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Blonde Orange Brownies

Featured in Irresistible Desserts.

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and orange flavor, mix in flour, bake until golden. Top with orange cream cheese frosting while warm, then chill and cut into squares.
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Ranah
Updated on Tue, 01 Apr 2025 12:07:38 GMT
A slice of cake with orange slices on a plate. Pin it
A slice of cake with orange slices on a plate. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

These orange brownies deliver all the dense, moist texture of traditional brownies but swap chocolate for bright citrus flavor. Each tender square bursts with fresh orange essence from real zest and juice in both the batter and the silky cream cheese frosting. The result is a refreshing twist on a classic dessert that bridges the gap between brownie, blondie, and bar cookie – perfect for citrus lovers seeking something uniquely delicious.

I discovered this recipe through a reader named Cathy who noticed my obsession with citrus desserts. After she recommended her favorite orange brownies, I couldn't resist giving them a try. My first batch disappeared within hours at a family gathering, with everyone trying to guess the secret behind that perfect texture. Even my chocolate-devoted husband reached for seconds, which is the ultimate endorsement for any non-chocolate dessert in our house.

Ingredients for Orange Brownies

  • Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted, room temperature
  • Granulated Sugar: 1½ cups
  • Eggs: 4 large, room temperature
  • Orange Zest: 2 tbsp fresh (plus 1 tbsp for frosting)
  • Orange Juice: 2 tbsp fresh (plus 1 tbsp for frosting)
  • All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups (spooned and leveled)
  • Salt: ½ tsp
A slice of cake with orange slices on a plate. Pin it
A slice of cake with orange slices on a plate. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Cream Cheese: 8 oz full-fat, softened
  • Butter: ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted, softened
  • Powdered Sugar: 2 cups
  • Orange Zest: 1 tbsp
  • Orange Juice: 1 tbsp (plus more as needed)

How to Make Orange Brownies

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 13x9" pan with parchment
Step 2:
Cream butter and sugar 2-3 min until light and fluffy
Step 3:
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each
Step 4:
Mix in orange zest and juice until incorporated
Step 5:
Gradually add flour and salt, mixing just until combined
Step 6:
Spread batter in pan, bake 25-30 min until edges brown

How to Make the Frosting

Step 1:
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth
Step 2:
Add orange zest, juice, and powdered sugar
Step 3:
Adjust consistency with extra juice if needed
Step 4:
Spread over warm brownies (poke holes first if desired)
Step 5:
Chill 1+ hours before slicing

Texture Secrets

Proper creaming of butter/sugar creates dense-but-not-gummy texture. Avoid overmixing after adding flour. For extra fudginess, reduce flour by 2-3 tbsp. Glass pans bake more evenly than metal.

My 'no-sweets' neighbor requested the recipe after one bite - that's the power of these orange brownies. Their bright citrus flavor and perfect texture create instant fans.

A slice of cake with orange slices on top. Pin it
A slice of cake with orange slices on top. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

Variations & Serving

Try with lemon or blood oranges. Garnish with candied orange slices or edible flowers. Serve chilled for firmer texture or room temp for more pronounced orange flavor.

These orange brownies have become my signature citrus dessert - offering the perfect balance of familiar brownie texture with bright, refreshing flavor that surprises and delights with every bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What's the difference between a blonde brownie and regular brownie?
Blonde brownies (or blondies) are made without cocoa powder and use vanilla as the base flavor instead of chocolate. They have a butterscotch-like taste that pairs beautifully with citrus in this recipe.
→ Why do I need to pierce the brownies before frosting?
Piercing the warm brownies with a fork allows some of the frosting to seep into the bars, creating pockets of creamy goodness and ensuring the frosting adheres well to the surface.
→ Can I use bottled orange juice instead of fresh?
Fresh is best for the brightest flavor, but bottled juice will work in a pinch. However, you'll still need fresh oranges for the zest, which contains essential oils that give these brownies their aromatic orange flavor.
→ Can I freeze these blonde orange brownies?
Yes! These freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Cut into squares, place in an airtight container with parchment between layers, and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
→ What can I do if my frosting is too thick?
Simply add additional orange juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. For thinner frosting, you might need up to an additional tablespoon.

Citrus Cream Cheese Bars

Buttery, tender orange-infused blondies topped with a luscious citrus cream cheese frosting. The perfect balance of sweet and tangy in every bite.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Ranah


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 15 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Blonde Orange Brownie

01 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature (2 sticks)
02 1½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
03 3 large eggs, room temperature
04 1 tsp orange zest
05 3 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
06 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour, stir, spoon & level
07 1 tsp salt

→ Orange Cream Frosting

08 8 ounces (226 g) block-style cream cheese, softened
09 4 Tbsp (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
10 2 Tbsp orange zest
11 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice, or more if needed
12 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 02

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the orange zest and juice, and mix until incorporated.

Step 03

Add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Step 04

Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top and edges should be lightly browned.

Step 05

While the brownies are baking, make the frosting. In a large bowl with an electric hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add the orange zest, 1 tablespoon of orange juice, and the powdered sugar. Mix until well incorporated. Add up to 1 tablespoon more orange juice if needed, depending on your desired taste and consistency.

Step 06

While the brownies are still warm, pierce the entire sheet with a fork. This allows some of the frosting to seep into the brownies. Spread the orange cream frosting evenly over the top. Refrigerate until cool before cutting into squares. Keep leftovers refrigerated.

Notes

  1. You will need approximately 2-3 fresh oranges to get enough juice and zest for this recipe.
  2. These brownies are best served chilled and will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  3. For the most vibrant orange flavor, use fresh oranges rather than bottled juice.

Tools You'll Need

  • 13x9-inch baking dish
  • Electric mixer
  • Zester or microplane
  • Citrus juicer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowls
  • Fork (for piercing brownies)
  • Offset spatula (for spreading frosting)

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter, cream cheese)
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains gluten (all-purpose flour)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 224
  • Total Fat: 6 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 2 g