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Home » Dessert

Published: Jan 14, 2020 · Modified: Apr 29, 2020 by Libby Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment · 1177 words. · About 6 minutes to read this article.

Grapefruit Campari Bars

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Grapefruit Campari Bars - Tart and creamy grapefruit Campari curd topping a whole wheat shortbread cookie crust. A tasty twist on a classic lemon bar!

grapefruit campari bars

Let’s talk Campari. Have you tried it before? Campari is an Italian liqueur that’s traditionally served before a meal to cleanse the palette (also known as an apéritif). This bitters has that bitter flavor with hints of orange and herbs. 

Hi there! Below you’ll find affiliate links to great products that we enjoy using in our own kitchen.

grapefruit campari bars

Campari is made by infusing herbs, fruit and aromatics in water and alcohol. Known for its deep red color, Campari used to be made with carmine dye, which is derived from the female cochineal insect. In the U.S it’s no longer made with this dye, but instead is artificially colored.  

Campari is most commonly used in cocktails like a Negroni and Americano. I will say, it’s certainly an acquired taste with a strong bittersweet orange flavor. But it pairs perfectly with grapefruit. 

I knew I wanted to create a twist on a lemon bar by using grapefruit, but I wanted to add another element to really set these bars apart. I pulled out my trusty Flavor Bible and flipped to grapefruit to see what else pairs well with the citrus. First thing I found was Campari, so I wanted to give it a try!

I started with a delicious whole wheat shortbread crust and topped it with a creamy grapefruit and campari curd. And it came out beautifully! So flavorful - once we got through the first batch, Dalton insisted I make another. 

These Grapefruit Campari Bars are delectable, sweet and creamy. Super simple, yet stunning. 

grapefruit campari bars

Ready to make these Grapefruit Campari Bars? Let’s do it!

1 - Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave a little hanging over to make it easier to cut. 

2 - Mix the crust. Cream butter and sugar together in a medium bowl. Add salt and vanilla extract, then add in flour and stir until completely mixed. The dough will be thick. Press the dough firmly into the baking pan, making sure it’s even. I like to use my fingertips to press it in and don’t forget those corners. Bake for 15 minutes - until the edges are slightly brown. 

3 - Make the filling. Sift together the sugar and flour in a large bowl. Add eggs, Campari, grapefruit juice and zest. Whisk until fully combined. 

4 - Pour the filling over the warm crust and spread out evenly. Bake for about 35 minutes or until the filling hardly moves when gently shaken and the center is slightly set. Remove from the oven and let cool at room temperature for about 2 hours. Then I usually put it in the fridge until it’s completely chilled. 

5 - Once completely cooled, lift the parchment paper out of the baking pan and set on a cutting board. Dust with powdered sugar and cut into squares. Enjoy!

grapefruit campari bars

Grapefruit Campari Bars: Tips, Tricks and Tools

Tools: You’ll need mixing bowls, a whisk, a 9x13 inch baking pan, and parchment paper.

Save the grapefruit peelings (zest them and save any extra), use them to flavor water or give a fresh scent to a homemade vinegar cleaner. 

Substitute: If you don’t have Campari, use Aperol instead. Aperol is another bitter liqueur with a slightly milder flavor than Campari. 

Check out this great roundup of Campari cocktails for more Campari recipe ideas. 

Use eco-friendly parchment paper and compost it when you’re done.

grapefruit campari bars

We hope you love these delectable Grapefruit Campari Bars!

Love this simple dessert recipe? Check out our other delicious simple dessert recipes like this Cinnamon Baked Apples or our Almond Butter Truffles.

Did you enjoy these Grapefruit Campari Bars as much as we do?

Comment below! And rate the recipe to let us know how it turned out! Not cooking today? Save these Grapefruit Campari Bars for later by pinning it to your Desserts Recipes Board and make sure to tag us at The Crooked Carrot Instagram to show us your Grapefruit Campari Bar creations!

📖 Recipe

grapefruit campari bars

Grapefruit Campari Bars

Grapefruit Campari Bars - Tart and creamy grapefruit campari curd topping a whole wheat shortbread cookie crust. A tasty twist on a classic lemon bar!
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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Author: The Crooked Carrot

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

  • 1 cup butter at room temperature
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour

Grapefruit Campari Filling

  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 cup grapefruit juice juice from one large grapefruit
  • 2 tablespoons grapefruit zest
  • 2 tablespoons Campari
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave a little hanging over the sides to make it easier to cut and remove the bars.
  • Mix the crust. Cream butter and sugar together in a medium bowl. Add salt and vanilla extract, then add in flour and stir until completely mixed. The dough will be thick and slightly crumbly. Press the dough firmly into the baking pan, making sure it’s even. I like to use my fingertips to press it in (don’t forget the corners). Bake for 15 minutes - you want the edges to be lightly brown.
  • Prepare the filling. Sift together the sugar and flour in a large bowl. Add eggs, Campari, grapefruit juice and zest. Whisk until fully combined.
  • Pour the filling over the warm crust and spread out evenly. Bake for about 35 minutes or until the filling hardly moves when gently shaken and the center is slightly set.
  • Cool. Remove from the oven and let cool at room temperature for about 2 hours. Then transfer to the fridge until it’s completely chilled.
  • Cut and enjoy! Once completely cooled, lift the parchment paper out of the baking pan and set on a cutting board. Dust with powdered sugar and cut into squares. Enjoy!

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls
  • Whisk
  • Eco-friendly Parchment Paper
  • Pyrex Baking Dish 9x13inch

Notes

PREP AHEAD: You can prepare the curd and the shortbread crust in advance and simply bake them together for a dessert that comes together in about 35 minutes. If you make them in advance, wait to dust them with powdered sugar until just before serving. 
LEFTOVERS/STORAGE: These bars can be refrigerated for up to a week, you may need to re-dust them with powdered sugar. They can also be frozen individually for 3-4 months and thawed in the fridge. 
NUTRITION NOTES: These Grapefruit Campari Bars are an indulgent dessert. While it is fruit based, it’s made with shortbread crust and the filling is sweetened, which contributes fat and added sugar. That’s not to say these Grapefruit Campari Bars can’t be part of a balanced diet, just be mindful of portion sizes.
Adapted from CookingLight.com.

Nutrition

Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 296IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @crooked.carrot or tag #thecrookedcarrot!

Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that should you purchase something through the link, The Crooked Carrot will receive a small commission. The item cost remains the same regardless of whether you purchase through our link or not. Any commission earned simply helps us continue to provide all our great content to you. From seasonal recipes to simple nutrition insights & sustainable zero waste tips, we have lots more to give!

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About Libby

Welcome! I'm Libby, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, photographer & co-adventurer with my husband Dalton. We love all things outdoors, making a mess in the kitchen, and exploring the adventure of life! Read more ↠

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Hey, I'm Libby!

Hi, I'm Libby! Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. I help people find food freedom, learn to nourish and reconnect with their bodies so they can live a fuller life.

About Libby

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The Crooked Carrot sits on the traditional lands of the Diné Bikéyah (Navajo), Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), and Pueblos people, both past and present, now called Durango, Colorado. I acknowledge the wounds of the past in hopes of being able to heal for a better tomorrow.


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