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Orange Vanilla Cookie Bars

by Mari Vasseur
Tender orange flavored cookie bars topped with creamy vanilla bean frosting
Course Dessert
Servings 16 2-inch cookie bars

Ingredients
  

Orange Cookie Bars

  • 1 ½ cups (192g) all purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons (18g) cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) sugar
  • Zest of 1 medium orange
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon pure orange extract
  • 1 drop orange gel food coloring optional
  • Assorted candy decorations or sprinkles optional

Vanilla Frosting

  • ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch fine sea salt
  • 2-3 teaspoons whole milk

Instructions
 

Orange Cookie Bars

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a couple of inches of overhang.
  • In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch and salt.
  • In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar and orange zest until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg until incorporated, then beat in the extracts. Beat in the food coloring a little at a time, if using. Beat in the flour mixture just until combined. Do not over mix.
  • Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake until the top is set and the edges start to turn light golden brown, about 18-20 minutes. Let cool in the pan. Once cooled, remove the bars from the pan using the parchment paper as handles. Frost and cut into 2-inch squares. Add candy decorations or sprinkles if desired. Frosting

Vanilla Frosting

  • In a medium-size bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together just until smooth and combined. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, salt and 1 teaspoon of milk. Beat until smooth. Mix in additional milk a little at a time, if needed, to reach the desired consistency. Stir slowly with a spatula to remove any bubbles.
Keyword bars, orange vanilla cookie