Description
Cool orange creamsicle bars deliver nostalgic summer sweetness with zesty citrus and creamy vanilla layers. Refreshing dessert squares blend classic flavors for a delightful treat you’ll crave on warm afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 blocks (8 ounces / 226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 cups (14–16 sheets / 168 grams) honey graham crackers, finely crushed
- 3 cups whipped topping
- 1½ cups (125 grams) confectioners’ sugar
Citrus Components:
- 1 medium orange, juiced (about ¼ cup juice)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ cup orange jello mix (from a 3 ounces / 85 grams box)
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Optional Garnish:
- Orange slice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring full coverage of the bottom and sides for easy removal.
- Create the crust by combining graham cracker crumbs with granulated sugar in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution.
- Pour melted butter into the crumb mixture, stirring thoroughly until the ingredients form a cohesive, slightly moistened texture.
- Compact the graham cracker mixture into a uniform layer at the bottom of the prepared pan, using firm, even pressure to create a solid base.
- Refrigerate the crust for 15-20 minutes to help it set and become more stable.
- Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese until it reaches a smooth, light consistency with no lumps.
- Incorporate sugar, freshly grated orange zest, and orange juice into the cream cheese, blending until the mixture becomes silky and uniform.
- Gently integrate whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture, folding carefully to maintain its airy texture.
- Spread half of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled graham cracker crust.
- Mix orange jello powder into the remaining cream cheese mixture, stirring until fully incorporated and creating a vibrant orange-hued layer.
- Carefully spread the orange-infused layer over the initial cream cheese layer.
- Top the dessert with the remaining whipped topping, creating a light, decorative final layer.
- Chill the bars in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and textures to set completely.
- Before serving, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper edges and slice into neat squares.
Notes
- Prep like a pro by lining your baking dish completely with parchment paper for easy cutting and clean removal.
- Crush graham crackers finely to create a smooth, compact crust that holds together perfectly when sliced.
- Zesting oranges releases intense citrus oils, adding bright, fresh flavor throughout the creamy dessert.
- Folding whipped topping gently prevents deflating, ensuring a light, airy texture in every delicious bite.
- Overnight chilling allows flavors to meld and develop, transforming good bars into extraordinary dessert magic.
- Use room temperature cream cheese to guarantee a silky-smooth filling without annoying lumps.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 227
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 36 mg