Cake-like orange creamsicle bars, flavored with orange zest, vanilla, and melted white chocolate, and swirled with vanilla cheesecake!
I have your Memorial Day picnic dessert! Actually, I have loads of options for what you can take to Memorial Day BBQs and picnics, but this is the one I’m currently most excited about since we just finished the pan.
Whatever you take, it has to be bright and fruity, doesn’t it? Memorial Day signifies that summer is around the corner, and when I think of summer, I’m all about fruity desserts. Even better if they’re no-bake. These Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars aren’t no-bake, sadly, but they’re still simple to prep and quick to cleanup. Consider these bars the last dessert you actually turn on your oven for until summer is over. It’ll be worth it because anything that is orange creamsicle-flavored is going to make you very popular.
Orange zest, a little orange extract for extra citrus oomph, melted white chocolate, and vanilla flavors together in cake-like bars with a swirled cheesecake topping. These are like creamsicle pops in a bar. More summery fun stuff.
I used to love those popsicles. It takes me back to summers as a kid when I rode my bike all over creation with my childhood best friend from down the street. Often the highlight of our day was scrounging up change to buy popsicles at 7-11. We’d ride our bikes to buy popsicles or ice cream at the convenient store, then we’d sit by the little lake in the neighborhood, happily eating them as they quickly melted.
Well, you really can’t easily take popsicles or ice cream to a picnic, so that’s why you put those flavors in a bar. Life = simplified.
Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
- 6 oz. white baking chocolate coarsely chopped
- 3/4 c. butter
- 1 3/4 c. sugar divided
- 4 large eggs
- zest of 1 orange
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract divided
- 3-4 drops orange food gel paste
- 1 1/2 c. flour + 1 tbsp. flour
- 1 - 8 oz. package reduced-fat cream cheese softened
- 1 large egg yolk
Instructions
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In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate and butter.
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Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring at 30-second intervals, until chocolate and butter are melted and smooth.
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Whisk in 1 1/2 c. sugar, eggs, orange zest, 1 tsp. vanilla, and food coloring, mixing until blended.
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Stir in the 1 1/2 c. flour.
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Spread batter into a greased 9x13-inch pan.
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In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining 1/4 c. sugar until smooth.
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Add egg yolk and remaining 1 tsp. vanilla extract, beating until smooth.
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Beat in remaining 1 tbsp. flour.
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Drop the cream cheese mixture by spoonful over the orange batter. Gently swirl with a knife or toothpick.
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Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, and edges are golden brown.
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Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into squares.
Adapted from Taste of Home – recipe not located online.
Ahhhh this sounds like the most amazing thing ever! I love cheesecake, and I love those orange creamsicle popsicles (are they popsicles? are they ice cream? who knows xD ). I’ll bet this is amazingly delicious – will for sure have to give it a go! 😀
Those sound yummy! Pinned.
Nothing says summer like dreamsicle!! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner link up!
Pretty bites and it looks so good.
Uh,, yes! These look SO delicious! I need to try them ASAP.
OMG these look so good! I am going to have to try them! Thank you
I would love for you to come participate in our Blog Hop. The Homesteader Hop every Wednesday, I do hope you will come out and join us.
Awesome – thanks! I’ll try to make it!
Finally a snack that is equal parts delicious and nutritious. I must try this!
Did you really just combine orange creamsicle with cheesecake? Genius! This sounds so delish and I’m pinning it so that I can make it sometime this summer! Thanks for sharing with us at Share The Wealth Sunday!
Definitely a delightful summer dessert!
Hi there
Just stopped by to let you know that I featured this on my Saturday Spotlight post this week!
Saturday Spotlight
Thanks again for linking up! Hope you have a great weekend!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
Awesome! Thanks so much!
These look delicious! Thanks for sharing!
These bars are wonderful! Thanks for linkin’ up with What’s Cooking Wednesday!
What a dreamy sounding bar. Thanks for sharing with us at Throwback Thursday. Pinned and shared! Can’t wait to see what you bring to the party this week.
I love these bars!! Thanks for sharing with us on Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Thanks so much for sharing at Saucy Saturdays! Orange Creamsicle is my mom’s favorite!