Just like the refreshing frozen treat, in cheesecake form! These delicious Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars are the perfect summer dessert!
Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars
These orange creamsicle cheesecake bars are my new favorite thing! They are literally SUMMER in dessert form! Plus they are absolutely stunning!
If you’ve ever had a creamsicle, then you know why I’m so excited here. That combination of sweet cream and tart orange is just perfect.
Now imagine all of that perfectness wrapped up in a smooth cheesecake, with an animal cracker crust for an extra little something. Yes, they taste just as delicious as you’re thinking!
Related: Try our Creamsicle Jello Shots too!
Why cheesecake bars?
If you’re an amateur baker (like me) cheesecake bars are the way to go!
Cheesecake bars are easier to make than regular cheesecake because you’re cutting them up anyways, so it’s ok if there is a little bit of splitting on top (which can super tricky to avoid!)
Even better, the orange sour cream layer on our creamsicle cheesecake bars covers up any imperfections, so they end up looking amazing no matter what!
And of course, cheesecake bars are a guaranteed hit at any party. My husband’s Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars and Guava Cheesecake Bars are practically famous with family and friends.
Creamsicle Cheesecake Ingredients
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For the Crust:
- 8 oz animal crackers, crushed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup orange juice
For the Orange Sour Cream Layer:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
- 2-3 drops of orange gel food coloring
Garnishes:
- Whipped cream
- Fresh orange slices or orange candy slices
Kitchen Supplies Used:
- 8″ square baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Frosting decorating bag
- Stand mixer (we bought ours certified refurbished to save a lot of money!)
- Non-slip mixing bowls
How to Make Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars
First, watch the quick 1-minute demo video to see how we make our orange cheesecake, then keep reading for photo step-by-step directions. A free printable copy of the recipe is available at the bottom of the post.
Click video to play:
To make the crust:
Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8-inch square baking pan. You can use either parchment paper or non-stick cooking spray.
Pulse animal crackers in food processor until you have fine crumbs.
TIP: You can also place the crackers in a large ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin.
Fold together animal crackers and melted butter in a medium mixing bowl, then firmly press your animal cracker crust into your prepared pan.
Bake for 10 minutes, then remove pan from oven and reduce temperature to 300°F.
To make the creamsicle cheesecake:
Beat together cream cheese and white sugar using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing as you go. Add orange juice and orange zest and continue mixing until the batter is smooth.
Pour the orange cheesecake batter on top of baked crust.
Bake at 300°F for 30-40 minutes.
TIP: Keep a close eye on your cheesecake as it bakes, to make sure it doesn’t overcook and split on top. You’ll know it’s done when the cheesecake no longer jiggles in the middle and starts to turn golden brown around the edges.
Remove from oven and cool 20 minutes. Turn the oven up to 325°F.
Orange Sour Cream Layer:
Beat together sour cream, powdered sugar, orange extract, and orange food coloring. Pour onto your cooled cheesecake and return to oven for 10 additional minutes.
Remove orange cheesecake from oven and allow to cool to room temperature, then place in fridge to chill completely.
When ready to serve, cut into bars and garnish with whipped cream and sliced oranges.
TIP: You could also top your orange cream cheesecake with orange candy slices!
Related: Try our fruity Pink Lemonade Mini Cheesecakes too!
Free Printable Copy of Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake Recipe:
If you like this recipe, please rate it! We’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Crust:
- 8 oz animal crackers crushed
- 1/2 cup butter unsalted, melted
Cheesecake:
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup orange juice
Orange Sour Cream Layer:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
- 2-3 drops orange gel food coloring
Garnish:
- whipped cream
- orange slices
Instructions
To make the crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°Prepare an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or non-stick cooking spray.
- Pulse animal crackers in food processor until they are fine crumbs.
- Combine animal crackers and melted butter in a medium mixing bowl. Stir together until well incorporated.
- Firmly press your animal cracker crust into an 8-inch square metal pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove crust from oven and reduce oven temperature to 300°F.
To make the creamsicle cheesecake:
- Mix together cream cheese and sugar using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer.
- Add eggs one at a time, continuing to mix as you go.
- Add orange juice and orange zest and mix until your batter is smooth.
- Pour the batter into your pan, on top of the baked crust.
- Bake at 300°F for 30-40 minutes. Your cheesecake is done when it no longer jiggles in the middle and begins to turn golden brown around the edges.
- Remove from oven and cool 20 minutes.
Orange Sour Cream Layer:
- While your cheesecake cools, prepare the final layer. Turn your oven up to 325°F.
- Mix together sour cream, powdered sugar, orange extract, and orange food coloring.
- Pour onto your cooled cheesecake and return to oven for 10 additional minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature, then place in fridge to chill completely.
- When ready to serve, cut into bars and garnish with whipped cream and sliced oranges.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Pin our Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars on Pinterest:
More of our favorite cheesecake recipes:
Instant Pot Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake
The Best Dairy Free Cheesecake
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Suzanne says
This looks delicious! Thank you for sharing!