I almost decided not to enter this round of Browniebabe of the Month, which is put on by the lovely Myriam of Once Upon a Tart. You see, I really want that apron. I have been coveting it ever since I first saw it. So when this round was announced, I was really excited because I knew the recipe I wanted to enter. But then I started seeing entries pop up around the blogosphere like this one and this one. I knew that I probably didn’t have a chance to win. So I thought about sitting out this round, and maybe I would have a chance the next go around!! But then I remembered that it’s not all about the apron (although I really do want it!) but it is about sharing wonderful, tasty and decadent brownies with all of the world. And even if I don’t win, the biggest prize is posting a recipe that someone else tries and likes.
This recipe is 100% Paula Deen. I saw her make these a couple months back and immediately knew that I wanted to make them for a browniebabe event. Full of butter and sugar, they had to be good!! I am going the “blondie” route again, instead of a fudgie brownie. I mean, who wouldn’t love an orange blondie slathered with orange cream cheese frosting?!? I have had these on my mind ever since I saw Paula make them, and was so excited to have some time to make these this weekend. I can tell you, though, I think I’m gonna have these on my mind for a long time to come, even though I have finally made them!! I found 2 recipes on the Food Network website for orange brownies from Paula Deen. Both of the basic brownie recipes are the same, but one features an orange glaze while the other has an orange cream cheese frosting. I went with the cream cheese frosting as that was what was on the episode I watched, but I would like to try the glaze as well sometime.
These are super rich and super sweet, so keep that in mind when cutting them into pieces. A little piece goes a long way!
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks) softened
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure orange extract
- 1 teaspoon grated orange rind
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
- 1 (1-pound) box confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan.
- Stir together flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add butter, eggs, orange extract, and orange zest. Using a mixer, beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until light golden brown and set. Remove from oven, allow to cool and pierce entire cake with a fork. Spread the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting over completely cooled brownies. Cut into squares.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip the butter and cream cheese together with a hand-held electric mixer. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until it is all combined and smooth. Beat in the orange zest and juice. Spread over brownies.In a large mixing bowl, whip the butter and cream cheese together with a hand-held electric mixer. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until it is all combined and smooth. Beat in the orange zest and juice. Spread over brownies.
My previous browniebabe entries:
Disappearing Marshmallow Brownies
Basic Brownies with Pudding Topping
hey Deborah, the blondies look lovely! And I love the orange cream cheese frosting idea. (who wouldn’t, right?)
Oh you did so well going with the cream cheese frosting, it’s irresistable!
Ah, bless Paula and her heavy hand with butter and sugar. Those look fabulous! Hope you become Browniebabe this month.
These blondies are absolutely gorgeous! I hope you win this month’s round of BrownieBabe!
Deb,
I’m a total sucker for citrus flavors, so your blondies are a girl after my own heart!
thats what i call a blondie! good job and thanks for joining browniebabes. come back for the roundup next week! m
Oh your blondies look fab! And you got it my dear Paula – I love that woman!
They look irrestible…I want to reach through the screen and take one!
Those look fantastic~ I wish I had one right now! 🙂
I love Paula but haven’t tried any of her recipes. I may have to now.
Amen! I want me one of those aprons too, but I guess in the end I’m not really a loser cause I get to eat the brownies I’ve made, right?
I think you definitly stand a chance! Good choice on going with the cream cheese rather than the glaze, I would have done the same thing!
I have these bookmarked and had forgotten all about them, but oh my they look awesome! I really will have to give them a whirl.
Oh I bet those are mighty tasty.
These look really good. I like the combination of orange and cream cheese.
I just feel like grabbing one of those…simply irresistible.
Paula Deen haha, I love that woman! I think my favorite part about your awesome brownies is that you tied the orange rind into adorable little knots. I’m going to link to you right now, if you don’t mind!
These sound fabulous! Next I think you should figure out a way to combine dark, fudgy chocolate with all this orange goodness. Something like that might even be illegal in certain states.
Yum!! I love orange with cream cheese! They really look delicious–I’ll have to try these! I’m going to post mine tonight but these look better. 🙂
These look really great. I will definitely make them as I love orange anything.
Ooooh, Deborah! These look beyond heavenly! And I remember that Paula Deen episode too, and recall thinking at the time that Orange Blondies sounded so wonderful. And I have to say, I agree about those cute Brownie Babe aprons. 🙂
Those look fantastic! I hope you do win…keep entering! I love these recipes.
100% Paula Dean… how can you go wrong with that? I’m looking forward to trying these.
They look wonderful and good choice on the frosting! These would be a great change from traditional brownies!
my mouth is watering as i write this! i’m having some friends over for dessert this friday and i just figured out what else to add to the menu!
btw, is orange extract easily found in grocery stores? i’ve seen lemon but not sure about the orange. Thank-you.
YAY, I found it! I’m printing out the recipe. Thanks for letting me know about these!
~ingrid
Came across this a bit ago and made them for my Mom for Mother’s Day. I swapped out the cream cheese frosting for a chocolate pseudo-ganache of melted chocolate chips, orange juice and zest. She loved ’em. I loved ’em. Everybody loved ’em. =)
@Jenner, that sounds great. I’m having a craving and may have to make some of these up now!
My orange brownies looked and tasted like a pound cake rather than brownies. They were not gooey like brownies but they tasted great. Does anyone known of a” brownie” recipe that does not taste like chocolate?