Orange brownies are simply yum. They are light and bright alternative to a rich classic. For more Orange-y recipes try Cranberry Orange Bread, Copycat Orange Julius, and Orange Juice Smoothie.
Citrus Season
Citrus season in Arizona begins in December and lasts through March. It has been one of our favorite traditions to gather citrus from the backyard and to make yummy treats and drinks with it. From Lemon Bars to Orange Julius, fresh citrus has been so handy for some of the recipes we make, including today’s Orange Brownies. We first had them when one of our friends brought them over and we instantly fell in love. How can you not love a delicious, soft bar with hints of orange and topped with a glaze? I’m telling you – SO GOOD!
how to make them
PREP. Grease a 9×13 pan (optional: line with parchment paper). Preheat the oven to 350°F WET INGREDIENTS. Add the butter and sugar to a medium bowl and mix until they are creamed together. DRY INGREDIENTS. Mix in the salt, eggs, orange extract and orange zest. Stir until just combined. Add the flour and stir until ingredients are combined and smooth. BAKE. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
the Glaze
SIFT. Begin by sifting the powdered sugar into a small bowl to make sure it is smooth and free of any clumps. MIX. Add the orange juice and orange zest, then mix until the glaze is smooth. POUR. Once the orange brownies have cooled you can pour the glaze over the top. Wait a few minutes for the glaze to set before cutting.
Tips + SToring Info
If obtaining pure orange extract is tricky for you, I suggest using a few teaspoons of frozen orange juice concentrate. You can also use extra orange zest. When a recipe calls for zest it’s usually referring to small grates pieces from the peel of a citrus fruit normally lemons or oranges. You can buy a citrus zester or simply use the small section on a box cheese grater. I just wanted to note that different ovens can change the bake time as do different pans. Glass and ceramic dishes tend to need longer bake times than metal pans. Bake until lightly golden and batter has set. STORE the orange brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. To FREEZE, place each bar into a fold top sandwich bag and put them together in a freezer Ziploc. If you want to freeze the brownies in a larger block to be cut later, then wrap the entire block with plastic wrap and then again with aluminum foil. Label and freeze. Bars can be frozen for up to 3 months.
More Bars recipes:
Lemon Bars Cherry Bars Peach Crumb Bars Toasted Coconut Cookie Bar Snickerdoodle Bars Banana Bread Brownies
