If you’re in the mood for something sweet and citrusy, you can’t go wrong with orange bars. The combination of a buttery shortbread crust infused with the brightness of orange zest, a tangy orange layer, and dark chocolate curls on top is absolutely irresistible. It’s a match made in heaven that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. If you’re a fan of lemon bars, you might find that these orange bars offer a similar zesty and sweet flavor profile, with the added bonus of rich chocolate contrast. For even more snacking options, you could try whipping up some cherry oat bars, classic lemon bars, or jam and buttercream sandwich cookies. And for those looking for gluten-free treats, you can also consider making some gluten-free lemon bars.
Why You’ll Love It
Indulge in the simplicity and delight of these scrumptious orange bars. The crust bakes effortlessly without the filling, then again with it, while the chocolate curls are a breeze to create. Flavoursome and true to their citrus heritage, these treats shine as a spring or summer indulgence, yet they’re equally satisfying at any time of year. Their versatility is matched only by your imagination – enjoy them alongside brunch, as a sweet treat after dinner, or paired with a mid-morning or afternoon coffee for the perfect pick-me-up.
How to Make Orange Bars
To bring your tart to life, start by creating the crust. Begin by grating some orange zest using a microplane, then combine it with flour, all-purpose flour, and cold butter in a mixing bowl. Work the mixture into a dough, taking care not to overmix. Next, press the dough into a parchment-lined baking dish and bake at 350°F for approximately half an hour or until the crust reaches a light golden brown. Meanwhile, prepare the orange curd by whisking together orange juice, eggs, sugar, flour, cornstarch, and grated orange zest in a saucepan over low heat. Continue whisking for about a minute, or until the mixture thickens to your liking. Remove from heat and stir in softened butter. Once the crust has cooled slightly, pour the orange curd into the baking dish and return it to the oven for an additional 30 minutes, or until the filling is set. Allow the tart to cool to room temperature before refrigerating for at least an hour to ensure it’s chilled through. Finally, cut the tart into bars and top each one with shaved chocolate curls for a touch of elegance.
Substitutions and Variations
To cater to dietary preferences, you can easily modify the recipe by swapping out traditional wheat flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour alternative. For those looking to mix things up, consider substituting the orange with lemon, lime or even grapefruit to create a unique citrus flavor profile. If you want to introduce an additional layer of complexity, try incorporating a teaspoon of vanilla extract into the crust instead of the orange zest for a distinct twist.
How to Store Orange Bars
When it comes to storing orange dream bars, you’ll want to keep them at room temperature. For short-term storage, they can be safely left out for a day if wrapped well, thanks to their acidic citrus content. However, for longer periods or to ensure their freshness, it’s best to refrigerate them. In terms of freezing, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap, either using two layers or combining one layer of plastic wrap with a layer of foil. When you’re ready to thaw them, you can do so overnight in the refrigerator or speed up the process by placing them on your countertop. Ultimately, these bars will keep for several days when stored properly.
Top Tips
To achieve precise squares with your orange bars, consider leveraging the overlapping edges of parchment paper to measure and mark 3-inch squares. Alternatively, you can opt for rectangles or free-form squares. When it comes to cooking time, be mindful that ovens can vary significantly. If your bars aren’t cooked through, simply pop them back in the oven for a few additional minutes and check again until they’re fully set, with no jiggling in the center. To extract as much juice as possible from each orange, you can either roll them firmly on the countertop, applying gentle pressure, or give them a quick 10-second microwave treatment.
Orange Bars Recipe FAQs
While it’s technically possible to make orange bars with bottled orange juice, using fresh oranges will yield a much better result due to the distinct flavor they bring. It’s worth the extra effort to ensure your orange bars turn out wonderful. You don’t necessarily need any specialized equipment, such as a food processor, to make these – an electric mixer or even just some elbow grease can help with the crust preparation. To determine if the orange bars are fully cooked, simply check that the crust is golden brown and the filling no longer jiggles in the center. Making the chocolate curls for garnish is surprisingly easy: simply let a chocolate bar come to room temperature (around 80°F) and use a vegetable peeler to grate it on the side. If the chocolate is too cold, the curls will break; if it’s just right, they should come out perfectly. For added convenience in grating ingredients finely, consider investing in a microplane – a long, thin grater ideal for tasks like citrus zest or ground fresh nutmeg.
Orange Squares Recipe
Orange Bars
For fans of the classic lemon bar, a delightful twist awaits in the form of orange bars. These zesty and sweet treats are elevated by the rich contrast of dark chocolate. With preparation taking just 20 minutes, followed by an hour and 5 minutes of cooking time, and an additional hour of chilling, you’ll be rewarded with 9 succulent bars that are sure to satisfy.
Instructions
To begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some excess around the edges for easy removal. Now, let’s move on to preparing the crust. Using a microplane grater, finely grate two tablespoons of orange zest. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, white sugar, powdered sugar, and one tablespoon of orange zest. Next, grate the cold butter into the dry ingredients using a cheese grater. Use your hands to mix everything together until it forms a crumbly dough. Press this dough into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until it turns pale golden brown. Meanwhile, let’s prepare the curd while the crust is baking. To do this, juice your oranges to obtain one cup of juice. In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the orange juice, eggs, sugar, cornstarch, flour, and orange zest. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 30 seconds to a minute, or until it thickens. Remove the pan from the heat and strain the curd into a mixing bowl. Whisk in some softened butter until well combined. Once your crust is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the orange curd over the top. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for another 30 minutes, or until the curd has set and no depression remains when touched. Let the bars cool to room temperature before refrigerating them until they’re chilled through, which should take at least an hour. Finally, cut your bars into desired portions and garnish with shaved chocolate if you like.
Notes
To achieve perfectly square bars with your orange slices, use the overlapping edges of parchment paper to measure and mark 3-inch squares. For added creativity, feel free to cut rectangles or go freestyle. When it comes to cooking time, be aware that ovens can vary significantly. If you find your bars aren’t fully cooked, simply return them to the oven for an additional few minutes and check again until they’re done, marked by a lack of jiggling in the center. To extract as much juice from each orange as possible, try rolling them firmly on the countertop or giving them a quick 10-second blast in the microwave.