Orange Creamsicle Bars

Yield: 9 bars
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Special Equipment: 8×8 pan

Ingredients

• 1⅓ cups graham cracker crumbs

• 5 tbsp melted butter

• 12 oz cream cheese, softened

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1¼ cups Cool Whip, thawed

• 1 (3 oz) package orange Jell O

• 3/4 cup boiling water

• 1/3 of the cream cheese filling

• 1¾ cups Cool Whip, thawed

Directions

1. Mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until evenly combined. Press firmly into a parchment lined 8x8 pan. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.

2. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in 1¼ cups Cool Whip. Spread evenly over the crust, reserving about one third of the mixture for the orange layer.

3. In a bowl, whisk together the orange Jell O and boiling water until completely dissolved. Let cool for about 10 minutes.

4. Stir the reserved one third of the cream cheese mixture into the cooled Jell O. Fold in 1¾ cups Cool Whip until smooth and fluffy.

5. Spread the orange mixture over the cream cheese layer and smooth the top.

6. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until fully set.

7. Top with whipped cream and mandarin orange slices if desired before serving.