Sometimes you see the same flavor profiles over and over again. For good reason, of course. I mean, it's hard to beat chocolate and peanut butter. Or strawberries and lemon. For a fun new flavor twist, give this Ginger Grapefruit Tart a try!
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This Ginger Grapefruit Tart has a sweet pastry crust flavored with both grapefruit zest and ground ginger. The filling is a sweet-tart grapefruit curd, then the whole thing is topped with toasted honey meringue and crystallized ginger. It's a sweet-tart-spicy flavor bomb.
Using pastry flour ensures a very tender crust! If you can't find it in your local grocery store, you can find it online (link [here]). If you choose not to use pastry flour, you can use all-purpose flour, but the crust will not be as tender.
I used a 9" tart pan with removable bottom for this recipe. I prefer a pan that is lighter in color (as opposed to the darker, non-stick pans) because the crust browns more slowly. If you're looking to get a tart pan for yourself, you can buy one [here].
Pie weights help when blind-baking a crust, helping to keep the dough from rising/getting bubbles as it bakes. This makes sure that you have the room that you need for filling. You can buy actual pie weights if you'd like (like these [here]), but I just use black beans. They're cheap and you can use them over and over again.
I enjoy the flavor of vanilla bean paste and love the little black flecks that it leaves in baked goods. <3 If you'd like to get some vanilla bean paste for yourself, you can find some [here]. If you'd rather substitute, you can use an equal measure of vanilla extract.
I use a kitchen torch to toast my meringue. If you don't have a torch, you can put the tart under the broiler, just don't take your eyes off it for a second! I prefer the torch, since it gives more control over the toasting. My torch is old so I don't even know what kind it is, but this one (link [here]) has great reviews.
I think anyone who loves grapefruit will absolutely love this tart! I, myself, have never been a huge fan of grapefruit, and still really enjoy the mix of flavors and textures in this tart! <3
Other posts you may like:
Mini Lemon Meringue Pie Pound Cakes
Grapefruit curd adapted from Taste of Home (link here).
Ginger Grapefruit Tart
Ingredients
Sweet Pastry:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- pinch salt
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon grapefruit zest
- 1½ cups pastry flour (see note)
- 2 teaspoon ground ginger
Grapefruit Curd:
- 1⅓ cups sugar
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 2 cups grapefruit juice (from 4-5 grapefruit)
- ¾ cup water
- 3 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoon butter, diced and softened
Honey Meringue:
- 3 egg whites
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste (see note)
- pinch salt
Topping:
- crystallized ginger, finely chopped (if desired)
Instructions
For pastry:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine butter, sugar, and salt. Mix on low speed just until combined, then increase speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add egg and orange zest, mixing to incorporate. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- With the mixer on low speed, add the pastry flour and ground ginger. Mix just until the dough starts to come together.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times (the more you handle the dough, the less tender it will be!) until the dough is smooth. Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Spray 9" tart pan (see note) with nonstick spray. Set aside. Once the dough has chilled, place on a lightly floured surface and roll to about ⅛" thick and about 1" larger than the pan you are using.
- Roll dough up onto the rolling pin, position next to pan, and then unroll the pastry into the pan. Avoid stretching the dough, as it can cause it to shrink while baking. Trim the edges of the dough. Patch any tears or holes in the dough with the excess.
- Dock the dough with a fork and freeze 20 minutes. While the dough is chilling, preheat oven to 375° F.
- Remove crust from the freezer, line with foil or parchment paper, and fill with pie weights (see note). Bake crust 18 minutes, then remove the foil/parchment and pie weights. Return to the oven to bake an additional 8-10 minutes, or until golden. Allow crust to cool completely on a wire rack.
For Curd:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch, whisking to break up any lumps.
- Place the egg yolks in a medium heatproof bowl. Beat the yolks and set aside.
- Gradually add the grapefruit juice and water, whisking to ensure the mixture is smooth. Cook over medium-high heat until bubbly and thick, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and cook two minute longer, still stirring.
- Take about a cup of the hot grapefruit mixture and slowly drizzle into the beaten yolks, whisking constantly. This will temper the eggs so they don't scramble. Once combined, Pour the yolk mixture into the pan.
- Continuing to stir constantly, bring the curd to a gentle boil, then allow to cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, whisking until it is incorporated.
- Pour the curd into the baked and cooled crust. (If you're worried about lumps or see a stray bit of scrambled egg, you can strain the curd through a fine mesh strainer into the crust.)
- Chill the tart until the filling has set, at least four hours, but overnight is better.
For Meringue:
- In a large heatproof bowl, whisk all meringue ingredients. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, taking care that the water doesn't touch the bowl.
- Whisking constantly, warm the mixture to 160° F, about 8-10 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer and whip using the whisk attachment until it reaches medium-stiff peaks.
- Pipe or spoon the meringue on top of the chilled tart. Toast the meringue, if desired (see note). If desired, sprinkle chopped crystallized ginger over the top.Enjoy!
Salette Mimoso
I have to try this recipe. I love ginger and never remembered to put it in a citrus pie
Amee
The flavors complement each other so well! 😋 Thanks, Salette! I hope you love it!! 🧡
FOODe App
This sounds & looks like such a sweet & creative recipe! Adding it to the “must-try” list 📝
Amee
So good! Thanks so much!
Alexandra
How do I store this? How well will the torch merengue keep over a 24 hour or more period? I would like to bake this two days in advance but not sure if the merengue will stay in good shape
Amee
Hi, Alexandra! You can make curd a few days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can make the crust in advance as well. Store the crust well-wrapped on your counter for a day, or for longer in the freezer. I'd wait until the day you're planning to serve the tart to fill the crust, make the meringue, and torch it. The tart does keep for a few days in the refrigerator after you assemble it, but the crust starts to get soggy and the meringue may weep/separate from the curd. Hope this helps!