This Dream Bar Recipe is just as refreshing as it looks!  Bright and beautiful!  The perfect easy and light dessert for a Spring Brunch, Ladies Tea, Bridal Shower, Baby Shower, or those Hot Summer Days. With a vanilla wafer crust, light and fluffy center and a refreshing orange cheesecake top. A delicious summer recipe!

Reminiscent of the 50/50 ice cream bars these Orange Creamsicle Dessert Bars will take you back to a time when playing outside was what we all did and getting an ice cream from the ice cream truck was a treat!  Don’t forget the kids!  How about making them ORANGE CREAM POPS, ORANGE CREAM CAKE POPS or ORANGE DREAM PUPPY CHOW.

How to Make Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars

Instead of the traditional graham cracker crumbs cheesecake crust, this delicious recipe has a cookie crust. With three different layers of flavor. The bottom layer is a buttery vanilla wafer crust, then a creamy vanilla cheesecake, the top layer has tons of orange flavor and is the perfect orange cheesecake. The Vanilla Cheesecake layer tastes like creamy vanilla ice cream while the orange cheesecake layer tastes like orange sherbet. The perfect combination!

ORANGE CREAMSICLE DESSERT INGREDIENT LIST-full recipe below in recipe card

VANILLA WAFER CRUST INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 60 wafers)
• ¼ cup unsalted melted butter

VANILLA CHEESECAKE INGREDIENTS

• 3 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1 (14 ounces) can sweetened condensed milk
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

ORANGE CHEESECAKE INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate or fresh orange juice from the zested orange
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• several drops of orange food coloring OR make your own↓
• 5 drops yellow food coloring
• 3 drops red food coloring

VANILLA WAFER CRUST INSTRUCTIONS

1. Put wafers into a food processor and pulse until the wafers are in crumb form.
2. Preheat oven to 325°.In a large bowl, combine the wafer crumbs and butter.
3. Press in an even layer into greased 13-in x 9-in baking dish.

VANILLA CHEESECAKE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Beat cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add the milk, eggs and vanilla beat until combined.
3. Pour **half** of the vanilla cream cheese layer over the crust.

ORANGE CHEESECAKE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add the orange juice concentrate, orange peel, extract and drops of food coloring to the remaining cream cheese mixture; beat until combined.
2. Lightly pour orange layer over first layer.
3. Bake orange creamsicle dream bars for 45 to 50 minutes or until center is almost set.
4. Cool on a wire rack.
5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting.

HOW TO ADD MORE FLAVOR TO THE ORANGE CREAMSICLE BARS

Even though this easy dessert is one of my favorite summertime recipes. There’s no harm in giving it a extra boost. This step is totally optional. The cheesecake bars are absolutely delicious on their own. So, here’s my idea….adding a layer of homemade vanilla whipped cream over the top of the cheesecake along with fresh orange slices. I know!

VANILLA WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING INGREDIENT LIST-full recipe below in recipe card

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup powdered sugar

VANILLA WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place a mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for 15 minutes.
2. Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar.
3. Start on low until the cream starts to thicken (making sure to scrap down the sides).
4. Once the cream starts to thicken turn the mixer on high.
5. Whip until stiff peaks form. DO NOT OVER BEAT. Spoon onto the top of the cheesecake and evenly spread.
6. OPTIONAL: Add thin slices of orange standing up with a twist.

Orange Creamsicle Recipe Variations

Tools You Need

• MICROPLANE: Makes it easy to create fine orange zest a regular grater will work too but will create chunky orange rind
• FOOD PROCESSOR: Used to create a fine powder texture and blender would work too.
• MIXER: This can be a hand held type or free standing.

What are the benefits of using room temperature ingredients?

How to Store Cheesecake Bars

Do not leave the orange bars on the counter. Once cooled the bars must always be refrigerated. Look below for instructions on how to extend the freshness of cheesecake bars.

CUT BARS: Place cut bars in an airtight container and refrigerate. The bars will stay fresh up to 5 days.

UN-CUT BARS: Cover baking dish with tightly sealed plastic wrap and refrigerate. The bars will stay fresh up to 5 days.

FREEZER: You can freeze cheesecake bars whether whole or in slices. The fresher the cheesecake is when you freeze it, the better the results will be. Place whole or pieces of cheesecake bars in a freezer safe air-tight container. Should stay fresh up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.

How to Cleanly Cut Cheesecake Bars

There are a couple of ways you can get good clean cuts. The first one is a warm sharp knife. Dip the knife in a glass filled with hot water, wipe water off the knife with a paper towel, make one slice, wipe off the cheesecake from the knife, dip in the hot water, and repeat until all the bars have been slice. The second one is a little bit different and a lot easier. Use a plastic knife. For some reason the cheesecake doesn’t stick to the knife and will give you nice clean cuts. It also works when cutting brownies.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE THE VANILLA WAFER CRUST FOR A GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST?

Yes, the vanilla wafers and graham crackers are interchangeable. The only difference is the sweetness. You may need to add a couple tablespoons of sugar (about ¼ cup) to the graham cracker crumbs.

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