Description
These Orange Creamsicle Bars feature a crunchy graham cracker crust layered with a creamy vanilla cheese filling and topped with a light, orange-flavored gelatin layer, finished with a fluffy Cool Whip topping. This no-bake dessert is a delightful and refreshing treat reminiscent of the classic creamsicle, perfect for warm days and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- Cooking spray, for greasing
- 10 graham crackers (from 2 sleeves), finely crushed (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Vanilla Layer
- 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups Cool Whip, divided
Orange Layer
- 1 cup boiling water
- 6 oz. Jell-O orange flavor gelatin
- 2 cups Cool Whip
Final Topping
- 1 1/2 cups Cool Whip
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Lightly grease an 8″-by-8″ baking pan with cooking spray, then line the bottom with parchment paper leaving a 2″ overhang on two opposite sides. Lightly grease the parchment with cooking spray as well for easy removal later.
- Mix crust ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the finely crushed graham crackers, granulated sugar, melted butter, and kosher salt. Mix until the mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when pressed.
- Form the crust: Scrape the cracker mixture into the prepared pan and press firmly into an even layer using the back of a spoon or a measuring cup. Set aside.
- Make the vanilla layer: In a medium bowl, using a handheld mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until smooth and silky, about 3 minutes.
- Incorporate Cool Whip: Gently fold 1 cup of Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture to lighten the texture, then fold in the remaining 1 cup of Cool Whip until fully combined.
- Assemble vanilla layer: Spread the vanilla mixture evenly over the prepared graham cracker crust. Place the pan in the refrigerator to chill while preparing the orange layer.
- Prepare the orange layer: In a medium heatproof bowl, pour the boiling water over the orange-flavored Jell-O gelatin. Whisk until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
- Cool the gelatin: Place the bowl in the refrigerator and let it cool until the mixture reaches room temperature, about 10 minutes, ensuring it does not begin to set.
- Fold in Cool Whip: Once the gelatin mixture is cooled, whisk in 2 cups of Cool Whip until well combined.
- Assemble orange layer: Spread the orange mixture over the chilled vanilla layer. Cover and refrigerate until the orange layer is set, which will take at least 1 hour and can be kept up to 3 days.
- Add the final topping: Spread the remaining 1 1/2 cups of Cool Whip evenly over the set orange layer.
- Slice and serve: Run a small offset spatula or thin knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the bars. Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out onto a cutting board. Slice into squares and serve chilled.
Notes
- Make sure the gelatin mixture is cooled to room temperature before folding in the Cool Whip to prevent melting and thinning the whipped topping.
- Using parchment paper with an overhang helps to lift the bars out easily for clean slicing.
- These bars should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain texture and freshness.
- You can substitute Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream if preferred, but consistency may vary.
- The bars can be kept in the fridge covered for up to 3 days without loss of quality.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Orange Creamsicle Bars, no-bake dessert, graham cracker crust, cream cheese filling, orange gelatin, Cool Whip dessert, summer dessert
