Blood Orange Citrus Bars
Nothing beats a good, juicy orange.
Lately, I have been enjoying a variety of oranges I don’t seldomly have. A few weeks ago my mother and I ordered HoneyBells. Although Honeybells look like an orange they are actually a hybrid of a tangerine and a grapefruit. They are sweet and so juicy. You wouldn’t believe the amount of fresh juice pours out of each HoneyBell without even squeezing it.
The funny thing is when you are at the market you only see a few kinds of oranges. You usually can find when in season navel and valencia oranges which are widely available at many markets, however there are actually over 600 varieties of oranges.  The blood oranges have a shorter season, so I am excited when I am able to find them at our local market. With a ruby colored flesh, they are great for adding slices into salads. They are also full of health benefits and rich of antioxidants, so not only do they taste great but they are so good for your health too.Â
This month for Secret Recipe Club I was assigned to the lovely blog Sweetly Serendipity. I just love that name. It is beautifully written by Taryn, who shares her delicious creations from Black Bean Avocado Brownies to Meyer Lemon Bread with Blood Orange Glaze. I had many recipes I was anxious to try, including these two but decided on making Blood Orange Citrus Bars. If you love fresh blood oranges, lemons and limes, you will adore these bars as much as I do. Each bite will leave you wanting more with its buttery crust and sweet citrus filling. With the signs of spring getting closer each day, these bars would perfect for your Easter gathering.  Â
Blood Orange Citrus Bars
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
Filling
- 6 extra-large eggs, room temperature
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice (about 3 blood oranges)
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup freshly squeeze lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 tablespoon fresh blood orange zest
- Confectioners sugar, for dusting
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line the bottoms and sides of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar using paddle attachment. Stir in flour and salt until just combined.
- Gather dough up in a ball and with floured hands press evenly into prepared baking pan and pressing along the sides about 1/2 inch. Chill dough for about 20 minutes.
- Bake crust for about 15-20 minutes until just lightly brown. Set on a wire rack to cool. Leave oven on.
Filling
- Whisk eggs, sugar, flour, juice and zest until blended. Pour over crust and bake for 30-35 minutes until filling is set. Let cool at room temperature.
- Lightly dust with confectioners sugar and cut into squares.
Notes
Adapted from Sweetly Serendipity
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Lovely photos! I hadn’t thought about this recipe in ages, but you’re right, with the impending spring season I should definitely give them another try. I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Love love love blood oranges . Best these are fantastic!
Oh these are just lovely! I’m a huge fan of lemon bars and I’m drooling over these. I really enjoyed being assigned to your blog this month and am happy the secret is finally out b/c I’ve been wanting to message you since day 1! LOL! Head on over to see what I picked….I’ll give you a hint–it’s also got citrus in it. 🙂
These look delicious! Love the idea of using blood orange. Great pick!
These squares look delightful, and as usual, your pictures are beautiful
Those look divine; sometimes lemon is just not what’s called for.
These look beautiful! My mouth is watering just looking at them. Great job with the pictures!
How refreshing! Can’t wait to try!
These bars look delicious! I’ve never had a blood orange before, but I’ll certainly be on the lookout for them now. Great SRC choice!
I am seeing so many amazing blood orange recipes. The texture of these bars looks dreamy, Jennifer!
What a great change from the usual lemon bars. Those look delightful!
Just the right amount of tartness in a blood orange to make these wonderful. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
I looooove blood oranges, and I know I would LOVE these! Gorgeous photos!
ohhh I love blood oranges! I just had one for the first time this weekend & it was to die for. I can imagine how great these bars taste!!
Okay, so I’ve never had a blood orange, but these bars immediately made my mouth water. LOVE!
These bars are so pretty, I love that you used blood oranges!
Love, love, LOVE these bars. I actually haven’t tried blood orange yet (shocking, I know) but that will change very very soon!
Not only have I never had (or even heard of until recently) honeybells but I’ve never had a blood orange either. I feel so left out 😉 Love these bars though. I’m sure they taste amazing.
These are gorgeous! I can’t get enough blood oranges right now.
I just saw blood oranges in the grocery store the other day and thought to myself – what can I make with those? Problem solved!
xo Jackie
these look delicious! blood oranges are great. 🙂 just saying hi from group A!
These are just gorgeous. I have honestly never bought blood oranges before. I tasted them once at whole foods, and they were delicious…but I never bought them. I think that needs to change.
Love your name Aimee!
Great minds think alike! I just made some lemon bars and posted about them too.
I think the idea of blood orange is wonderful. I have also made them with grapefruit. When we were in Florida last month, we picked up some honeybells and ruby red grapefruit. I made some grapefruit marmalade that was awesome.
These look so good!
Jamie
Simply gorgeous! I’ve been into oranges big time this year and can’t wait to try this recipe (and some Honeybells, too.)
Looks delicious! Great SRC choice! You had me at blood orange!!!
Seriously such a great idea! I love blood oranges and the fact you made a yummy dessert with them is freakin’ awesome!