This quick and easy grapefruit tart is light, bright and so refreshing. Topped with toasted coconut & chopped almonds – it’s a flavour combination that’s hard to beat.
I know grapefruits are at their best in the winter.
But they’re always available where we shop.
And Red is a little obsessed with them so we always have them around.
So I decided it’s time to get in on the action and bake something grapefruit-y.
Grapefruit tart
Instead of a cake, I decided to make a grapefruit tart. It’s summer after all and I wanted something light and refreshing. And refreshing, this is.
Creamy, not overly sweet, with a hint of that grapefruit tartness – a slice of this on a hot summer day will immediately cool you down (or on a cold winter day – cheer you up!)
Don’t skip the toasted coconut and almonds – coconut with grapefruit is the flavour combination food dreams are made of.
Grapefruits are not acidic enough
I love key lime pie. So I initially thought I could just switch the citrus and use my eggless key lime pie recipe.
But after much research I found that the acidity of grapefruit is lower than key limes (or lemons) so the pie will not set if they are subbed.
Cornstarch?
There were lots of ideas out there about how to address this including putting crushed vitamin C into the recipe.
I was not comfortable with that so I settled on cornstarch. The original recipe asked for 3 tablespoons, which I thought was a lot but I promise you will not taste it in the tart.
Slice of the tropics
The only thing you will taste is deliciousness.
Served cold and topped with toasted coconuts and chopped almonds, a slice of this tart is pure bliss.
It’s luxuriously creamy, it has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, the coconut lending crunch and a tropical flair.
I’m not a big grapefruit fan but I am a huge fan of this tart. If you manage to get a hold of grapefruits this season, grab a few and treat yourself to a unique tart with flavours that are hard to beat.
Summery Grapefruit Tart
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup salted butter melted
- 1 pcs egg white from a large egg lightly beaten
- ½ cup condensed milk
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 ½ cups fresh ruby red grapefruit juice from about 2-3 grapefruits
- 3 pcs egg yolks from large eggs lightly beaten
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature
- pinch salt
- ¼ cup shredded coconuts toasted
- ¼ cup chopped almonds toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Mix 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs and ⅓ cup butter until the crumbs are evenly moist.
- Press on the bottom and sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
- Lightly brush with egg white.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes or until light, golden brown. Set aside and turn the oven off.
- In a medium saucepan stir ½ cup condensed milk, 3 tablespoons cornstarch and 1 ½ cups grapefruit juice until well combined. Cook on medium heat until thick and bubbly.
- Lower the heat and add the 3 egg yolks. Stir constantly to avoid scrambling the eggs. Bring to a light boil. Cook and stir for another 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add the 6 tablespoons of butter until melted. Add a pinch of salt and give the mixture one final stir.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into the prepared crust.
- Cover loosely with aluminum foil and chill for at least 6 hours or until set.
- Top with toasted coconut and almonds and serve cold.
Nutrition
Nutritional information are estimates only.
(Recipe adapted from BHG).
Happy baking!
Did you make this grapefruit tart? Tell me about it in the comments section below. I’d love to hear all about it.
Kyla Matton Osborne
I am not much of a fan of key lime pie, but grapefruit? Yes, please! I wonder, would bottled juice work instead of fresh-squeezed?
Jolina
Hi Kyla! I think bottled juice would work. As with KLP, some people prefer to use bottled instead of fresh juice. Just watch the sweetness or the acidity (sourness). Since they are concentrated their flavour will be stronger than fresh (I do recommend using fresh juice though 🙂
Anna
Gorgeous tart and must be delicious! Absolutely great recipe also I love that it’s less acid, perfect for summer! – Love, Anna
Jolina
Thanks Anna! It is a really refreshing tart, awesome for summer 🙂
Laura
Thank you for this recipe! I just made it last night and had to let you know that it turned out fantastic! I didn’t have any graham crackers so I made a shortbread crust instead. Also, the toasted coconut on top is an absolute must! Great dessert 🙂
Jolina
Hi Laura! I’m so happy to hear that! So glad you liked it 🙂 Shortbread crust sounds delightful. And isn’t toasted coconut just icing on the tart, so to speak? 🙂 I love it, it awesome. Have a wonderful day!
Igor
What a great idea. I have never tried grapefruit tart before. Amazing! I am so making this.
Jolina
Hi Igor! Thanks very much! It is definitely a unique combination of flavours. Hope you like it! Would love to hear how it goes 🙂
Dannii
I usually just grill grapefruit and sprinkle it with some sugar, but this likes a delicious way to use it.
Jolina
Hi Dannii! We usually just broil it with brown sugar and pepper 🙂 This was a welcome change for sure 🙂
Heather
This is gorgeous!!! What a great way to add grapefruit into your day .. beautiful recipe!
Donna
Oh wow this sounds amazing!! I am with you on the grapefruit – it always seems like more of a summer fruit to me, even though they aren’t. My neighbors tree is still producing atm, so I have a heap on hand (yay for fruit swapping neighbours), and will be trying this out for sure! yum
Jolina
Hooray for neighbours with awesome trees! 🙂 Hope you love this tart as much as we do! It’s really a fantastic treat on a hot summer day. Thanks Donna!
Sarah
I have never tried baking a tart with grapefruit. What a great idea.
Jolina
Hi Sarah! Love this tart. It’s one of my favourites now 🙂 Hope you get to try the recipe. Would love to know what you think about it 🙂
Amy Scott
This would make my husbands eyes water but I love the tang of grapefruit! Delicious!
Jolina
Glad you’re a grapefruit fan 🙂 Thanks very much Amy!
Jessica
I love tart!!! I could imagine how soothing it could be with the coconut and almond.
Jolina
Glad to hear that! 🙂 Each bite of this tart is so summery and tropical – it’s giving my favourite key lime pie serious competition.
Subhadrika Sen
thats the first time I have heard of grapefruit tart. I love grapefruits and lemon tarts. I would definitely love to try out this new combination.
Jolina
Awesome! Hope you enjoy this tart as much as we did! Would love to hear about how it goes 🙂 Thanks Subhadrika!
Kim
Grapefruits are one of my favorite things, so this looks amazing to me! I would have totally tried the same thing, subbing for limes in a key lime pie. Good to know that won’t work! 🙂
Jolina
Hi Kim! And yeah, I almost did it too but Google was calling my name 🙂 Hope you get to try this tart recipe! 🙂
Klauss
Grapefruit my favorite citrus fruit (because of its sweet and bitter taste). Your recipes inspire me 🙂
Jolina
Awesome! Thanks very much Klauss 🙂 That’s very kind. Hope you get to try this recipe out and enjoy it as much as we did!
Jennifer
Wow never thought of grapefruit in a tart but sounds really good. Will need to try this for a fun party soon.
Jolina
Hi Jennifer! I think the reason it’s not so common is because it’s not acidic enough so it won’t set properly. But really I’m just guessing haha. I love this tart regardless. Hope you do too! 🙂
Laura
Ooh yum this sounds (and looks!) delicious. Loved reading about what you learned with this recipe and how to get the tart juuuust right. Can’t wait for a slice of my own, especially with that toasted coconut and almond crust!
Jolina
Hi Laura! Thanks very much! And yes, when I’m baking Google is my friend 🙂 Grapefruit and coconut is really great together. Hope you get to try the recipe!