Best Grapefruit And Basil Sugar Cookies Recipes

PINK GRAPEFRUIT SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Beat the butter, egg yolk, 2 tablespoons grapefruit zest and the salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add 1 cup confectioners' sugar and beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to medium low and gradually beat in the flour until incorporated.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and dust with flour. Gently knead a few times until soft but not sticky, dusting the surface with more flour as needed. Roll out to slightly thicker than 1/4 inch thick and cut out circles with a 2-to-2 1/2-inch-round cookie cutter. Gather the scraps and reroll to cut out more cookies.
• Arrange the cookies 2 inches apart on 2 baking sheets. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are firm and golden brown on the bottoms, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
• Whisk the remaining 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 1 tablespoon grapefruit juice and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon zest in a bowl until smooth. Gradually whisk in up to 1 tablespoon more grapefruit juice until the glaze is spreadable. Tint pink with food coloring. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon glaze on each cookie. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.

BLACK-AND-PINK GRAPEFRUIT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F with racks in upper and lower thirds. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter with granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons zest on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Reduce speed to low and add half of flour mixture, then buttermilk, then remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat until smooth.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment. Spoon 1/4 cup dough into mounds on sheets, 6 per sheet. Bake, rotating sheets and rack positions halfway through, until edges are lightly golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.
• In a bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, corn syrup, remaining pinch of salt and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla, and 3 tablespoons juice until smooth. Transfer half of icing to another bowl; whisk in cocoa and 1 to 2 tablespoons hot water until you reach desired consistency. Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon zest and tint with 1 to 2 drops of food coloring. (Icing should be a bit thicker than honey; if needed, whisk in more juice.)
• Flip cookies flat-sides up. Using a small offset spatula, spread grapefruit icing over half of each cookie and chocolate icing over other half. Let stand until icing is set, about 1 hour. Cookies can be stored in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days.