I have never been a very big fan of lemons, so lemon bars have never really been tempting to me. But then, I found this recipe for Orange Brownies and knew I would be a fan! I love the orange flavor in both the bars and the glaze on top – it is so yummy!
The texture of a lemon bar is a thick gooey lemon curd on a crust, but these glazed orange bars are sort of like a cross between that and a brownie, except flavored orange instead! I love how unique these dessert bars are – I’d never had anything like this before I made this recipe!
How to zest an orange
For a long time, I was intimidated about how to zest an orange…I had no clue what that even meant! It is super easy – all you have to do is use a micro grater and grate off the outermost layer of orange.
I had a fairly large orange and was able to get just enough zest for this recipe (2 teaspoons). Just make sure you are only getting the bright orange part and not the white stuff underneath.
How do I zest an orange without a zester?
If you don’t have a zester already, you can often find that your cheese grater has a small section for zesting. You can use this or you can DIY if that still isn’t an option for you.
To DIY this, take an orange and a vegetable peeler. Peel off the outermost layer of the orange and get a long strip of peel. Lay it flat on a cutting board and mince it up as good as possible with a sharp knife. You want to avoid most of the white pithy layer because it’s bitter, but it won’t hurt to have a little in this dish, so don’t stress too hard about it.
Can orange bars be made a day ahead?
Yes, in fact, it may even taste better with the slight chill from the fridge added to the bars! After making the bars, let them cool to room temp and then cover and chill in the fridge overnight. Slice and serve when you’re ready.
Ingredients in Glazed Orange Brownies
-2 cups of sugar
-1 1/2 cups flour
-1 tsp. salt
-1 cup butter, softened
-4 large eggs
-2 tsp. orange extract
-2 tsp. orange zest, divided
-1 cup powdered sugar
-2 Tbsp. orange juice
How to make glazed orange bars
Spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. This time I actually used parchment paper instead, but either way will work.
In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, and salt.
Add in the butter, eggs, orange extract and 1 teaspoon of the orange zest.
Beat at medium speed with an electric hand mixer until it’s well blended and then spread the batter into prepared pan.
Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. The bars should be golden brown and set in the center. Immediately after taking them out of the oven, pierce the bars several times with a fork to help them to avoid sinking.
In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, orange juice and remaining teaspoon of orange zest.
Stir until smooth and then pour the glaze over the bars. Cool and cut into squares.
Glazed Orange Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup butter
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp orange extract
- 2 tsp orange zest divided
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp orange juice
Instructions
- Spray 9X13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or use parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, and salt.
- Add butter, eggs, orange extract and 1 teaspoon of the orange zest.
- Beat at medium speed with an electric hand mixer until well blended. Spread batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Bars should be golden brown and set in the center. Immediately after taking them out of the oven, pierce the bars several times with a fork to help avoid sinking.
- In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, orange juice and remaining teaspoon of orange zest.
- Stir until smooth and then pour the glaze over the bars. Cool and cut into squares.
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Do I need to refrigerate orange bars?
Orange brownies are fine to be stored at room temperature, but will last even longer if stored in the refrigerator. If you’re going to eat them within a couple of days, room temperature is fine, but they can stay good in the refrigerator for up to a week.
How do you store orange brownies?
Orange bars should be stored in the fridge if you have intentions of eating them within a week, but any storage longer than that should be done in the freezer. They can last in the freezer for up to 4 months if sealed in an airtight container or well wrapped.
Love oranges? So do we! All of our favorite orange flavored recipes!
- Easy Orange Sherbet
- Orange Creamsicle Fruit Dip
- Orange Cream Fruit Salad
- Cranberry Orange Cobbler
- Mandarin Orange Cake with Pineapple
- Orange Rolls
- Orange Chicken
- Orange Cheesecake Brownies
- Orange Juice Bread
- Easy Orange Sherbet
- Homemade Orange Julius
- Chocolate Orange Cookies
- Orange Chiffon Cake
Glazed Orange Brownies are full of orange flavor in a soft and chewy dessert bar recipe. These orange brownies are even more delicious with a simple orange glaze on top!
Leslie says
You know what, I've just saw Paula Deen make a recipe almost just like this and thought how DELICIOUS it looked! We would love these bars! They look so moist and sticky–yum. Thanks for the recipe. :)<br />Blessings,<br />Leslie
Shannon Hawk says
These look like a perfect Spring dessert! I am pinning these:) Thanks for sharing-they look delicious!<br />Shannon {Cozy Country Living}<br />http://cozycountryliving.com
Julie says
What a delicious dessert. I've made lemon bars before but I've never tried making a dessert recipe with orange. I'll have to give this a try one day. Pinned and shared on Facebook. Stopping by from Sunflower Supper Club. Have a great Sunday!<br /><br />Julie @ This Gal Cooks
Ericka Breedlove says
These orange bars look delicious! I've never been a big fan of lemon bars either, but I bet these are fantastic! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
Ruthie Armstrong says
Oh my. I am already sure I'd LOVE these bars! Pinned. Thanks for coming to (link) party with me at Super Saturday Show & Tell 🙂 xoxo~ Ruthie
Carrie @ My Favorite Finds says
These look soo good! Great for those summer parties coming up! Thanks for sharing at Pinworthy Projects.
M.J. Powell says
These look delicious. We would like to invite you to share them at our party that goes live tonight: thebusybhive.blogspot.com<br />Hope to see you there!<br />Thanks,<br />The Busy Bee's<br />Myrna and Joye.
Lori Lehman says
Just saw these on the Trendy Treehouse link-up party, yum yum will be making them this weekend! Thanks for sharing!
Meredith says
Visiting from the Whatever Goes Wednesday Link-up Party. Just the name of these make my mouth water! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Kristen says
I love anything orange. These looks awesome. Is the orange extract essential do you think? <br /><br />Pinned it.
Nellie says
I'm sure the recipe would be fine without the extract, but probably wouldn't have nearly as much of an orange flavor since extract has a very strong concentrated flavor. If you don't have the extract, I would at least substitute some orange juice for the extract to help add some orange flavor!
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes} says
These Glazed Orange Bars look delicious! Thanks for sharing last weekend at <a href="http://thebestblogrecipes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">The Best Blog Recipes</a><br /><br />I've featured your link at this weeks party that just went live 🙂 <br /><br />Thanks,<br />Shauna<br />
Nellie says
Thanks so much for the feature!
Rhondda Mol says
These looks so delicious! I pinned the recipe 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Jen Rollins says
Pinned and MUST try!! I love orange anything! Caught your feature over at Finding the Pretty and Delicious Link Party – congrats!<br /><br />Would love to have you over to explore my recipes as I am a foodie too!<br /><br />Jen @ http://www.sassypantstudio.blogspot.com
Charlene@APinchofJoy says
Sounds wonderful! I think the chocolate would be great with the orange, too. Pinned. Thanks so much for linking on busy Monday!
Pint Sized Baker says
Another one, please! Pinned! Thanks so much for linking up to <a href="http://www.pintsizedbaker.com" rel="nofollow">Two Cup Tuesday</a> at Pint Sized Baker. I look forward to coming back on Monday Night!
Lisa says
Oh my goodness, these look amazing! Everything you make looks SO good. Thanks for linking up with "Try a New Recipe Tuesday." 🙂
Shauna Smart says
Thanks for linking up this post to The Best Blog Recipes <a href="http://thebestblogrecipes.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">@The Weekend re-Treat!</a><br />You’ve been featured on today’s 25 Easter Dessert Idea’s post! <br /><br />Hope to see you link up again at the party this weekend!<br /><br />Shauna<br />http://thebestblogrecipes.blogspot.com/<br />http://ready2loseweight.blogspot.com/<br />
ozjunkie says
I call them orange brownies. same consistency and people really look at them funny
Justine says
Yum! I love oranges, but you just don’t see a ton of orange desserts out there – these were awesome!