Orange Creamsicle Cookie Bars
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Melt-in-your-mouth frosted orange creamsicle cookie cars are loaded with real vanilla beans and orange zest for incredibly delicious flavor.
I’m guest posting for Barb over at Creative Culinary today. She is busy spending her time helping her daughter fight breast cancer. I wish I could do more to help, or deliver some of these personally to her door, but writing a guest post is the best I can do besides praying like crazy.
Have you ever had orange creamsicles? Maybe it reminds you of when you were growing up and the ice cream truck patrolling your neighborhood, playing its incessant tune.
It’s such a dreamy flavor: orange and vanilla combined. My mom used to make orange Julius drinks when we were kids, with orange juice, vanilla ice cream, and ice. My sister and I loved them, especially with popcorn on TV movie night.
If you follow my site, you’ll know that orange creamsicle is one of my favorite flavors. Check out my healthier orange creamsicle popsicles, orange creamsicle popcorn, orange creamsicle magic shell for ice cream, or this yummy orange creamsicle buttercream frosting.
These orange creamsicle cookie bars are just pretty much the best! With real vanilla beans and vanilla paste, you get loads of vanilla flavor. Orange zest provides the citrus tang, and lots of butter in both the bars and frosting make these creamy and delicious. Freeze them for a real treat!
The orange sprinkles are optional but you have to admit, they are pretty!
Easy Cookie Bars
If you’re looking for easy delicious bar recipes, try one of these:
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- Seeds of one vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract)
For the frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- orange sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9×13 pan with parchment paper and spray with baking spray.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, cream together butter, salt, sugar, orange zest and vanilla beans. Add egg yolks and mix well. Add flour and mix until a dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until firm. Remove and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Meanwhile, combine all of the frosting ingredients in the bowl of a standing mixer and whip until fluffy.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie base and immediately sprinkle with sprinkles.
- Chill in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before slicing into bars and serving.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Verdict: Love these—I always eat way too many of them.
Husband’s take: He likes these too. I didn’t think he would, he’s more of the plain ol’ chocolate chip cookie kind of guy but he really does enjoy these.
Changes I would make: None are necessary.
Difficulty: Easy.
You can also find these bars (they are amazing!) on Creative Culinary and while you’re at it, give Barb and her family a little love.
Nutmeg Nanny says
LOVE creamsicles! I was the only one in my family who liked them so I always got to eat the whole box myself :)
brandi says
these look awesome! idea: orange creamsicle popcorn.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
This could be dangerous. I would absolutely devour these.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Mmm what a fabulous treat!
Carolyn says
Yummy! What a fun flavour for a cookie bar!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Amazing recipe, Rachel! These bars look beautiful and I love the flavor!
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
Saw these on instagram and OBVS had to come take a peek at them Rachel! Now I will go head to snag the recipe :) I love orange desserts. These are so pretty and put me in the mood for warmer weather! It’s too cold here right now!
sarah k @ the pajama chef says
definitely going to check these out. yum!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
Wow – these look beautiful! Heading over there now to check out the recipe. :)
carrian says
FYI- I grew up obsessed with orange creamsicles. I pinned these babies so fast this morning. Cannot wait to make them!!!!!
Rachel Gurk says
Hope you love them!
Laurie {SimplyScratch} says
Orange creamsicle?! OOOOOKAY! sign me up!
Jayne says
Wow, these look so good! Very happy to have found your blog, love what Ive seen so far!
Rachel Gurk says
Thank you so much, Jayne!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Oh wow, I hope her daughter is strong through such a hard time! Great looking cookie bars too.
Ashley - baker by nature says
These are brilliant, girl! Perfect for Summer picnics, too.