About
Remember when the ice cream truck would come down the street and you would grab a delicious orange creamsicle pop? Creamsicle Bars find that feeling and transform it into something new but equally delicious! A buttery, crumbly crust upholds creamy layers of tangy, fluffy, vanilla and bright orange in a cool and refreshing treat! Creamsicle Bars are charming and nostalgic, plain and simple.
Ingredients
- For the crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 10 crackers)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- For the filling:
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 5 1/2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
- 2 (3-ounce) packages orange-flavored gelatin
- 1 cup water, boiling
Directions
Step 1 -Lightly coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
Step 2 -Line the bottom of the prepared baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two opposing sides of the pan.
Step 3 -Lightly coat the parchment paper with cooking spray.
Step 4 -In a medium bowl, add the graham cracker crumbs, the granulated sugar, the melted butter, and the salt and fold until the mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when pressed down.
Step 5 -Scrape the crust mixture into the prepared pan and press it into an even layer using the back of a spoon or the bottom of a measuring cup.
Step 6 -In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, the powdered sugar, and the vanilla and using an electric handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat until smooth and silky, about 3 minutes.
Step 7 -Add 1 cup of the whipped topping to the cream cheese mixture and using a spatula, fold to combine.
Step 8 -Add 1 cup of the remaining whipped topping to the cream cheese mixture and fold to combine.
Step 9 -Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the prepared crust in the baking pan.
Step 10 -Place the pan in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Step 11 -In a medium heatproof bowl, add the gelatin.
Step 12 -Pour the boiling water over the gelatin and whisk until the gelatin is dissolved.
Step 13 -Place the bowl in the refrigerator and allow the gelatin mixture to cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes. The gelatin should be cool but not set.
Step 14 -Transfer the pan from the refrigerator, then add 2 cups of the remaining whipped topping to the gelatin mixture and whisk to combine.
Step 15 -Evenly spread the gelatin mixture over the cream cheese mixture.
Step 16 -Cover the pan and refrigerate it until the gelatin mixture is set, at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
Step 17 -Transfer the pan from the refrigerator, uncover it, and spread the remaining 1/2 cup of the whipped topping in an even layer over the gelatin mixture in the pan.
Step 18 -Carefully run a small, offset spatula or a thin knife around the edges of the pan.
Step 19 -Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the dessert out of the pan and transfer it to a cutting board.
Step 20 -Slice into squares and serve.
