Description
These Orange Bars are a delightful citrus treat featuring a buttery crust topped with a tangy, smooth orange-flavored filling. Perfect for any occasion, they combine a crisp base with a luscious, slightly jiggly orange custard topping, finished with a dusting of confectioners sugar for added sweetness and presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup cold butter
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easy.
- Make the crust: In a mixing bowl, cream together the cold butter and confectioners sugar until fluffy and well combined. Gradually add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and mix until the dough comes together. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, forming the crust.
- Bake the crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until it turns golden brown. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together the 4 eggs and granulated sugar until smooth and slightly frothy. Stir in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, freshly squeezed orange juice, and orange zest until fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the orange filling mixture evenly over the hot baked crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, dust the top with confectioners sugar to add a sweet finishing touch. Slice into bars and serve.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is cold for a flaky, tender crust.
- Room temperature eggs help create a smooth filling.
- Fresh orange juice and zest provide strong citrus flavor; bottled juice is not recommended.
- Do not overbake the filling; it should be set but slightly jiggly in the center for the best texture.
- Chill bars before slicing for cleaner cuts.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days.
