Orange Creamsicle Bars

[PurplePuppy]

Orange Creamsicle Bars



Makes 20 bars

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup butter flavor vegetable shortening

1 ¼ cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons orange zest ***

1 ½ tablespoons orange juice***

1 cup white chocolate chips

2-3 tablespoons orange decorating sugar

Icing (optional):

½ cup confectioner’s sugar

1 tablespoon orange juice

Two teaspoons of orange extract  can be substituted for the orange juice and zest. No icing should be used.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9” x 9” pan with foil extending over the edges. Spray the foil with non-stick spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt.

Place vegetable shortening in large microwave safe bowl and microwave about 1 minute until melted.

Into the bowl of melted shortening add flour mixture, sugar, eggs and yolk, vanilla, zest, and orange juice. Mix with a large spoon until smooth.

Stir in white chocolate chips.

Spread the batter evenly into pan then sprinkle with orange sugar. With fingertips, press the sugar gently to make sure it sticks to the batter.

Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

When cool, remove from pan by lifting the overhanging foil.

Cut into bars.

If icing, mix together orange juice and confectioners sugar until smooth. Adjust consistency if necessary by adding more sugar or juice. Drizzle over bars. Allow icing to dry completely before wrapping or storing.

Store at room temperature in an airtight container or ziplock bag for 2** weeks. For longer storage, I recommend not cutting into individual bars, but wrapping the entire square.