Blood Orange Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Blood Orange Bars offer a bright, tangy twist on classic citrus desserts. With a buttery crust and a sweet, slightly tart filling, they capture the unique flavor of blood oranges perfectly. They make a refreshing treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 Tablespoons blood orange zest (from 1 orange)
• 1/2 cup blood orange juice (from 2 oranges)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• Burgundy gel food coloring (optional)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix together the flour, powdered sugar, and softened butter until a soft dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Step 3: Bake the crust for 25 minutes, until lightly golden.
4. Step 4: While the crust bakes, combine blood orange zest, blood orange juice, granulated sugar, flour, salt, and eggs in a food processor or blender. Pulse until the mixture is light and frothy.
5. Step 5: For a brighter color, stir in a small amount of burgundy gel food coloring until it matches the inside of blood oranges. This step is optional.
6. Step 6: Once the crust finishes baking, pulse the filling mixture again, then pour it over the hot crust. Bake for an additional 25–30 minutes, until the filling is set. Remove and let cool completely to room temperature.
7. Step 7: Before serving, sprinkle powdered sugar evenly on top of the bars.
8. Step 8: If not serving immediately, cool the bars completely, then refrigerate. Before serving the next day, blot any moisture from the top and reapply powdered sugar.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh blood oranges for the best flavor and vibrant color; bottled juice won’t have the same brightness.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend in both crust and filling.
• If you like a stronger citrus flavor, add extra zest but avoid adding too much juice to keep the filling from becoming too runny.

Storage

Store the blood orange bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. You can reheat individual portions briefly in the microwave if desired, but they are just as delicious chilled.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular oranges instead of blood oranges?

Yes, regular oranges can be used, but the unique color and slightly different flavor of blood oranges is part of what makes these bars special.

Do I need the gel food coloring?

No, the gel food coloring is optional and only helps achieve a more vibrant, blood orange-like color. The bars will still taste great without it.

Blood Orange Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 89 reviews

These Blood Orange Bars offer a bright and tangy twist on a classic dessert with a buttery crust and a luscious citrus filling. Enhanced with fresh blood orange zest and juice, these bars are perfect for citrus lovers looking for a vibrant, sweet treat that’s both visually stunning and delicious.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10-15 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

Filling

• 2 Tablespoons blood orange zest (1 orange)
• 1/2 cup blood orange juice (2 oranges)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• burgundy gel food coloring, optional

Garnish

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with foil and spray it with nonstick spray to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
2. Make the crust: In a bowl, combine the all purpose flour, powdered sugar, and softened unsalted butter. Mix until a soft dough forms. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create an even crust layer.
3. Bake the crust: Place the pan in the oven and bake the crust for 25 minutes, until lightly golden and set.
4. Prepare the filling: While the crust is baking, combine the blood orange zest, blood orange juice, granulated sugar, flour, salt, and eggs in a food processor or blender. Pulse until the mixture becomes light and frothy, creating a smooth filling base.
5. Add optional coloring: If desired, stir in a small amount of burgundy gel food coloring to achieve a vibrant color resembling the inside of blood oranges. This step is optional and for visual enhancement only.
6. Combine and bake: Once the crust has finished baking, pulse the filling mixture again briefly, then pour it evenly over the hot crust. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
7. Cool the bars: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely to room temperature to ensure the filling firms up properly.
8. Garnish and serve: Just before serving, sprinkle powdered sugar evenly over the top of the bars for a beautiful and sweet finish.
9. Storage: If not serving immediately, cool the bars completely, then refrigerate them. Before serving on the following day, blot the surface to remove any moisture and re-sprinkle with powdered sugar for optimal presentation.

Notes

• You can substitute blood orange juice with regular orange juice if blood oranges are unavailable, but the flavor and color will be less intense.
• Burgundy gel food coloring is optional and mainly used to enhance the bar’s natural vibrant color.
• Ensure the bars are completely cooled before cutting to get clean slices.
• Refrigerating the bars helps the filling to set firmly, making them easier to slice.
• These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Keywords: blood orange bars, citrus dessert, orange zest dessert, citrus bars, tangy dessert, easy baked bars