Quick & Sweet Paula Deen Orange Brownies Recipe

Orange brownies tantalize taste buds with their unexpected zesty charm.

Sweet meets citrus in a delightful dessert that defies traditional chocolate expectations.

Bright, vibrant flavors dance across your palate, transforming an ordinary baking experience into something extraordinary.

Smooth textures blend seamlessly with tangy undertones, creating a mouthwatering sensation that surprises and delights.

Soft and rich, these treats promise a unique culinary adventure that breaks away from standard brownie recipes.

Simple ingredients come together in a magical fusion of comfort and excitement.

Rich cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious finish that elevates this dessert from good to absolutely irresistible: prepare to be amazed.

Tips for Perfecting Paula Deen’s Orange Brownies

• Savor Fresh Citrus: Squeeze oranges moments before mixing to capture vibrant, bright juice that elevates the entire brownie flavor profile.
• Balance Zesty Measurements: Grate orange peel delicately using a microplane, collecting just enough citrus essence without overwhelming the dessert's subtle nuances.
• Prevent Frosting Failure: Allow brownies to reach complete room temperature, ensuring the creamy topping spreads smoothly and sets perfectly without melting.
• Transform Texture Secretly: Gently pierce baked brownies with a fork, creating tiny channels that let orange-infused frosting penetrate deeply for maximum moisture and flavor intensity.
• Optimize Ingredient Harmony: Bring butter, cream cheese, and eggs to room temperature beforehand, guaranteeing a silky-smooth batter that blends effortlessly and bakes evenly.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Orange Brownies

• Vacuum Seal: Protect the Orange Brownies from freezer burn by using a vacuum sealer. Press out all air before sealing individual portions in specialized bags, which locks in moisture and preserves flavor intensity for up to 4 months. This method prevents flavor degradation and maintains the brownies' delicate texture.
• Layered Freezing: Stack brownies between sheets of parchment paper inside a rigid storage container. Separate each layer carefully to prevent sticking, ensuring easy individual retrieval. This technique maximizes freezer space and keeps brownies pristine during long-term storage.
• Room Temperature Storage: Keep Orange Brownies in a sealed plastic container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place a small piece of bread inside to maintain moisture and softness, preventing the dessert from drying out quickly. Choose a cool, dark spot away from direct sunlight to preserve their zesty flavor and tender crumb.

Creative Twists on Paula Deen’s Orange Brownies

• Citrus Crunch Brownies: Add chopped candied orange peel and toasted almond slivers to the batter for extra texture and intense citrus punch.
• Chocolate Orange Blast: Fold dark chocolate chips into the brownie mixture and sprinkle cocoa powder over the frosting for a rich, decadent variation.
• Zesty Glaze Option: Replace cream cheese frosting with a light orange glaze made from powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest for a lighter, more refreshing topping.
• Boozy Orange Treat: Incorporate a splash of Grand Marnier or orange liqueur into the batter for an adult-friendly version with deeper orange complexity.

Final Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Orange Brownies

Citrus dreams merge with classic comfort in Paula Deen’s orange brownies, creating a dessert masterpiece that dances between tangy and sweet.

Complex flavor profiles intertwine, promising a sensory experience unlike traditional chocolate treats.

Zesty orange notes pierce through rich cream cheese frosting, elevating each delectable bite.

Baker’s secret weapons – fresh zest and extract – unlock extraordinary depth in this simple recipe.

Homemade magic emerges from simple ingredients, transforming ordinary afternoons into memorable culinary moments.

Irresistible squares await: click share to spread sunshine, drop a comment celebrating citrus magic, and inspire fellow dessert enthusiasts to unleash their inner pastry chef.

Why Paula Deen’s Orange Brownies Are a Must-Try

• Burst with Zesty Citrus: These orange brownies deliver an unexpected twist on classic brownies, infusing every bite with bright, refreshing orange essence that dances across your taste buds and leaves you craving another square.
• Creamy Dreamy Texture: The combination of soft, dense brownie base and silky smooth cream cheese frosting creates a luxurious mouthfeel that melts perfectly, offering a rich and indulgent dessert experience that feels both comforting and sophisticated.
• Quick and Easy Crowd-Pleaser: With just 45 minutes from start to finish, this recipe requires minimal baking skills and delivers maximum flavor, making it an ideal dessert for spontaneous gatherings, potlucks, or when you want to impress friends and family without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile Seasonal Delight: Perfect for spring brunches, summer parties, or as a bright pick-me-up during dreary winter months, these orange brownies bring a sunshine-like energy to any occasion and can be easily adapted to suit different flavor preferences or dietary needs.

Key Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Orange Brownies

• Flour: The key structure and base for the brownie, all-purpose flour works perfectly.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender brownie texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Butter, Eggs: Softened butter and eggs create rich, moist brownie base with smooth texture.
• Orange Extract, Orange Zest: Delivers bright, intense citrus flavor and aromatic orange essence.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Softened dairy ingredients form the creamy, smooth frosting base.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with perfect sweetness.
• Orange Juice, Orange Zest: Adds fresh citrus punch and vibrant orange flavor to the frosting.

Making Paula Deen’s Orange Brownies from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F. Grease a 33 x 23 x 5 cm / 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Create Brownie Batter

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Salt
• Softened butter
• Eggs
• Orange extract
• Orange zest

Use an electric mixer to combine all ingredients until smooth and well blended.

Step 3: Bake The Brownies

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes until the top turns light golden brown and the center looks set. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Step 4: Whip Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese, softened
• Butter, softened
• Powdered sugar
• Orange zest
• Fresh orange juice

Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in orange zest and juice until smooth.

Step 5: Frost The Brownies

Use a spatula to spread frosting evenly across completely cooled brownies.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Cut into square pieces. Serve!

Paula Deen Orange Brownies Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Indulgent Paula Deen Orange Brownies blend citrusy zest with rich chocolate undertones. Silky squares of pure dessert bliss guarantee sweet satisfaction for chocolate and orange enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter
• 1 (8-ounce) package softened cream cheese
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons pure orange extract
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
• 2 tablespoons orange juice

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (1-pound) box confectioners’ sugar
• 4 tablespoons softened butter

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 175°C / 350°F and thoroughly coat a 33 x 23 x 5 cm / 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
2. Combine flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate softened butter, whole eggs, pure orange extract, and freshly grated orange zest, then use an electric mixer to blend until the mixture becomes smooth and homogeneous.
3. Transfer the brownie batter into the prepared pan, ensuring an even distribution. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, watching for a light golden-brown surface and a firm center. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
4. After cooling, use a fork to create multiple small punctures across the entire brownie surface, enabling better frosting absorption.
5. In a separate mixing bowl, cream together softened cream cheese and butter using an electric mixer until achieving a silky, uniform consistency. Gradually fold in confectioners’ sugar, continuing to beat until fully integrated.
6. Gently fold freshly grated orange zest and freshly squeezed orange juice into the frosting, mixing until achieving a creamy, vibrant texture.
7. Carefully spread the orange cream cheese frosting in an even layer across the fully cooled brownies, ensuring complete surface coverage.
8. Slice into square portions and serve, showcasing the delightful citrusy orange-infused dessert.

Notes

• Capture bright, zesty essence by using freshly squeezed orange juice for maximum flavor depth in the frosting.
• Prevent runny frosting by allowing brownies to cool completely before spreading the creamy topping.
• Control citrus intensity with precise zest measurements using a fine grater to maintain balanced orange flavor.
• Enhance moisture and taste by carefully piercing brownie surface with a fork, enabling frosting to penetrate deeply.
• Guarantee smooth mixing and optimal texture by ensuring all ingredients reach room temperature before preparation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 192 kcal
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 176 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 51 mg