Description
Delightfully tangy and sweet Orange Bars featuring a buttery shortbread crust topped with a luscious orange-flavored custard. Perfect as a refreshing dessert or snack, these bars balance citrus brightness with a rich, tender base.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup butter (cold)
- 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 allow easy removal of the bars.
- Make the Crust: In a mixing bowl, cream together the cold butter and confectioners sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and mix until it forms a crumbly dough. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a solid base.
- Bake the Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until it turns golden brown. Remove from oven and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare the Filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together the 4 eggs and granulated sugar until smooth and well combined. Stir in 2 tablespoons of flour, freshly squeezed orange juice, and orange zest until the mixture is uniform.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the orange filling over the baked crust evenly. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or 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 before slicing into squares and serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation in the filling.
- Ensure the butter is cold when creaming to achieve a crumbly, tender crust.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice and zest provide the best flavor; avoid pre-packaged juice for authenticity.
- Do not overbake the filling; it should be slightly jiggly when you remove it to maintain a creamy texture.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
