Zesty Orange Citrus Delight Bars Recipe: A Sweet Sunshine Treat

Zesty orange citrus delight bars bring sunshine to your dessert plate with their vibrant, tangy personality.

Sweet and bright flavors dance across your palate, promising a refreshing culinary experience.

These delectable treats blend traditional bakery techniques with modern flavor profiles that surprise and enchant.

Creamy textures contrast beautifully against crisp, buttery crusts, creating a harmonious balance of taste sensations.

Homemade desserts like these elevate ordinary moments into memorable celebrations of pure deliciousness.

Perfectly crafted for those who appreciate nuanced citrus notes and sophisticated sweet experiences, these bars change simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Each bite promises a delightful journey through layers of complex, mouth-watering goodness.

Why Orange Citrus Bars Brighten Any Day

• Burst with Zesty Citrus Flavor: These bars deliver a vibrant orange punch that dances on your taste buds, creating a refreshing and tangy dessert experience.
• Effortlessly Elegant Layered Texture: Each bite offers a perfect harmony of creamy cheesecake, silky orange cream, and crisp Nilla Wafer crust that melts delightfully in your mouth.
• Quick and No-Bake Convenience: Whip up this dessert without turning on the oven, making it ideal for busy home bakers who want a stunning treat with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Showstopper: Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or casual dessert nights, these bars will impress guests with their gorgeous layers and bright citrus profile.

Ingredients That Make Orange Citrus Bars Sing

• Nilla Wafers: Classic sweet cookies that form a delightful crispy base with rich buttery flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the cookie crumbs and creates a solid, compact crust foundation.

• Cream Cheese: Provides rich, tangy base for creamy texture and smooth consistency.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create smooth, silky cheesecake layer.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, classic undertone.
• Cool Whip: Adds lightness and creates airy, soft texture in the cheesecake layer.

• Orange Gelatin: Creates vibrant orange flavor and helps set the dessert's texture.
• Water (Boiling and Cold): Dissolves gelatin and helps create proper consistency.
• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy base for orange layer.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps stabilize the cream mixture.
• Orange Extract: Intensifies citrus flavor and adds bright, zesty note.
• Food Coloring: Optional ingredient to enhance orange color.
• Cool Whip: Adds volume and creates light, fluffy texture in orange layer.

Bake Orange Citrus Bars with This Simple Method

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan

Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing extra paper to hang over the edges for easy removal.

Step 2: Create the Nilla Wafer Crust

• Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl
• Place Nilla Wafers in a food processor
• Pulse wafers until they become fine crumbs
• Mix crumbs with melted butter
• Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan
• Freeze for 30 minutes to set the crust

Step 3: Prepare the Orange Gelatin Base

• Boil water
• Mix orange gelatin powder with boiling water
• Stir until completely dissolved
• Add cold water
• Refrigerate for 10 minutes (do not let it fully set)

Step 4: Craft the Orange Cream Layer

• Soften cream cheese at room temperature
• Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar
• Add orange extract
• Mix in food coloring
• Gradually incorporate chilled gelatin mixture
• Refrigerate for 1 hour until thickened

Step 5: Develop the Cheesecake Layer

• Beat cream cheese
• Add confectioners' sugar
• Mix in vanilla extract
• Fold in Cool Whip
• Spread evenly over the crust

Step 6: Combine and Finish the Layers

• Fold remaining Cool Whip into orange cream mixture
• Spread orange cream layer over cheesecake layer
• Refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours
• Cut into bars before serving

Serving Tip: For clean cuts, use a knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between slices.

Tips for Bright, Tangy Citrus Bar Goodness

• Crush Wafers Perfectly: Use a food processor for uniform, fine crumbs that create a smooth, compact crust without large chunks.
• Prevent Gelatin Clumping: Stir boiling water into gelatin thoroughly and consistently to ensure complete dissolution without lumps.
• Achieve Vibrant Color: Add orange food coloring gradually to control the intensity and create a consistent, appealing orange hue.
• Smooth Cream Layer Technique: Use room temperature cream cheese and beat until completely lump-free for a silky, creamy texture.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Allow bars to set overnight to develop deeper orange flavor and ensure layers hold their shape perfectly.

How to Store and Reheat Orange Citrus Bars

• Refrigeration: Store Orange Citrus Delight Bars covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep bars flat to maintain their beautiful layered structure.
• Freezing: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve texture and flavor.
• Serving Tip: Remove bars from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance the creamy, smooth texture. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water for clean, precise slices.

What to Enjoy with Orange Citrus Bars

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the orange citrus notes, cutting through the richness of the cheesecake layers.
• Serve with Fresh Berries: Raspberries or strawberries add a tart contrast to the sweet, creamy dessert, creating a balanced flavor profile.
• Match with Sparkling Water: A light, bubbly citrus-infused sparkling water enhances the orange extract's brightness and cleanses the palate between bites.
• Accompany with Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream provides a cool, smooth counterpoint to the tangy orange cream layers, elevating the dessert's overall experience.

Easy Ways to Tweak Orange Citrus Bars

• Sunny Citrus Blast: Swap orange gelatin with lemon or grapefruit gelatin for a tangy, vibrant flavor profile that brightens the dessert's overall taste.
• Tropical Paradise Bars: Replace orange extract with coconut extract and add shredded coconut to the cream layer for a vacation-inspired treat with exotic undertones.
• Berry Cheesecake Transformation: Mix fresh raspberries or strawberries into the cream cheese layer, creating a fruity swirl that adds natural color and intense berry sweetness.
• Spiced Zest Version: Incorporate ground cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg into the crust for a warm, aromatic undertone that complements the citrus notes wonderfully.

Orange Citrus Delight Bars Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Zesty Orange Citrus Delight Bars offer a tangy-sweet escape from ordinary desserts. Creamy orange-infused filling nestled on a buttery graham cracker crust promises a refreshing slice of Mediterranean sunshine you can savor in each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
• 8 ounces (226 grams) Cool Whip, divided
• 3 ounces (85 grams) orange gelatin
• 1 ⅓ cups (165 grams) Nilla Wafer Cookie Crumbs

Liquid Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons (75 milliliters) unsalted butter
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) boiling water
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) cold water
• 2 teaspoons orange extract
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Sweeteners and Coloring:

• ¼ cup (30 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 cup (120 grams) confectioners’ sugar
• 8 drops orange Wilton Gel Food Color (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the foundation by lining an 8×8-inch (20×20 centimeters) baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides.
2. Melt of unsalted butter and transform Nilla Wafers into fine, uniform crumbs using a food processor.
3. Combine the wafer crumbs with melted butter, mixing thoroughly until the texture resembles damp sand.
4. Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan, creating a compact base layer.
5. Transfer the crust to the freezer and allow it to set for 30 minutes, which will help solidify the foundation.
6. Dissolve orange gelatin powder completely in of boiling water, stirring until no granules remain.
7. Add of cold water to the gelatin mixture, then refrigerate for approximately 10 minutes without allowing it to fully set.
8. In a separate mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until smooth, then incorporate powdered sugar, orange extract, and a few drops of orange food coloring.
9. Gradually introduce the chilled gelatin mixture into the cream cheese blend, whisking continuously to ensure uniform incorporation.
10. Refrigerate the orange cream layer for one hour, allowing it to thicken and develop a stable consistency.
11. Create the cheesecake layer by beating cream cheese with confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract until achieving a creamy, lump-free texture.
12. Gently fold whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture, maintaining a light and airy consistency.
13. Spread the cheesecake layer evenly over the chilled Nilla Wafer crust, using a spatula to create a smooth surface.
14. Incorporate the remaining whipped topping into the orange cream mixture, folding until completely smooth and well-integrated.
15. Carefully spread the orange cream layer over the cheesecake layer, ensuring complete and even coverage.
16. Refrigerate the dessert overnight or for a minimum of 6 hours to allow complete setting and flavor melding.

Notes

• Prepare parchment paper carefully to ensure easy removal and clean slicing of dessert bars.
• Freeze the Nilla Wafer crust to create a firm, stable base that prevents crumbling when cutting.
• Allow gelatin to partially cool before mixing with cream cheese to prevent unwanted texture separation.
• Use food coloring sparingly to achieve a soft, natural orange hue without an artificial appearance.
• Refrigerate layers completely between additions to maintain distinct, clean layer definition.
• Chill overnight for optimal flavor melding and firm, sliceable texture that holds its shape perfectly.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 278 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 174 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg