Orange Citrus Bars

Submitted by TaterBug

"This recipe was inspired by one from Paula Dean. I made some changes because I found her recipe too sweet and a little bland. I think that my version is pretty darn good. Please let me know what you think? This is my version, I make the crust with whole wheat pastry flour to increase the health value and the taste is wonderful. I added a bit of lime zest as well, it makes for a nice contrast with the orange. I also added a little salt to the crust, filling and glaze. It really makes all the difference. You do not taste the salt per say, but it enhances the flavor of all the other ingredients and brings out the citrus. Don't leave it out!!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 16
• Yields: 2 dozen (small)
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1⁄2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup butter, cold and cubed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1⁄3 cup orange juice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 oranges, zested
• 1 lime, zested (and the juice)

• Orange Citrus Glaze

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄4 cup orange juice
• 1⁄2 orange, zested
• 1⁄2 teaspoon lime zest
• 1 pinch salt

directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Crust:.
3. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, and confectioners' sugar and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly, add vanilla. Press evenly into bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan. Bake 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.
4. Filling:.
5. In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, and juice until well mixed. Add 1/4 cup flour and baking powder, stirring to combine. Sprinkle in some orange zest and lime zest.
6. Pour into hot baked crust, and bake 25 minutes, or until set. Cool the bars, so you may top with orange citrus glaze.
7. For the Orange-Citrus Glaze:.
8. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and 1/4 cup orange juice together, so that it combines to make a nice creamy glaze sauce consistency. Add orange and lime zest. When all ingredients are mixed well, pour onto the citrus bars.