Sandra This Paula Deen Orange Brownies recipe is a chewy and zesty recipe, which is made with fresh orange juice and orange zest. It’s a unique twist on a classic dessert, ready in about 45 minutes, plus chilling time.
Paula Deen Orange Brownies Ingredients
For the Blonde Orange Brownie:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 3 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
For the Orange Cream Frosting:
- 8 ounces block-style cream cheese, softened
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 2 Tbsp orange zest
- 1 to 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 cups powdered sugar
How To Make Paula Deen Orange Brownies
- Prep Oven and Make Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs and mix well. Then, mix in the orange zest and juice.
- Finish Batter and Bake: Add the flour and salt and mix on low speed until just combined. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Make the Frosting: While the brownies bake, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer until smooth. Add the orange zest, 1 Tbsp of orange juice, and the powdered sugar. Mix until incorporated. Add more orange juice if needed to reach a good spreading consistency.
- Frost and Chill: While the brownies are still warm from the oven, use a fork to pierce holes all over the surface. Spread the orange cream frosting evenly over the top. Refrigerate until completely cool before cutting into squares and serving.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the most orange flavor? The secret is using both fresh orange zest and fresh orange juice in both the brownies and the frosting. For an extra flavor boost, rub the orange zest into the granulated sugar with your fingertips before creaming it with the butter.
- Why poke holes in the brownies before frosting? This is a key step! Poking holes in the warm brownies allows some of the creamy, tangy frosting to melt down into the brownie itself, making it incredibly moist and infusing every bite with orange flavor.
- Can I add nuts? Absolutely. A cup of chopped pecans or walnuts would be a fantastic addition to the brownie batter for some extra crunch and nutty flavor.
- How do I get a chewy brownie? The key to a chewy, not cakey, “blonde” brownie (or blondie) is to not over-mix the batter once the flour is added. Mix only until you no longer see streaks of dry flour.
What To Serve With Orange Brownies
These sweet, tangy, and rich brownies are a complete treat on their own. They are perfect for a bake sale, potluck, or as a simple dessert. They pair wonderfully with:
- A hot cup of black tea
- A simple cup of coffee
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the citrus
How To Store Orange Brownies
- Refrigerate: Because of the cream cheese frosting, these brownies must be stored in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container, with wax paper between layers if you stack them. They will keep well for up to a week and are delicious served chilled.
Orange Brownies Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 brownie
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Sugar: 35g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Technically, since they don’t contain cocoa or chocolate in the batter, these would be considered “blondies” or a bar cookie. The “brownie” name likely refers to their chewy, dense texture.
Using room temperature butter, eggs, and softened cream cheese is crucial for a smooth, well-emulsified batter and a lump-free frosting. Cold ingredients do not combine as easily and can result in a clumpy texture.
Yes, this recipe would be a fantastic template for a lemon or lime version. Simply substitute the orange zest and juice with an equal amount of lemon or lime zest and juice.
Try More Recipes:
- Paula Deen Chocolate Brownies Recipe
- Paula Deen Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Paula Deen Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
Paula Deen Orange Brownies Recipe
Description
A sweet and chewy blonde brownie packed with bright, fresh orange flavor and topped with a rich and tangy orange cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- Cream the butter and sugar for the brownies. Beat in the eggs, then the orange zest and juice.
- Mix in the flour and salt until just combined. Spread the batter in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Make the frosting by beating the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the zest, juice, and powdered sugar until creamy.
- While the brownies are still warm, pierce them all over with a fork.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the warm brownies.
- Refrigerate until completely cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
- The most important tip for this recipe is to frost the brownies while they are still warm and have been pierced with a fork; this allows the frosting to melt in slightly for an ultra-moist result.
- For the best, smoothest frosting, make sure your cream cheese and butter are fully softened to room temperature.
- Do not over-bake the brownies; pull them from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean to ensure a chewy, not cakey, texture.
- For the brightest citrus flavor, using fresh orange zest and juice is non-negotiable.
