Zesty Orange Citrus Delight Bars Recipe: Bright Flavor in Every Bite

Sweet, tangy, and irresistibly zesty, these orange citrus delight bars burst with tropical sunshine in every bite.

Nestled between a buttery graham cracker crust and a silky smooth topping, the bright orange flavor dances across your palate.

Vibrant citrus notes weave through this dessert like liquid gold, promising a refreshing escape from ordinary sweets.

Each bar delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that tingles your taste buds.

The recipe captures the essence of sunny orchards with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Creamy and light, these bars will become your new go-to dessert for summer gatherings or a quick afternoon treat.

Grab your apron and get ready to wow everyone with this delightful citrus sensation.

Serving These Bright Bars

• Brunch Brilliant Pairing: Serve these zesty bars alongside a fresh citrus salad or light quiche for a vibrant morning gathering that delights guests.
• Dessert Decorating Delight: Garnish with thin orange slices, whipped cream swirls, or sprinkle crushed Nilla Wafers on top to elevate the visual appeal and add texture.
• Summer Party Showstopper: Cut into small squares for easy finger food at poolside parties, beach picnics, or backyard barbecues where refreshing treats are welcome.
• Afternoon Tea Treat: Plate these bars on elegant dessert dishes with a mint leaf accent, perfect for sophisticated tea time or casual afternoon social gatherings.

Storage Tips for Citrus Bars That Stay Zingy

• Refrigerate Right: Store the Orange Citrus Delight Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep the bars covered to maintain their fresh texture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Freeze for Future: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These bars can be frozen for up to 3 months, providing a make-ahead dessert option for busy weeks.
• Thaw with Care: Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving. This gentle thawing process helps maintain the creamy texture and prevents condensation.
• Serving Suggestion: Always serve chilled for the best taste and texture. Remove the bars from the refrigerator just before serving to keep them firm and refreshing.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 166 kcal

Servings: 13

Orange Citrus Bars: Ingredient

• Nilla Wafers: Crunchy base that provides a sweet, buttery foundation with delightful texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Binds wafer crumbs together, creating a compact and rich base layer.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers luxurious, tangy smoothness and structural integrity to the dessert.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps create silky, smooth consistency in cream layers.
• Cool Whip: Adds light, airy volume and creates a cloud-like texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, comforting undertones.

• Orange Gelatin: Provides vibrant citrus flavor and helps set the dessert's structure.
• Orange Extract: Intensifies natural orange essence with bright, zesty notes.
• Food Coloring: Optional tool to create visually appealing orange-tinted layers.
• Cold Water: Helps dissolve and stabilize gelatin mixture.
• Boiling Water: Activates and completely dissolves gelatin powder.

Zest Tools That Help with Citrus Bar Prep

• Food Processor: Perfect for grinding Nilla Wafers into fine, uniform crumbs.
• 8×8-inch Baking Pan: Essential for creating the layered dessert with clean, even edges.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and clean cutting of the bars.
• Mixing Bowls: Needed for preparing different layers and mixing ingredients.
• Electric Mixer: Helps beat cream cheese and blend ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Critical for precise ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Great for spreading layers evenly and folding mixtures.
• Refrigerator: Necessary for chilling and setting each layer.

Bake Your Orange Citrus Bars the Right Way

• Nilla Wafer Foundation

Grab your baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Crush those crispy wafers into dusty crumbs using a food processor. Melt some butter and mix it with the crumbs, pressing the mixture firmly into the pan. Pop it in the freezer to set for half an hour.

• Zesty Orange Gelatin Magic

Dissolve the orange gelatin in steaming hot water, then add a splash of cold water. Let it chill in the refrigerator for a quick 10-minute cooldown.

• Creamy Orange Dream

Whip the cream cheese with powdered sugar and a burst of orange extract. Splash in some vibrant food coloring for a sunny look. Gently blend in the cooled gelatin mixture and let it hang out in the fridge to get nice and thick.

• Dreamy Cheesecake Base

Blend cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until silky smooth. Fold in some fluffy whipped topping and spread it evenly over the wafer crust.

• Final Flourish

Swirl the remaining whipped topping into the orange cream mixture until it’s perfectly blended. Spread this sunny layer over the cheesecake base. Tuck the whole creation into the refrigerator and let it rest overnight or for at least 6 hours.

Ways to Intensify That Sweet-Tart Punch

• Creative Twists and Pro Tips
• Replace orange extract with lemon, lime, or grapefruit extract for a zesty flavor adventure that transforms the entire dessert profile.
• Experiment with graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or almond cookies instead of Nilla Wafers to add unique texture and depth to the crunchy base.
• Garnish with fresh orange zest, candied orange peel, or delicate whipped cream swirls to elevate the visual appeal and add extra citrusy brightness.
• Prepare bars up to 3 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for a more robust taste experience.

Tangy Orange Citrus Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon bars with a refreshing orange citrus delight bring Mediterranean sunshine to classic dessert tables. Creamy filling and buttery crust combine for a tangy treat that delights palates and promises sweet memories you’ll savor completely.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ⅓ cups (165 g) Nilla Wafer Cookie Crumbs
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, room temperature
• 8 oz (226 g) Cool Whip, divided
• 3 oz (85 g) orange gelatin
• 5 tbsps (75 mL) unsalted butter
• ¾ cup (180 mL) boiling water
• ¾ cup (180 mL) cold water
• 2 tsps orange extract
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
• 1 cup (120 g) confectioners’ sugar
• 8 drops orange Wilton Gel Food Color (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pan Preparation: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, covering bottom and sides completely to facilitate easy removal.
2. Crust Formation: Pulverize Nilla Wafers into fine crumbs, then blend with melted butter until mixture resembles moist sand. Press firmly and evenly into pan, creating a compact foundation. Freeze for 30 minutes to solidify.
3. Gelatin Preparation: Dissolve orange gelatin powder in boiling water, stirring until completely integrated. Mix in cold water, then refrigerate for 10 minutes without allowing full solidification.
4. Cream Cheese Layer: Whip cream cheese until silky smooth, blending powdered sugar, orange extract, and food coloring. Gradually incorporate chilled gelatin, whisking continuously to ensure uniform consistency.
5. Cheesecake Integration: Beat cream cheese with confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract until creamy. Fold in whipped topping, maintaining a light texture. Spread evenly over chilled crust.
6. Orange Cream Finalization: Merge remaining whipped topping with orange cream mixture, creating a smooth, well-integrated layer. Spread carefully over cheesecake layer, ensuring complete coverage.
7. Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate overnight or minimum 6 hours, allowing flavors to meld and dessert to set completely before serving.

Notes

• Crust Consistency Check: Press crumb mixture firmly to prevent crumbling; compact base ensures clean, stable slices.
• Gelatin Precision: Dissolve completely in boiling water and stir thoroughly to avoid lumpy texture in orange layer.
• Chilling Strategy: Allow each layer to set properly in refrigerator; overnight setting develops deeper, richer flavor profile.
• Temperature Control: Keep ingredients cool during mixing to maintain smooth, creamy texture and prevent separation of cream cheese mixture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 166
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 156 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg