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Home Recipes by Type Desserts Cookies & Bars

Orange Creamsicle Cookie Bars

5
/5
1 hour hr 29 minutes mins
16 Comments
Jump to Recipe
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 04/22/2013Updated: 06/30/2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Melt-in-your-mouth frosted orange creamsicle cookie cars are loaded with real vanilla beans and orange zest for incredibly delicious flavor.


Overhead view of 5 orange creamsicle cookie bars, on black background, with text overlay that reads "Orange Creamsicle Cookie Bars, RachelCooks.com."

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. 

About these orange creamsicle cookie bars

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!

Closeup of cookie bar square, with 3 others in background.

Easy Cookie Bars

If you’re looking for easy delicious bar recipes, try one of these:

 

  • Vanilla Bean Cookie Bars
  • Oreo Cookie Bars
  • Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
  • Blondies
  • The Best Rice Krispie Treats
  • Oh Henry Bars

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Closeup of cookie bar square, with 3 others in background.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Orange Creamsicle Cookie Bars

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 14 minutes mins
Additional Time: 1 hour hr
Total Time: 1 hour hr 29 minutes mins
20 bars
Print Rate Recipe
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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.

Ingredients

For the cookie bars

  • 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

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 277kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 55mg, Sodium: 59mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 24g

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.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
Did You Make This?Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I love seeing what you made!
Share A Photo! Tag on Insta Rate It

 

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.

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  1. Nutmeg Nanny says

    May 6, 2013 at 11:49 pm

    LOVE creamsicles! I was the only one in my family who liked them so I always got to eat the whole box myself :)

    Reply
  2. brandi says

    April 26, 2013 at 10:09 am

    these look awesome! idea: orange creamsicle popcorn.

    Reply
  3. Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says

    April 24, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    This could be dangerous. I would absolutely devour these.

    Reply
  4. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    April 23, 2013 at 11:39 am

    Mmm what a fabulous treat!

    Reply
  5. Carolyn says

    April 23, 2013 at 6:14 am

    Yummy! What a fun flavour for a cookie bar!

    Reply
  6. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says

    April 22, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    Amazing recipe, Rachel! These bars look beautiful and I love the flavor!

    Reply
  7. sally @ sallys baking addiction says

    April 22, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    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!

    Reply
  8. sarah k @ the pajama chef says

    April 22, 2013 at 11:55 am

    definitely going to check these out. yum!

    Reply
  9. Ali | Gimme Some Oven says

    April 22, 2013 at 9:53 am

    Wow – these look beautiful! Heading over there now to check out the recipe. :)

    Reply
  10. carrian says

    April 22, 2013 at 9:53 am

    FYI- I grew up obsessed with orange creamsicles. I pinned these babies so fast this morning. Cannot wait to make them!!!!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 22, 2013 at 1:57 pm

      Hope you love them!

      Reply
  11. Laurie {SimplyScratch} says

    April 22, 2013 at 9:49 am

    Orange creamsicle?! OOOOOKAY! sign me up!

    Reply
  12. Jayne says

    April 22, 2013 at 9:24 am

    Wow, these look so good! Very happy to have found your blog, love what Ive seen so far!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 22, 2013 at 9:25 am

      Thank you so much, Jayne!

      Reply
  13. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

    April 22, 2013 at 9:04 am

    Oh wow, I hope her daughter is strong through such a hard time! Great looking cookie bars too.

    Reply
  14. Ashley - baker by nature says

    April 22, 2013 at 7:28 am

    These are brilliant, girl! Perfect for Summer picnics, too.

    Reply

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