Orange Dreamsicle Bars
Indulge in these irresistible Orange Dreamsicle Bars featuring a buttery crust, zesty orange filling, and creamy dreamsicle topping. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or a sweet treat at home!
Easy Orange Dreamsicle Bars with Layers of Flavor
These Orange Dreamsicle Bars are a delightful blend of zesty orange flavor and creamy cheesecake goodness. Perfect for spring gatherings, summer BBQs, or anytime you crave a refreshing dessert, these bars are sure to impress!
These bars are an irresistible treat with a buttery crust, vibrant orange filling, and a rich dreamsicle layer. Whether you’re hosting a party or want something special for dessert, this recipe is a must-try. The bright citrus flavor paired with the creamy topping makes every bite pure bliss.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
- Packed with refreshing citrus flavor.
- Perfect make-ahead dessert for parties and potlucks.
- Combines creamy cheesecake with zesty orange for a dreamy texture.
For more dessert bars, try my popular churro cheesecake bars.
Ingredients You Will Need
NOTE: Full ingredient amounts and instructions are in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
For the Crust:
- Unsalted butter– softened
- All-purpose flour
- White granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Salt
For the Orange Filling:
- Eggs
- Fresh orange juice
- Orange
- Orange extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- White granulated sugar
For the Dreamsicle Filling:
- Orange juice
- unflavored gelatin
- Cream cheese– softened
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Sour cream
- Orange zest
- Vanilla extract
Garnish:
- Extra orange zest
Substitutions & Variations
- Add a hint of lemon zest for a citrus twist.
- Sprinkle shredded coconut on top for added texture.
- Swap orange extract with almond extract for a nutty undertone.
Step-by-Step Instructions
STEP ONE – Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
STEP TWO – Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine flour, sugars, and salt. Cube the softened butter and mix until crumbly. Press the mixture firmly into the prepared baking dish to form an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, then cool for 10 minutes.
STEP THREE – Prepare the Orange Filling: In a large bowl, whisk eggs and fresh orange juice. Add orange extract, zest, flour, and baking powder; whisk again. Slowly add the sugar and whisk until combined. Pour the mixture over the cooled crust and bake for 60 minutes. Bars should be slightly jiggly but not wet. Cool for 15 minutes at room temperature, then chill in the fridge.
STEP FOUR – Make the Dreamsicle Layer: Heat the orange juice in a saucepan until steaming. Remove from heat, add gelatin, and stir until dissolved. Set aside.
STEP FIVE – In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add condensed milk and sour cream; mix well. Stir in vanilla and orange zest. Fold in the gelatin mixture until smooth.
STEP SIX – Pour the dreamsicle mixture over the cooled orange layer. Garnish with orange zest, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 6 hours or overnight.
STEP SEVEN – Slice into 12 bars and serve!
Tips for Success
- Use fresh orange juice for the best flavor.
- Ensure your cream cheese is softened for a smoother cheesecake layer.
- For even slices, wipe your knife clean between cuts.
What to Serve With Orange Dreamsicle Bars
These Orange Dreamsicle Bars are delicious with a cup of hot coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They’re also perfect for pairing with fresh fruit salads or citrus-infused cocktails.
Storing and Freezing
Store your Orange Dreamsicle Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Frequent Questions
Can I use bottled orange juice instead of fresh? Fresh orange juice provides the best flavor, but bottled juice can be a suitable substitute.
Can I make these bars ahead of time? Absolutely! These bars need ample chill time, making them a perfect make-ahead dessert.
How do I know when the orange filling is done baking? The filling should be slightly jiggly but not wet. It will firm up further as it cools.
There’s something magical about biting into these Orange Dreamsicle Bars. The combination of the buttery crust, vibrant citrus filling, and creamy dreamsicle topping creates a refreshing and indulgent dessert.
Whether you’re serving them at a summer gathering, holiday party, or simply treating yourself, these bars are sure to impress. Don’t forget to add a sprinkle of fresh orange zest for that perfect finishing touch!
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also, don’t forget to follow Lovely Munchies on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
Orange Dreamsicle Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Orange Filling
- 8 eggs
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 ½ teaspoon orange extract
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 cups white granulated sugar
Dreamsicle Filling
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
- 12 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Garnish:
- Orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, make the orange bar crust first by adding the flour, sugars, and salt together. Whisk together until combined.
- Cube the softened butter and add to the dry ingredients. Use a fork to blend together until you get a crumble dough. Then use clean hands to press this mixture together further until everything begins to clump together.
- Transfer this to the prepared baking dish. Press into the bottom pan, spreading to create an even sugar cookie crust layer.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. When done, let cool for 10 minutes before adding the orange layer.
- While the crust is baking, in a large mixing bowl add the eggs and fresh orange juice. Whisk together until thoroughly combined.
- Then add the orange extract, zest, flour, and baking powder. Whisk together again until incorporated.
- Lastly, pour in the white sugar and slowly whisk until the mixture is combined.
- Once the crust has cooled, pour this orange bars mixture on top. Bake in the oven for another 60 minutes. The bars should be slightly jiggly when removing from the oven, but make sure the center is not completely wet. It will continue to set once cooled.
- Let the bars cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then place in the refrigerator to continue cooling while mixing the dreamsicle layer of these bars.
- In a saucepan, heat the orange juice for the dreamsicle mixture until steaming. Take off the heat and add the gelatin, letting sit for a couple minutes to thicken. Place back over the heat and stir until the two ingredients melt together. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the sweetened condensed milk and sour cream, blending again until thoroughly combined.
- Pour in the vanilla extract and grate in the orange zest then fold together.
- Take the set aside gelatin mixture and pour into the bowl, folding together once more until combined and no streaks of orange juice are seen.
- Remove the cooled orange bars from the fridge and pour this creamsicle mixture on top, spreading evenly. Garnish with some extra orange zest and cover with plastic wrap.
- Chill in the fridge for 6 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, cut into 12 even pieces and enjoy!
