Sure, let’s delve into the delightful world of Orange Cheesecake Bars!
Orange Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Overview:
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
🥄 Servings: 3 dozen bars
🍴 Category: Bar Cookie
🔑 Keywords: Cheesecake, Dessert, Cookie & Brownie, Fruit, Thanksgiving, Weeknight, Oven, Refrigerator, < 4 Hours
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup orange juice concentrate
- 2 tablespoons grated orange peel
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- Orange food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
Prep Work:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan.
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the vanilla wafer crumbs and melted butter until well combined.
Step 2: Form the Base
- Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the greased baking pan, creating a firm crust.
Step 3: Make the Cheesecake Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add in the sweetened condensed milk, eggs, and vanilla extract, beating until everything is thoroughly combined.
Step 4: Layering
- Pour half of the cream cheese mixture over the prepared crust, spreading it out evenly.
Step 5: Add Orange Flavor
- To the remaining cream cheese mixture, add the orange juice concentrate, grated orange peel, orange extract, and orange food coloring (if using).
- Beat the mixture until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Step 6: Final Assembly
- Pour the orange-flavored cream cheese mixture over the first layer in the baking pan, ensuring it covers the entire surface evenly.
Step 7: Bake
- Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the center of the cheesecake is almost set. You can check by gently shaking the pan; the center should jiggle slightly.
Step 8: Cooling and Chilling
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the cheesecake bars to cool on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, refrigerate the bars for a minimum of 2 hours before cutting into them. This chilling time helps the cheesecake set and allows for easier slicing into neat bars.
Step 9: Serving
- After chilling, cut the cheesecake into bars of your desired size. You can use a sharp knife dipped in hot water for cleaner cuts.
- Serve your Orange Cheesecake Bars chilled and enjoy the creamy, citrusy goodness!
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 1456.2
- Fat: 110.9g
- Saturated Fat: 68.3g
- Cholesterol: 546.6mg
- Sodium: 1019.1mg
- Carbohydrates: 83.4g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Sugar: 77.6g
- Protein: 34.3g
These Orange Cheesecake Bars are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or simply craving a sweet treat. Their creamy texture, combined with the vibrant citrus flavor, makes them a delightful indulgence for dessert lovers everywhere!
