Description
Summer’s craving for orange creamsicle bars leads to this refreshing dessert combining tangy citrus and creamy sweetness. Cool, zesty squares provide perfect relief during warm afternoons when you want something light and delightful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 blocks (8 oz / 226 g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 cups whipped topping
- 2 cups (14–16 sheets / 168 g) honey graham crackers, finely crushed
- 1½ cups (125 g) confectioners’ sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup orange jello mix (from a 3 oz / 85 g box)
- 1 medium orange, juiced (about ¼ cup juice)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp orange zest
- Orange slice (optional)
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Blend graham cracker crumbs with sugar, then fold in melted butter until mixture achieves a consistent sandy texture. Press firmly into parchment-lined 8×8-inch pan, ensuring uniform coverage. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to solidify.
- Cream Cheese Foundation: Whip cream cheese until velvety smooth, then incorporate sugar, orange zest, and orange juice. Blend until mixture transforms into a silky, luminous consistency.
- Layering Technique: Gently fold whipped topping into cream cheese mixture, maintaining its delicate airiness. Divide mixture into two portions, spreading first layer evenly across chilled crust.
- Orange Infusion: Introduce orange jello powder into remaining cream cheese mixture, stirring until vibrant orange color emerges. Carefully distribute this zesty layer atop initial cream cheese foundation.
- Finishing Touch: Crown dessert with remaining whipped topping, creating an elegant, cloud-like surface. Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour, preferably overnight, allowing flavors to harmonize and texture to set completely.
- Serving Presentation: Remove from refrigerator, lift from pan using parchment paper edges, and slice into precise, picturesque squares ready for indulgence.
Notes
- Prep Pan Perfectly: Line with parchment paper, ensuring complete bottom and side coverage for effortless bar removal and clean cutting.
- Crush Crumbs Carefully: Press graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly to create a compact, stable crust that won’t crumble when slicing.
- Whip Without Lumps: Beat cream cheese thoroughly to achieve a silky smooth texture, eliminating any potential grainy or chunky consistency.
- Chill for Success: Refrigerate bars for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to develop and layers to set completely for the best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg