rather fresh taste.  If you prefer, you can omit the white chocolate drizzle.


Grapefruit Sugar Cookies


Cookies:
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons grapefruit zest
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 Tablespoons grapefruit juice
1/2 cup sugar, to roll cookies


White Chocolate drizzle:
Pinch of grapefruit zest
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening
1 drop red gel food coloring


Preheat the oven to 350F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Set aside.


In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter, sugar, and grapefruit zest.  Turn the mixer on medium speed and beat until light and fluffy.  Add the egg, vanilla, and grapefruit juice.  Beat again on medium speed until well incorporated.  The mixture may look curdled, that is okay. In a medium sized bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Add to the creamed mixture and beat on low speed until the flour is completely mixed in.


Place the 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl.  Scoop the dough into heaping tablespoon sized balls.  Roll the balls of dough in the sugar, then place on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.  Bake for about 10 minutes.  Remove the cookies from the oven and let sit on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes.  Remove the cookies from the baking sheet and place on a cooling rack to cool completely.


For the white chocolate drizzle, place the grapefruit zest, white chocolate chips, and shortening in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring after each, until white chocolate is melted and smooth.  Add one drop of red food coloring, and stir until the color is even.  Drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies.  Makes about 30 cookies.


Enjoy!  -Cardamommy