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Grapefruit Cookie Bars

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Cindy Rahe
Updated Mar 5, 2026
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Fans of grapefruit will love these easy small-batch Grapefruit Cookie Bars made with Betty Crocker™ Sugar Cookie Mix! These bars bake-up super soft and chewy thanks to the addition of sour cream and a little cornstarch. A zesty fresh grapefruit icing tops the bars and adds a bright contrast to the sweet and buttery cookie base. The perfect treat to have on the counter this week.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a look at the ingredients you’ll need to make these zesty Grapefruit Cookie Bars.

Sugar Cookie Mix: The perfect base for these easy, soft, and chewy bars.

Sour Cream: One of the key ingredients that makes these bars soft and tender, while adding rich flavor.

Cornstarch: Just a little cornstarch makes these bars extra soft and tender.

Fresh Grapefruit: Both the zest and juice of a fresh grapefruit are used in this recipe, giving these bars their signature citrus flavor.

Other Ingredients You'll Need: Eggs, melted butter, powdered sugar, salt, and peach or pink gel food color (optional).

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How to Make Grapefruit Cookie Bars

Here are the basics of how to make these soft and chewy Grapefruit Cookie Bars. Follow the recipe for full detailed instructions.

1. Zest and Juice the Grapefruit

Zest a large grapefruit. You will use most of the zest for the cookie base, while reserving about 1 teaspoon for the icing. Juice the grapefruit and set aside to use in the icing.

2. Mix up the Bars

This cookie bar is enriched with sour cream and lots of grapefruit zest. It comes together quickly and can be mixed easily by hand. It will resemble a thick batter.

3. Bake the Bars

Bake the bars until they are golden brown around the edges and the top begins to turn light golden brown.

4. Make the Icing

Mix up the icing while the bars bake and pour it over the bars while they are still somewhat warm.

5. Cool and Cut the Bars

Cool the bars completely at room temperature before cutting. Using the overhanging parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan onto a cutting board. Cut into 9 squares.

How to Store Grapefruit Cookie Bars

Use these tips to store Grapefruit Cookie Bars.

Room Temperature

These bars store really well at room temperature. Place them in an airtight container in a single layer for 2 to 3 days.

Refrigerator and Freezer

We do not recommend storing these bars in the fridge or freezer as the icing will become sticky and wet.

Grapefruit Cookie Bars

  • Prep Time 15 min
  • Total 1 hr 50 min
  • Servings 9
  • Ingredients 11
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Ingredients

Bars

Icing

  • 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons grapefruit zest
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 to 2 drops peach or pink gel food color, if desired

Instructions

  • Step 
    1

    Heat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to aid in lifting the bars out after baking. 

  • Step 
    2

    In a large bowl, stir cookie mix, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon grapefruit zest, eggs, melted butter, and sour cream until well blended and a thick batter forms. Spread batter evenly into the baking pan. 

  • Step 
    3

    Bake bars for 22 to 25 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

  • Step 
    4

    Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the grapefruit juice, 1 to 2 teaspoons grapefruit zest, powdered sugar, and salt until smooth and the consistency of thick honey or molasses. Stir in gel food color. 

  • Step 
    5

    Remove the bars from the oven and cool on cooling rack for 10 minutes. Pour the icing over the warm bars and spread evenly. Cool for about 1 hour in the pan or until bars are completely cool and icing has set and formed a crust.

  • Step 
    6

    Remove bars from the pan using the parchment paper to help lift them out. Cut into 9 bars (3 rows by 3 rows).

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts are not available for this recipe

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