Home · Recipes · Spring + Summer Grapefruit Strawberry Gooey Butter Bars Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: Apr 12, 2016Updated: May 1, 2024 View Recipe7 ReviewsThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy. Shortbread cookie bottom topped with a buttery, melt in your mouth cake filling, these grapefruit strawberry gooey butter bars will become a party favorite! Table of Contents Butter Cake BarsIngredientsMore Fruit RecipesMore Bar Cookie RecipesGrapefruit Strawberry Gooey Butter BarsView moreView less Disclosure: This post was originally created in partnership with BHG’s Delish Dish Blog series. Butter Cake Bars There are brownies, blondies, and cookie bars. And then, there are butter bars! BHG introduced me to the wonderful-ness of gooey butter this year. It’s a long time popular staple in St. Louis. However, this Southern California native is just learning about them now! There are many variations this this sweet, rich dessert. Essentially, these bars are comprised of two layers: a shortbread crust topped with soft cake filling. Combined together, these two layers create a unique, decadent, melt in your mouth treat. Many shortcut versions use store-bought boxed yellow cake mix. Take the extra effort make the cake layer from scratch! Ingredients These gooey butter bars are made with kitchen staple ingredients: butter, flour, sugar, and eggs. The one ingredient that may be controversial is the use of light corn syrup in the cake batter filling. Corn syrup has developed an unfair, bad reputation over the years. Light corn syrup is not the same product as high-fructose corn syrup (or known as glucose-fructose in Canada). Light corn syrup is commonly used is frostings, ice cream, and frozen desserts to prevent sugar crystallization. It is often using in baked goods to prevent browning and add sweetness. Fresh Fruit Options These gooey butter bars are very rich and very sweet. To lighten up this intense dessert, top the cake with a fresh fruit! I used a combination of grapefruit segments and sliced strawberries. The fruits are marinated in a syrup of honey and grated ginger. It’s a perfect balance of sweetness and zing. You’ll have to drain the fruits before topping the cake, but be sure to keep that liquid. You can add a small drizzle to the cake before serving, or use it to sweetened iced teas! This cake works with a variety of fruits. Here are some great options: sliced peaches, figs, nectarines, and mixed berries. More Fruit Recipes Triple Citrus Shortbread Bars 8 Reviews Almond Honey Cake with Citrus 8 Reviews Sparkling Ginger Citrusade (Non-Alcoholic) 9 Reviews More Bar Cookie Recipes Almond Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Peanut Marshmallow Bars Butter Pecan Blondies Peanut Caramel Brownies Grapefruit Strawberry Gooey Butter Bars No ratings yet Shortbread cookie bottom topped with a buttery, melt in your mouth cake filling, these grapefruit strawberry gooey butter bars will become a party favorite!Yield: 13×9-inch pan Prep Time: 15 minutes minutesCook Time: 30 minutes minutesTotal Time: 45 minutes minutes Servings: 12 Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe IngredientsShortbread Crust:▢ 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour▢ ¼ cup granulated sugar▢ ½ cup unsalted butter, coldCake Filling:▢ ⅔ cup unsalted butter, softened▢ 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar▢ ¼ cup light corn syrup▢ 1 large egg▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract▢ 1 cup all-purpose flour▢ ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt▢ ⅔ cup whole milkFruit Topping:▢ 1 ½ cup sliced fresh strawberries▢ 1 ½ cup grapefruit segments▢ 2 Tablespoon honey▢ 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 13×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.Crust: Whisk together flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender (or two forks), cut butter into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse crumbly sand. Transfer into prepared pan and press into an even layer. Set aside.Filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using an electric hand mixer), beat butter and sugar until smooth. Scrape sides of bowl as needed. Add corn syrup, egg, and vanilla extract. Continue to mix until well combined.Add flour in three additions, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined. Transfer batter into prepared pan over crust.Bake for 28-30 minutes until the center of the cake no longer jiggles. Cool to room temperature in pan. Cake will harden as it cools. Remove from pan and slice into bars.Topping: In a small bowl, toss together strawberries, grapefruit, honey, and ginger. Garnish tops of cooled butter bars with fruit. NutritionCalories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 929IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg Author: Maryanne Cabrera Course: DessertCuisine: American Did you make this recipe?Show us on Instagram! Tag @littleepicurean and hashtag #littleepicurean.
heather (delicious not gorgeous) says: April 12, 2016 i love gooey butter bars, but sometimes they’re a bit rich. love the idea of strawberry and grapefruit to freshen things up! Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: April 13, 2016 Totally! Gooey butter bars are super rich. I can only handle a tiny piece at a time!
Sara says: April 12, 2016 Oh gosh! I love the idea of saving the syrup for tea or to drizzle over the cake. I’m a big ginger fan too and I can’t wait to try this! Reply
Maryanne Cabrera says: April 13, 2016 Thanks Sara! I’ve been craving a lot of ginger…so I’m thinking of making a ginger cake! :)
Beverley @ Born to Sweat says: April 14, 2016 Omgosh these look amazing!! what a great name for them too haha. i love the addition of strawberries and grapefruit to keep them light and refreshing Reply
Thalia @ butter and brioche says: April 14, 2016 These bars look amazing! Loving the tart grapefruit flavour especially, I bet it is such a perfect flavour match with the buttery shortbread. Reply
Anne says: April 15, 2016 Butter bars ?! Heck , yeah lol Can’t resist buttery treats and those gorgeous bars with equally delightful and refreshing fruit topping are a sure winner ! Reply