You can make these Chocolate-Orange Bars with Shortbread Crust in an hour! They feature an orange shortbread base, melted chocolate, and a gooey, orange filling.
Don't you love chocolate and orange together? It's a flavor combination with an incredible WOW factor!
You have to try these chocolate-orange bars I first made 30 years ago!
They feature three layers of goodness:
- a buttery shortbread crust accented with orange zest
- a creamy spread of melted semi-sweet chocolate chips
- a gooey, orange filling made from orange juice, zest and eggs.
They're similar to lemon bars, with the addition of dark chocolate. Oh my!!!
And if that sounds good, don't miss these Orange Pancakes with chocolate chips and these Orange Rice Krispie Treats with Nutella. And I have to tell you, I love this this homemade chocolate liqueur drizzled over this orange sponge cake.
Now, let's get to these refreshing citrus bars!
Recipe ingredients
Chocolate Chips: I always use semi-sweet chocolate chips here for dark chocolate flavor with a hint of sweetness. You could use milk chocolate chips if you prefer. I wouldn't use bittersweet chocolate chips, because the flavor will be too strong.
Orange Zest: You'll need two oranges to get enough zest to use in this recipe. It brings bright flavor to the citrus filling and crust.
Orange Juice: Go ahead and squeeze fresh juice from those two zested oranges. You need three tablespoons total. It will make the filling delicious!
How to make orange-chocolate bars
This recipe starts with a shortbread base for squares that you just pat into place. Then, you'll par-bake it so the hot crust can help melt a generous layer of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Then you'll pour an orange batter (similar to that of lemon bars) over the chocolate layer and bake until the top is set.
See the card at the end of this post for the full recipe, but here's an overview.
Make the shortbread crust for bars
- Toss the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl. Cut up a stick of butter and add it to the flour mixture.
- Use a pastry cutter (affiliate link) or two knives to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form.
- Add powdered sugar and orange zest and toss to combine.
- Transfer the crumbly shortbread dough to an 8x8 baking pan (affiliate link) and press it into place evenly. Par-bake the crust for seven minutes.
Make the chocolate and orange fillings
Now, you get to enjoy my favorite part of the process, which is spreading that soft, shiny, rich chocolate all over the crust. I might as well say it now: These triple-layer bars are for chocolate lovers only.
- Add semi-sweet chocolate chips on top of the warm crust. If the chips aren't melting enough, put the pan back in the oven for two minutes.
- Spread the melted chocolate all over the shortbread crust with a narrow spatula (affiliate link) or butter knife.
- Add the eggs, orange juice, zest, sugar, flour and baking powder to a mixing bowl.
- Whisk the orange filling ingredients to combine.
- Pour the fresh orange filling over the chocolate layer in the pan. Bake until the top is set.
The hardest part is resisting the urge to try these shortbread cookie bars warm out of the oven, with that intoxicating orange aroma tempting you!
Recipe tips
- Let the chocolate-orange bars cool for at least two hours after baking for the best taste and texture. Otherwise, they'll seem too gooey and overwhelmingly chocolatey.
- Try sprinkling sea salt on these dessert bars if you like sweet-and-salty flavor!
- You can double this recipe for a 9x13 pan.
Frequently asked questions
No, you don't have to refrigerate the bars. Store them at room temperature in a sealed container for up to four days.
Yes, you can freeze these chocolate-orange squares for up to three months. Let them cool first, then place them in a sealed plastic container. If you need to stack the bars, use wax paper between each layer.
Chocolate and orange desserts are a match made in heaven!
More recipes like this
- Mom's Orange French Toast
- Take 5 Cheesecake Bars
- Vintage Date Bars
- Iced Brownies
- Raspberry Chocolate Brownies
- Italian Rainbow Cookies
And be sure to check out my other dessert recipes!
Enjoy!
If you try this Chocolate-Orange Bars recipe, please leave a comment and a rating!
Chocolate-Orange Bars with Shortbread Crust
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (you will need two oranges for this recipe)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup salted butter (8 tablespoons)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Chocolate Layer
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (can use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter taste)
Orange Filling
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Garnish
- powdered sugar
- sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Rinse two oranges and pat them dry. Zest the oranges until you have 2 tablespoons of zest, and set it aside. (You will need half of the zest for the crust and the other half for the orange topping.)
- For the crust, in a medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt to combine. Cut up the stick of butter and add it to the bowl. Use a pastry blender or two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the powdered sugar and one tablespoon of orange zest.
- Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of an 8x8 pan. Bake the crust for 7 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the orange topping in the same bowl you used for the crust. Squeeze three tablespoons of orange juice and add it to the bowl. Whisk in the eggs, sugar, one tablespoon of orange zest, flour and baking powder until blended.
- When the crust has baked for seven minutes, remove the pan from the oven and pour the chocolate chips on top in an even layer. If the chips aren't melting enough, put the pan back in the oven for two minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and use a spatula to spread the melted chips into an even layer of chocolate.
- Pour the orange mixture over the chocolate layer. Wearing oven mitts, place the hot pan back in the oven to bake for 35 minutes, or until the top layer is lightly browned and set. (It should not be jiggly.)
- Cool the pan on a wire rack. When the dessert has cooled completely (a couple of hours is best) sprinkle with powdered sugar and sea salt, if desired. Cut into 12 bars. Store in a plastic container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to three months.
Notes
- These taste best when allowed to cool off for at least two hours after baking. They need time to set.
- Adapted from Great American Recipes, 1988.
- You can double this recipe for a 9x13 pan.
Nutrition
(Recipe Source: Adapted from Best Ever Chocolate Bars, Great American Recipes, 1988. Originally published on April 23, 2015 and updated now with new photos and additional information. Photos by Kanyi Muraguri for Cooking with Mamma C.)
Kanyi
I loved making this easy recipe and my family really enjoyed it. Who knew orange and chocolate went well together! 😋
Mamma C
Hi Kanyi - I'm so glad to hear that! Thanks for letting me know. I love the chocolate-and-orange combo!
Fatma
I got this recipe decade's ago from some recipe cards I got for free. I've even made them in lemon flavor. For the chocolate I use Lindt orange flavored dark chocolate. You can't have enough of orange!
Mamma C
Hi Fatma - I adapted this recipe from one of those old recipe cards. I haven't tried the lemon version. Using orange-flavored dark chocolate sounds delicious!
Antje
Is there anyone out there who actually made these bars? All the comments say they sound good. What is the point of such a review? Thanks.
Mamma C
Hi Antje - I've made these several times. Why don't you try them and leave a review?
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser
Oh good combo. I make a orange-chocolate fudge! I know I can not stop eating them once they are made. Actually anything orange & chocolate is a favorite combination. Good job my friend.
Mamma C
Cheryl, I'd love to try that orange-chocolate fudge! Have you posted that one yet?
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser
Hi Andrea, yes TK Recipe Box page 25 I used white chocolate (that time for the Christmas Holiday) or more often I'll use Chocolate/chocolate either milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet any will work. You'll love it and very easy. I think I may have posted a White & Chocolate Swirl Fudge around that time too?! I make fudge quite often 'cause I love it!!! Add some nuts into it too if you like! Walnuts, pecans Oh my.
Have a great Sunday. Cheryl
Mamma C
Thanks, Cheryl!
Tammy Renea
Orange and chocolate! Yes, yes, yes!!! Looks wonderful; I swear I can almost smell the aroma. Thanks for sharing!
Mamma C
You're welcome, Tammy! I had a hard time taking photos with that enticing aroma beckoning me to just dig in. 🙂
annie@ciaochowbambina
Oh yes...classic flavors for a classic dish...I love it...my mouth is watering at the thought of these delightful bars. Mm-mm-mmmm!
Mamma C
Yeah, I couldn't resist sneaking some every time I walked by. It's probably best that we polished them off already, lol. 🙂
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron
I love your twist on lemon bars! Especially the part where chocolate is involved 😉 Looks delicious!
Mamma C
I can't take credit for thinking of it, but I love it too. Thanks, Denise!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext
These pastry bars look divine, Andrea! I love chocolate and orange - one of my all time favourite flavour combos! 😀
Mamma C
I know how you love this combo, Jess! I have to try those Terry's chocolates you have in Europe. If they come in dark chocolate, I'd be a goner! 🙂