Bursting with citrusy charm, Paula Deen’s Orange Brownies blend sweet, buttery blondie texture with the bright zing of orange. These rich treats are a dessert lover’s dream.
Every bite melts into creamy orange frosting, laced with zest and juice, delivering a burst of sunshine in every square. Ideal for potlucks, parties, or whenever a citrus craving hits.
Star Players in Paula Deen’s Orange Brownies
- Butter – The creamy base that gives the brownies their rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens the batter and helps create that iconic brownie crust.
- Eggs – Provide structure and moisture, holding everything together with a light, cakey finish.
- Orange zest – Infuses the batter and frosting with bright, aromatic citrus flavor.
- Orange extract – Deepens the orange essence in every bite, enhancing the overall flavor.
- Cream cheese – The key to the silky, tangy frosting that balances the sweetness.
- Confectioners’ sugar – Smooths the frosting and adds just the right level of sweetness.
- Orange juice – Adds citrusy brightness and smooths out the frosting texture.
How to Make These Citrus-Kissed Beauties
Start by creaming the dry ingredients with softened butter, eggs, orange extract, and zest. Mix until the batter is smooth, pour it into a 9×13-inch pan, and bake until lightly golden.
Once cooled, whip the cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in powdered sugar gradually, then finish with fresh orange zest and juice. Slather over the cooled brownies, slice, and serve.
Sweet Tips for Perfect Orange Brownies Every Time
For the most vibrant flavor, fresh orange zest is essential—it adds natural oils that bottled juice can’t match. If using bottled orange juice, consider boosting the orange flavor with a few drops of extract.
These brownies don’t puff up like a cake—they stay dense and moist, with a blondie-like chew. Want more cake-like texture? Add a pinch of baking powder, though you’ll lose some of that fudgy charm.
Low-fat cream cheese can work for the frosting, but avoid fat-free—it tends to curdle and separate. Planning ahead? These brownies hold up beautifully when made a day in advance and chilled.
Keep ’Em Fresh: Storing Your Orange Brownies
To store leftovers, cover the brownies tightly and keep them in the refrigerator for up to five days. The chill helps set the frosting and deepens the citrus flavor overnight.
For longer storage, freeze individual frosted squares in an airtight container for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or let them sit at room temperature for about an hour before serving.
Blonde Orange Brownies
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp grated orange zest
- 2 tsp pure orange extract
- 1 cup butter softened
Frosting
- 2 Tbsp orange juice
- 2 Tbsp orange zest
- 4 Tbsp softened butter
- 1 1-lb box confectioners’ sugar
- 1 8-oz package cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Cake: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Introduce the butter, eggs, orange extract, and orange zest into the dry mixture. With a handheld mixer, beat everything together until the batter is smooth and uniformly blended. Transfer the batter into the greased pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 30 minutes or until the top turns a light golden hue and the center is set. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Frosting: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese using a hand mixer until smooth. Gradually incorporate the confectioners' sugar, beating until fully integrated and fluffy. Blend in the orange zest and juice until the frosting is creamy and well mixed.
- Once the cake has cooled, evenly spread the frosting over the top. Slice into squares to serve.
