Cream Cheese Orange Bars

A uniquely different take on the average cheesecake, these cream cheese orange bars with their shortbread base are perfect for a tea-time treat!

Makes: 10-12 bars

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 45-50 minutes + chilling time

You’ll need:

For the shortbread base:

250g plain flour

½ tsp salt

70g caster sugar

Zest of 1 large orange

220g butter, chilled and cubed

For the filling:

220g Paysan Breton French Sea Salt cream cheese

400g caster sugar

40g plain flour

Juice of 1 large orange

Zest of 2 large oranges

6 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

Icing sugar, for dusting

Slices of orange for decoration (optional)

What to do

Pre-heat the oven to 180 º C and line a square baking tin with parchment paper.

First make the shortbread base

In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, caster sugar and orange zest. Add the cubed butter. Using the tips of your fingers rub the butter through the flour until you have a breadcrumb like texture. Be careful not to over work it.

Pour the mix into the prepared baking tin and press it down until compact. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until just starting to turn golden brown. Set aside.

Prepare the filling

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cream cheese and caster sugar until smooth.

Mix in the flour, juice and zest of 2 oranges, the eggs and vanilla extract until completely incorporated.

Pour the filling mixture over the shortbread base and place back in the oven for 40-45 minutes until set.

Leave to cool for 15 minutes and then place in the fridge to cool for 3-4 hours.

Remove from the tin, slice into bars and sprinkle with icing sugar.

Add slices of orange for an extra zesty kick.

Recipe courtesy of: Paysan Breton

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Melina - Assistant Editor

Hi I'm Melina, a mother of 3 teenage children and with a particular interest in all things health related. I run a busy household and smallholding alongside my work with Silversurfers, which currently includes dogs, fish, hens, ducks and pigs!

Latest posts by Melina - Assistant Editor (see all)

• Which popular TV shows would you like to see remade? - September 27, 2021
• Pickled Shallots Three ways - September 26, 2021
• French Shallot Soup - September 25, 2021
• The sad significance of ‘The 27 Club’ - September 22, 2021
• Shallot and Mushroom Lasagne - September 21, 2021