Orange Bars With Cardamom Cream Swirl

These Orange Bars with Cardamom Cream Swirl are a delightful treat that perfectly balances bright citrus flavors with the warm, aromatic spice of cardamom. Imagine a buttery, tender shortbread base infused with fresh orange, topped with a luscious, creamy swirl – it’s sunshine in every bite! This recipe is surprisingly easy to make and is guaranteed to impress your friends and family. Whether you’re looking for a special dessert for a brunch gathering or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, these orange bars are the answer. Let’s dive into the ingredients you’ll need to create this irresistible dessert!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 150g (1 ¼ cup) All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our bars, providing structure and a tender crumb. Using a good quality all-purpose flour ensures a consistent texture.
• 50g (½ cup) Almond Flour: This adds a subtle nutty flavor and contributes to a wonderfully moist and delicate texture. Almond flour also helps create a slightly more tender bar.
• 200g (1 cup) Granulated Sugar: Essential for sweetness, granulated sugar also helps create a slightly chewy texture in the base.
• 115g (½ cup) Unsalted Butter, Melted: Melted butter creates a tender and rich base. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the bars.
• 2 Large Eggs: These bind the ingredients together and provide lift, resulting in a light and airy texture.
• 60ml (¼ cup) Fresh Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice is key for a vibrant citrus flavor. Avoid using concentrate for the best results.
• 1 Tbsp (15ml) Orange Zest (about 1 orange): The zest contains the aromatic oils of the orange, providing an intense citrus aroma and flavor. Be sure to zest only the orange part, avoiding the bitter white pith.
• 1 tsp (5g) Baking Powder: This leavening agent helps the bars rise slightly, creating a lighter texture.
• ¼ tsp (1.5g) Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• 120ml (½ cup) Whole Milk: Forms the base of our cardamom cream, providing a smooth and creamy texture.
• 120ml (½ cup) Heavy Cream: Adds richness and silkiness to the cardamom cream, creating a luxurious swirl.
• 80g (⅔ cup) Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cardamom cream, complementing the warm spice.
• 1 tsp (2g) Ground Cardamom: The star spice! Cardamom offers a warm, fragrant, and slightly floral flavor that pairs beautifully with orange.
• 20g (2 Tbsp) Cornstarch: This thickens the cardamom cream, ensuring it has a beautiful swirlable consistency.
• Pinch of Salt: Enhances the flavors in the cardamom cream.
• 30g (2 Tbsp) Sliced Almonds, Toasted: Provides a delightful crunch and nutty flavor as a garnish. Toasting the almonds brings out their natural oils and enhances their flavor.
• 1 tsp Orange Zest for Dusting: A final touch of orange aroma and visual appeal.

Ingredient Substitutions

While this recipe is designed for optimal flavor, here are a few substitutions you can make if needed:

• Almond Flour: You can substitute with an equal amount of all-purpose flour, but the texture will be slightly less tender.
• Fresh Orange Juice: Bottled orange juice can be used in a pinch, but the flavor won’t be as vibrant.
• Cardamom: If you’re not a fan of cardamom, you can substitute with an equal amount of nutmeg or cinnamon, though the flavor profile will change.

Baking the Perfect Orange Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This ensures even baking. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly with butter or baking spray. For easy removal, lining the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, is highly recommended. This creates ‘handles’ to lift the cooled bars out cleanly.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisking is crucial here – it aerates the dry ingredients and ensures the baking powder is evenly distributed, leading to a lighter, more consistent texture.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, eggs, orange juice, and orange zest. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and emulsified. The melted butter should be cooled slightly to prevent cooking the eggs.
4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gently pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir *just* until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough bars. A few streaks of flour are okay; they will disappear during baking.
5. Spread the Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to ensure a uniform thickness. This promotes even baking and a consistent texture throughout the bars.
6. Prepare the Cardamom Cream: In a saucepan, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, sugar, ground cardamom, a pinch of salt, and cornstarch. The cornstarch is essential for thickening the cream.
7. Cook the Cream: Cook the cream mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and just begins to boil. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes. Continuous stirring prevents scorching and ensures a smooth, lump-free cream. Remove from heat immediately once thickened.
8. Swirl the Cream: Immediately drizzle the warm cardamom cream over the batter in the pan. Using a thin knife, skewer, or toothpick, gently swirl the cream into the batter to create a beautiful ribbon pattern. Avoid over-swirling, as this will blend the cream into the batter and diminish the visual effect.
9. Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the bars.
10. Cool and Finish: Allow the bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before lifting them out (using the parchment paper overhang, if used). Cool completely on the rack before frosting.
11. Toast Almonds & Garnish: While the bars cool, toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant. Sprinkle the toasted almonds and a dusting of fresh orange zest over the cooled bars.
12. Cut and Serve: Cut the cooled slab into 12-16 bars, wiping the knife clean between cuts for neat edges.

The Magic of Almond Flour in Orange Bars

While all-purpose flour provides the structure for these bars, the addition of almond flour is a game-changer. Almond flour contributes a delightful moistness and a subtle nutty flavor that complements the orange and cardamom beautifully. It also creates a more tender crumb, preventing the bars from becoming dry or crumbly. Don’t substitute with almond meal; almond flour is made from blanched almonds and has a finer texture.

Cardamom: A Spice with History

Cardamom isn’t just a delicious spice; it has a rich history! Originating in India, cardamom was prized by ancient civilizations for its aromatic and medicinal properties. In these orange bars, cardamom adds a warm, complex flavor that elevates the citrus notes. It’s a subtle but impactful addition that sets these bars apart. The floral and slightly citrusy notes of cardamom pair exceptionally well with orange.

Tips for a Perfect Swirl

Achieving a beautiful cardamom cream swirl is easier than you think! The key is to work quickly while the cream is still warm and fluid. Don’t overthink it – a few gentle swirls are all you need. If you want a more defined swirl, try using a piping bag to drizzle the cream in a controlled pattern. For a more marbled effect, create larger, sweeping swirls.

Storing Your Orange Bars

These Orange Bars with Cardamom Cream Swirl are best enjoyed within 2-3 days. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week, but the texture may become slightly firmer. You can also freeze the bars (cut or uncut) for up to 2 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different citrus fruits?

Absolutely! While orange is the star of this recipe, you can experiment with other citrus fruits like grapefruit or mandarin oranges. Adjust the amount of zest to your liking.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for binding.

What if I don’t have cardamom?

If you don’t have cardamom, you can omit it, but it does add a unique flavor. A pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon could be used as a substitute, but the flavor profile will be different.

These Orange Bars with Cardamom Cream Swirl are a delightful treat that’s sure to impress! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your Pinterest board for later. Happy baking!

Orange Bars With Cardamom Cream Swirl

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• Author: Jusmira Rayne
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12–16 bars 1x
• Diet: General

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Description

These orange bars combine a buttery shortbread base with a vibrant orange flavor and a creamy cardamom swirl, creating a delightful and easy-to-make dessert.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 150g (1.25 cup) All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and a tender crumb.
• 50g (0.5 cup) Almond Flour: Adds a nutty flavor and moist texture.
• 200g (1 cup) Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and creates a chewy texture.
• 115g (0.5 cup) Unsalted Butter, Melted: Creates a rich and tender base.
• 2 Large Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides lift.
• 60ml (0.25 cup) Fresh Orange Juice: Adds vibrant citrus flavor.
• 1 Tbsp (15ml) Orange Zest (about 1 orange): Provides intense citrus aroma.
• 1 tsp (5g) Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise.
• 0.25 tsp (1.5g) Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
• 120ml (0.5 cup) Whole Milk: Forms the base of the cardamom cream.
• 120ml (0.5 cup) Heavy Cream: Adds richness to the cardamom cream.
• 80g (0.67 cup) Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cardamom cream.
• 1 tsp (2g) Ground Cardamom: Adds warm, fragrant spice.
• 20g (2 Tbsp) Cornstarch: Thickens the cardamom cream.
• Pinch of Salt: Enhances flavors in the cream.
• 30g (2 Tbsp) Sliced Almonds, Toasted: Provides crunch and nutty flavor.
• 1 tsp Orange Zest for Dusting: Adds aroma and visual appeal.

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Instructions

1. Preheat & Prepare: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Combine melted butter, eggs, orange juice, and zest.
4. Combine Wet & Dry: Gently mix wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
5. Spread Batter: Pour batter into the pan and spread evenly.
6. Prepare Cardamom Cream: Whisk together milk, cream, sugar, cardamom, salt, and cornstarch.
7. Cook Cream: Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thickened (4-5 minutes).
8. Swirl Cream: Drizzle cream over batter and gently swirl.
9. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
10. Cool & Finish: Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then cool completely.
11. Toast & Garnish: Toast almonds and sprinkle over bars with orange zest.
12. Cut & Serve: Cut into 12-16 bars.

Notes

For easy removal, line the baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. Toasting almonds enhances their flavor.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg

Keywords: orange bars,cardamom,shortbread,citrus,dessert,baking,easy,cream,almonds