Dreamy Orange Creamsicle Bars
Orange creamsicle bars are nostalgic treats with orange zest, chewy texture and citrusy white chocolate ganache icing. No mixer needed!
I highly recommend using weight (metric) measurements when available for more accuracy and the best results.
Please note
When using 2x or 3x ingredients, the grams in parenthesis DO NOT adjust, you will have to manually do that.
Ingredients
orange blondies
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted (113g)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
- ½ cup confectioners' sugar (60g)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange juice (15mL)
- 2 tablespoons orange zest from 2 large oranges
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour (157g)
- white chocolate orange ganache
- 4 ounces white chocolate* chopped small (114g)
- 2 ounces whipping cream** (60g)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest from one large orange
Instructions
orange blondies
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium to large bowl, whisk together the melted butter (½ cup/113g), granulated sugar (½ cup/100g), confectioners' sugar (½ cup/60g) and kosher salt (¼ teaspoon) until well combined. The mixture will get thick and it should take about 1 minute.
- Then add the eggs (2 large) and vanilla (1 teaspoon). Scrape up and down the bowl as needed and whisk until combined, about 1 minute.
- Now add the orange juice (1 tablespoon/15mL) and orange zest (2 tablespoons/from 2 large oranges) and whisk until well combined.
- Next add the all-purpose flour (1 ¼ cup/157g) and mix until the batter fully comes together.
- Drop the batter (it’s thick) into the prepared baking pan and smooth to an even layer.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the edges have barely browned and a tester in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. It will be very light in color. For a gooey texture, bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool in the pan on a wire cooling rack.
white chocolate orange ganache
- Add the white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate (4 ounces/114g) to a glass or metal bowl and set aside. I've only tested this recipe with Ghirardelli white chocolate chips or a quality white chocolate baking bar.
- Heat the heavy cream (2 ounces/60g) in a small saucepan over low heat until it’s bubbling at the edges and is hot, but do not bring it to a boil. Pour the hot cream over the white chocolate and let it sit about two minutes before stirring it into a smooth ganache.*** Once most of the chocolate has melted into the ganache, add the orange zest (1 tablespoon) and continue stirring until smooth.
- Smooth the icing over the cooled blondies and allow to set.
- Then use the parchment to pull the bars out of the pan and cut into desired sizes.
Notes
Orange creamsicle bars will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Serve chilled or at room temperature. They also freeze well for up to three months; allow to defrost before serving.
I recommend a light colored metal baking pan. If baking in a glass pan, it’s recommended to lower the temperature by 25°F and the bake time will also increase.
*This recipe was tested with Ghirardelli white chocolate chips and Callebaut white chocolate. Please know white chocolate baking chips are NOT created equally! I suspect Guittard and Trader Joe's white chocolate chips would work as a fine substitute, but I haven't tested them. Chopped white chocolate baking bars can also be used.
**Use whipping cream or heavy cream with a minimum of 30% fat.
***If the white chocolate ganache does not become completely smooth, the cream was likely not hot enough. Place the bowl over a simmering pot of water, being careful to not get any water in the ganache and rewarm it, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth.
If you only have salted butter, eliminate the kosher salt.
If you only have table salt, start with half the amount of salt.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 barCalories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 53mgPotassium: 48mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 268IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
The nutrition information is based on third-party calculations, is an estimate only and may not be entirely accurate. Actual nutritional values will vary based on brands used and portion sizes.
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