26 August 2014

It's Still Summer

Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies
You've probably heard that pumpkin spice lattes are already available at Starbucks, and maybe you even know someone who already got one, and maybe even that person suggested that the lattes signify the start of autumn. Well, folks, it's still summer, and I'm not yet ready for it to be autumn. Considering that the high is still over 75° most days, I am right. If you don't want to take my word for it, autumn doesn't officially begin until late-September here in the Northern Hemisphere. Although I've continued ordering (hot) lattes at Starbucks all throughout summer, those lattes were not seasonal flavors. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies
So, in defense of summer, I present you with these Pink Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies from Martha Stewart. The bright flavor is perfectly summer with a balance of sweet and tart. Although winter is the season for citrus fruits, citrus is a flavor I tend to associate with summer, such as pitchers of freshly squeezed lemonade and lime cookies with confectioners' sugar coating. This recipe have been on my radar for a while, actually, but procrastination is my number one hobby. Finally, I get to cross them off my list!

Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies
Both the cookie and the buttercream contain grapefruit juice and zest. While this makes the cookie flavorful, the juice might be the reason the dough came out softer than sugar cookie dough should be, making rolling and cutting circles difficult. Despite baking the dough straight from the freezer, the cookies didn't hold shape in the oven. It also browned a little more than I would have liked, and I suspect that has to do with the oven temperature not being accurate.

What would I do to remedy the soft dough? I might add more flour next time, or decrease the egg yolks from two to one. I don't want to reduce the grapefruit juice since that's what gives the cookie its flavor.

Pro tip: Wax paper is useless for rolling out sticky cookie dough.
Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies
Mmm, buttercream! The fresh grapefruit juice really helps cut the cloying sweetness of the confectioners' sugar-based buttercream. Tinting it pink is optional.

The texture of the cookies improves the longer its stored, going from crunchy to soft. Then again, maybe they're supposed to be crunchy. Not entirely sure, but either way, the cookies are delicious.

Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies
I don't mean to sound Grinchy about the upcoming season. I'm looking forward to some things pumpkin, crunchy leaves in orange, red, and brown colors, crisp, cool temperatures, and apple cider. But since I don't work in advertising, I'm not going to rush it. When the time comes, I will have my celebratory pumpkin latte... If Starbucks hasn't already run out of syrup by then.

Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies
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9 comments

  1. oh yum! i think of lemons & limes as summer fruits, and oranges & grapefruits as winter fruits. funny, huh? these cookies look great regardless. i'm anxiously awaiting sept 1 which is the start of my "pumpkin season" so i'm with you--it's still summer!

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    1. Yes, now that I think about it, I've always considered grapefruits to be a taste of summer during wintertime. Oh well.

      I can get more on board with Sept. 1st as the official start of pumpkin season!

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  2. Wow these look fabulous. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. The cookies look lovely. I would like to eat a couple right now. I've tried a few Martha recipes and they never turned out. It's been a few years since I tried one though. I should give them another shot.

    It's kind of crazy to see all of these pumpkin recipes. I guess I'm jumping on the bandwagon too.

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    Replies
    1. Martha can be hit or miss, but thankfully most of her recipes I've tried turn out well. I'm more inclined to blame myself for errors, so I never really know who is to blame. I can definitely recommend her chocolate ginger cookies!

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~Christina

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