Description
Creamy Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars blend nostalgic summer flavors with a luscious dessert. Silky cream cheese and zesty orange notes create a delightful treat that satisfies sweet cravings with each refreshing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups (200 g) graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) orange marmalade
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp water
- Orange food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Pulse graham crackers with sugar and melted butter until well combined, then press the mixture compactly into a lined baking pan, creating a solid base.
- Crust Refinement: Bake the crust at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden, then cool completely to ensure a crisp foundation.
- Cheesecake Mixture: Cream cheese in a stand mixer until smooth, gradually adding sugar and blending until light and fluffy, incorporating eggs individually with minimal mixing to maintain a silky texture.
- Flavor Enhancement: Fold in sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla extract, orange zest, and fresh orange juice, stirring until the mixture achieves a uniform, velvety consistency.
- Baking Process: Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake at 325°F for 35-40 minutes, watching for a slight jiggle in the center when gently shaken.
- Cooling and Setting: Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake rest for 1 hour to prevent cracking, then transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Serving Presentation: Cut into precise squares, garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of orange zest, showcasing the vibrant orange creamsicle-inspired dessert.
Notes
- Crust Consistency Check: Press graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly to create a stable, compact base that won’t crumble when cutting bars.
- Prevent Overmixing Eggs: Incorporate eggs gently and minimally to avoid introducing excess air, which can cause cheesecake to crack or become dense.
- Temperature Control Technique: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth blending and prevent lumpy cheesecake texture, especially with cream cheese.
- Moisture Management: Pat orange zest dry before adding to prevent excess liquid from disrupting the cheesecake’s delicate consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 338
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 201 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 76 mg