Move over, lemon bars, there’s a new sweet-tart Sheriff in town! These Blood Orange Bars have the perfect combination of a silky, creamy, tart, custardy top and a buttery, cake-like shortbread crust. These easy orange squares require just 8 simple ingredients and 15 minutes of active prep time, making them the ideal impromptu dessert baking project.
Update: This article was originally published in February 2016. I made updates to the post below to include more information about this recipe for blood orange bars.
About these orange bars
These blood orange squares are every bit as tantalizing as the original lemon recipe and then some. Also known as blood orange dream bars, these portable mini dessert cookie pies are packed with a delightfully citrusy flavor that is seriously addicting. One bite, and you’ll be in dessert heaven!
The blood orange curd on top is silky, creamy, tart, sweet, slightly sour, and gorgeously flecked with specks of bourbon vanilla bean. The shortbread crust is beautifully buttery and perfectly short, with a crumbly, just-holds-together consistency that melts on your tongue.
Why you’ll love this orange dessert
If you’ve considered what baking with oranges would look like, this is the recipe to try. Aside from being an extraordinarily delicious way to use the crown jewel of the citrus world, this blood orange square recipe is also:
- Quick & Easy – You only need 15 minutes of active prep time to prepare the homemade blood orange curd and the crumbly shortbread base before popping them in the oven.
- Made With Only 8 Ingredients – It might seem like you’d need more to create this stunning two-layer orange dessert, but in reality, it’s just so stinkin’ simple!
- Versatile – While I love the combination of sweet-tart blood orange and bourbon vanilla bean, you can easily make these bars using any type of citrus you prefer. Read on below for more ideas!
- Allergen-Friendly – Naturally soy-free, nut-free, and chocolate-free (yay for me!), these blood orange curd bars can also be easily made dairy-free and/or gluten-free.
What are blood oranges?
While the name of these beautiful citrus fruits might *sound* a little macabre, I can promise you they are anything but. They’re bright, sweet, and acidic, just like you hope fresh oranges to be!
What do they look like when you cut them open?
With a close relation to other favorites like naval oranges, cara cara oranges, and tangelos, blood oranges look like slightly smaller oranges with deeply pitted skin. While the skin itself may or may not have hints of what lies underneath, the ruby-red flesh of these beauties is what truly sets them apart.
A blood orange slice will look like a regular orange slice in every way — the segmentation, the texture of the fruit, and the orange peel — except that the flesh ranges from lined or streaked with red to being completely garnet-hued through and through.
What does a blood orange taste like?
Blood oranges have the signature sweet acidity of citrus fruits, but with a tinge of tart raspberry flavor that is simply ravishing. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make any orange recipe with blood oranges instead for a bright pop of color.
Ingredients for orange squares
As promised, you only need 8 simple ingredients to make these beautiful blood orange dessert bars. Here’s your shopping list:
- Unsalted Butter – For making the orange curd rich and silky and for making the shortbread crust rich and buttery.
- Substitutions: You’re welcome to swap in salted butter if that’s all you have on hand, but you’ll likely need to omit the added salt if you do. You can also use your favorite vegan butter alternative if needed.
- Granulated Sugar – You’ll use neutral-flavored white sugar in both the curd and the shortbread crust to add sweetness.
- Substitution: Feel free to use organic cane sugar or your preferred cup-for-cup sugar alternative (e.g. Swerve).
- Eggs – For thickening the curd into jiggly, custardy perfection. As a bonus, unlike other fruit curd recipes, you don’t have to separate the egg yolks from the whites them first!
- Blood Oranges – These oranges are in prime season from December-April, so you should be able to find them at well-stocked grocery stores like Publix, Trader Joe’s, or Whole Foods. You’ll need both the fresh orange juice and zest of the fruit.
- Substitutions: Feel free to swap in your favorite citrus fruit here. You can use classic lemons, regular oranges, tangerines, mandarins, pomelos, tangelos, key limes, or even grapefruit.
- Bourbon Vanilla Bean – Contrary to what you might think, these rich and flavorful beans aren’t alcoholic in any way. They are actually harvested and cured on Ile de Bourbon, a French colony in Madagascar that is world-renowned for vanilla production.
- Substitutions: You are welcome to use about a tablespoon of vanilla paste in place of the true vanilla bean. You can also use an equal amount of vanilla extract or vanilla powder, but you’ll miss out on the gorgeous black flecks. You can also swap in ½ tablespoon of ground vanilla instead.
- Confectioner’s Sugar – Also known as “icing sugar” or “powdered sugar,” this is an essential ingredient in creating the perfect shortbread consistency.
- Substitution: If you’re fresh out, feel free to make your own confectioner’s sugar with plain white sugar and cornstarch.
- All-Purpose Flour – Plain white flour is all you need to make the tastiest shortbread base for these blood orange juice bars.
- Substitutions: You’re welcome to trade in cake flour or your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead.
- Kosher Salt – For something to balance out all the sweetness.
- Substitution: If you’re using another variety, please refer to this salt conversion chart for proper measurement.
Variations: dessert bars
While I think this blood orange recipe has all the simplicity and elegance of a box of Harry & David lemon bars, there is always room for you to customize any recipe to fit your needs and preferences. Here are a few variations to consider:
- Gluten-Free – Simply substitute your favorite measure-for-measure GF all-purpose baking blend (e.g. Bob’s Red Mill or Arrowhead Mills).
- Dairy-Free – Use vegan butter to make this recipe work for your lac-tarded friends.
- Diabetic-Friendly – Swap in your favorite sugar substitute (e.g. Swerve, Lakanto) to lighten the sugar load.
- Different Citrus – As I mentioned above, you can make these bars with lemons, regular oranges, tangerines, mandarins, pomelos, tangelos, key limes, or even grapefruit. You can also mix and match to your heart’s content — orange lemon bars or mandarin lime bars? YUM! Just note that if you use a more tart option, you may want to bump up the sugar in the curd to compensate.
- Budget Version – Swap out the specialty blood oranges for regular navel oranges (or any other cheaper citrus) and use vanilla powder or extract in place of the vanilla bean.
How to make blood orange dream bars
These dreamy orange squares are straightforward to prepare. Here’s what you’ll do:
- Make the orange curd: Add sugar and eggs to a small saucepan and whisk until smooth. Then, stir in the orange zest and orange juice. Place the pan over medium heat on the stove and cook until the mixture is thick and resembles pudding, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Add the cubed butter to the curd mixture in batches, stirring between each addition until smooth. Cover the homemade curd and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
- Make shortbread crust: In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugars until combined. Add in the flour and kosher salt. Then, beat on low to incorporate. Transfer shortbread dough to a parchment-lined baking pan. Use your hands to press the crust into the bottom of the pan.
- Blind bake crust: Transfer the blood orange dessert crust to a 325-degree oven and bake until lightly golden, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Add orange curd to crust: Once the crust is cool, carefully pour the orange curd into the crust.
- Bake again: Transfer the orange dessert to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly.
- Cool completely: Remove the pan from the oven and transfer to a wire cooling rack. Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature. Once cool, cover the pan of orange squares and transfer to the refrigerator. Let chill until completely firm.
- Slice and serve: Use a sharp knife to cut the pan of orange dessert into squares, bars, or thin slices. Dust with powdered sugar (confectioner sugar) and enjoy!
Expert tips for the best blood orange dessert
- Food coloring: While entirely optional, I typically 3 drops of pink food coloring to slightly enhance color. You can add more for a more vibrant color, or none depending on preference.
- Silky smooth curd: You can strain the orange curd through a fine mesh strainer for a smoother consistency. I did not do this.
- Zesting oranges: Make sure to only zest the brightly colored part of the rind, as the white pith is very bitter.
FAQs: baking with oranges
Are blood oranges injected with dye?
NOPE! That ruby-red hue comes from a class of compounds known as anthocyanins (also responsible for making purple cabbage, brightly colored berries, or red grapes).
Do blood oranges have actual blood in them?
Ew, gross! NO! Not unless you accidentally cut yourself while you’re slicing them.
What two fruits make a blood orange?
Blood oranges originate from Sicily, Italy, where pomelos and tangerines were naturally cross-bred in the 1600s.
Serving this blood orange recipe
Since blood oranges are in season from December – April, I think these tasty orange bars are the perfect thing to make for Christmas cookie platters, Valentine’s Day, or Easter. They’re also a lovely treat for bake sales, afternoon teas, or just because.
Also, this blood orange dessert pairs beautifully with friends and loved ones and a mug of herbal tea.
Storing orange squares
- Blood orange curd can be made up to 5 days in advance of making the bars.
- Leftover baked blood orange bars will keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
- I do not recommend storing your blood orange dream bars in the freezer.
Alright, my darling readers. Orange you glad I shared this delicious blood orange dessert recipe with you? I hope you squeeze the day and make a big ol’ batch. If you do, you’re sure to peel the show!
Cheyanne
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More delicious dessert recipes with fruit!
The Best Blood Orange Bars Recipe 👇
Blood Orange Bars Recipe
Equipment
- 1 2-Quart Saucepan
- 1 8x8-inch Baking Pan
Ingredients
For the Orange Curd
- 6 TBS Unsalted Butter – cubed and chilled
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 3 large Eggs
- 2 whole Blood Oranges – zest and juice (about ½ Cup of juice)
- 1 whole Bourbon Vanilla Bean OR Regular Vanilla Bean – split and seeded
For the Shortbread Crust
- 1 ½ Sticks Unsalted Butter – softened (12 TBS)
- 2 ½ TBS Granulated Sugar
- 2 ½ TBS Confectioner’s Sugar – plus more for dusting
- 1 1/3 Cup All Purpose Flour
- ¼ tsp Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Make the Blood Orange Curd: Add the butter and sugar to a 1 ½ to 2-quart saucepan. Whisk well until the mixture is smooth and combined. Add in the orange zest and orange juice. Whisk to combine. Place the saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 12-15 minutes. (Tip: The curd mixture should be similar in consistency to thin pudding). Remove from heat and add vanilla, then butter: Remove the orange curd from the heat. Add the vanilla bean seeds and stir until combined. Then, add the butter to the saucepan in batches, working with a few cubes at a time and stirring the curd until smooth in between each addition. Chill: Transfer the orange curd to a bowl or airtight storage container, cover with plastic wrap and or the lid. Place in the fridge and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Preheat an oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8x8’-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make the Shortbread Crust: In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl with a hand-held mixer) add the butter and both sugars. Beat on medium-high speed until well creamed and completely combined. Stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as necessary. Add in the flour and salt. Beat on low speed until all the flour is just incorporated and the mixtures JUST comes together. Transfer the shortbread dough to the prepared baking pan. Press the dough into the bottom of the pan to form a crust. (Tip: Spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the dough from sticking to you.)
- Bake crust: Transfer to the oven and bake until the top of the dessert is lightly golden and crust is set, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and place the pan on a wire cooling rack.Cool slightly, then add curd: Let the crust cool slightly, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees. Pour the orange curd over the crust. Bake again: Return the orange dessert to the oven and continue to bake until the edges are set, but the center is still slightly jiggly, about 18-25 minutes.
- Cool completely: Remove the pan from the oven and place on a wire cooling rack. Set aside and let cool completely to room temperature. Once cool, cover with plastic wrap and transfer to refrigerator. Chill until the dessert is completely firm.
- Slice and serve: Cut the orange dessert into squares, bars, or long slices and generously dust with confectioner’s sugar. Enjoy!
Notes
- Food Coloring: I added 3 drops of pink food coloring to slightly enhance color. You can add more or none depending on preference.
- Orange Curd: You can strain the orange curd through a fine mesh strainer for a smoother consistency. I did not do this.
Nutrition
©No Spoon Necessary. All images and content are under copyright protection. Please do not use any images without prior permission. Kindly do not publish this recipe. To reference this dish, please link directly to this post.
Chey, remember – you can always indulge yourself with white chocolate! But honestly, with these luscious blood orange bars, no chocolate needed on a Valentine’s Day! Indeed, what a fabulous recipe. And there’s my prediction. It’s going to be one of the most (if not the most) popular recipes on your blog this year. It has to.
Hold on – you’re allergic to chocolate?!? I suppose at least you have these incredible blood orange bars – loving the specks of vanilla bean in there especially. I am very much in the non-Valentine camp haha- both being single and also because it just seems to be a huge tide of commercialism and fakeness – I mean, if you really love somebody, shouldn’t you be showing your love everyday? Why go over the top on February 14th? Anyway, I really need to get my hands on some blood oranges and give these a go, they look spectacular! xx
These bars look amazing, Cheyanne!! I love that you went against the grain and did something other than chocolate or red velvet. These bars are beautiful and so creative. I can just see how moist and gooey they are…deliciousss!! Also, I am with you on the romantic vacation…I’ll take that over chocolate and flowers anyday! 😉
I feel the same about Valentine’s Day – I enjoy it to an extent, but I’m pretty indifferent about it! Although I do wear (and love) jewelry, my fiancé knows that a gallon of imported olive oil makes my day! Seriously, he bought me that once and I was beyond excited, everyone was like “he got you what?” hahaha. Anywayyyyy, lemon bars are my FAV and I never would have though to do a blood orange bar! I love all things blood orange and these just look like the perfect treat for V-Day! Pinned!
Blood oranges are my favorite and love when they arrive each season. These bars look amazing! J would love for me to make these for him for Valentines Day. BTW, I need to go on vaca too so let’s go to Hawaii together and leave the boys at home. lol!
These look soo yummy! Love your twist on these bars.
These look amazing Cheyenne!! I actually like citrus more than chocolate, so these are right up my alley! Your pictures are gorgeous and those little flacks of vanilla make me want one right now 🙂
Hahah!! I totally can’t keep flowers alive, either. I recently got an orchid as a gift and those are supposed to be the easiest but…I killed it. Love the flavours in here and you know I love anything with bourbon!!
I had no idea you were allergic to chocolate! That is horrible :/ BUT with these blood orange bars you probably don’t even miss it! Holy WOW! These babies are beautiful, and no doubt I could eat them all. Just give me a pan of these and a bottle of wine on Valentine’s Day and I’ll be good. 😉 Pinning these!
Wow, these look and sound amazing. I love blood oranges, custard, vanilla bean and buttery shortbread so this is a definite winner for Valentines Day or anytime. My husband and I are over the Valentines hype, I’ll make a special dinner/dessert but thats about it. I hear you on the allergy front, my allergy is onion and I miss them like crazy, especially when someone orders onion rings. Cool giveaway! Take care.
Everything about these bars, from their color to their texture, looks amazing!
Not only do these bars look amazing, but it just sounds awesome to say “blood orange curd”. This is definitely a bar I wouldn’t mind eating on Valentine’s Day or any other day. I’m a sucker for shortbread!
I so…identify with you about Valentine’s day. And, I constantly tell my husband that I don’t like cut flowers because they just die and it’s so, so sad. But, Valentine’s day could be a good excuse to make these delicious bars. Clever adaptation.
Blood orange is my new favorite ingredient! And these bars look magical.
I love your little messages in there to your husband! I try to do the same thing in case he happens to read it. You never know what will happen! I’m sure Hawaii would be lovely this time of the year 😉
I didn’t know you are allergic to chocolate?! I honestly feel myself favoring citrus over chocolate more and more anyway — maybe it’s because my palate is so much more mature now! LOl. Riiiiight. I do LOVE anything citrus though and I would take a big plate of these for Valentine’s Day!
I just made some blood orange bars yesterday!! Great minds think alike. Although, yours are much more gourmet than mine. Love that you included bourbon!!
You and I are on the same wavelength (as usual!) – I just made bourbon brownies!! I love Valentine’s Day, mainly because it is my romantic Southern husband’s favorite holiday. We are taking a long weekend down in Philly – I can’t wait! Meantime I am pinning this deliciousness because I know he will love them. Cheers my dear!
So here are two other things we have in common—other than one small pair of diamond studs, I rarely wear jewelry—not even my wedding ring. I love flowers but don’t really care to receive them as gifts because they can cost a lot and die too quickly. How funny is that? As for Valentines’s day, the hubs and I feel the same as you about it. I’m loving your blood orange twist on lemon bars! I just want to sink my teeth into that luscious silky, creamy, tart, sweet, slightly sour curd layer! My mouth automatically started watering as soon as I read your description. And adding BOURBON vanilla beans is such a great idea! Thanks for doing the giveaway! Im going to give it a try. Wish me luck!
Hey girl, how are you? My memories of Cupid’s Day growing up revolve around sitting at the kitchen table with my brothers and sisters making valentines for each other, construction paper and doilies, to be presented at the dinner table with dessert. Which was always a cherry almond cake that my mom made. Heart shaped of course. The memorable time was when my brother was in a fight with everyone and instead of saying I love you on them, he said the opposite. There, I said it. Kind of funny in hindsight. So on to “sweeter” things. Ahem. Anything with vanilla beans is tops on my list, and such a delicious combo with blood orange too. These bars rock. I didn’t know you were allergic to chocolate. That, is not fair, sorry you have to endure that. Cheers my dear, to these decadent bars and true love, not commercialism! XOXO
Your Valentines day growing up sounds wonderful (minus the fighting), and that cake sounds delish! You should share that on your blog!! I know you love vanilla beans because of your wonderful homemade extract! 🙂 Thank you so much for the sweet comment, doll.
P.S. YES being allergic to cocoa does suck.
Cheers, my dear! XO
I love blood oranges! This is so creative! Love the idea! These bars are a must try, perfect for Valentine’s day! I need to finally make some desserts!
Thank you so much, Mira! Blood oranges rock, right? Hope if you make desserts you post them (so I can drool)!! Cheers, girlfriend! 🙂
Absolutely perfect. Love the orange flavour (and colour!) and those little flecks of vanilla are so pretty. And of course, the booze 😉
Thank you so much, Jennifer! Booze and beans never hurt anybody! 😉 Cheers, friend!
These are gorgeous bars, Cheyanne! I love the vanilla bean specks. I tried making blood orange bars today and failed miserably – I swear, I’m cursed. Whenever I try lemon bars or anything similar, all goes to hell and the crust usually ends up on top. So weird! Yours are MUCH more beautiful! Haha! I should try your recipe 🙂 those blood oranges are too gorgeous!
Thank you, Rachel! I’m so sorry your bars failed! I hate kitchen fails, although they happen to the best of us! I wonder why your crust ends up on top… do you par cook the crust first? Hmm.. I’m no expert, sooo. 😉 Anyways, thanks for the love, doll! Cheers!
Oh wow, Cheyanne! These are the most beautiful bars! I bet they taste as amazing as they look, too! You can’t go wrong with Hawaii or these bars. Cheers to having both! 😀
Thanks Lauren! Hawaii is wishful thinking… but doesn’t hurt, right? 😉 Cheers, doll! xo
i love lemon bars and and your blood orange twist sounds divine. i usually fall into the chocolate camp for valentine’s day but you have inspired me to mix it up! i can’t wait for your Valentine’s Day drink! That’s how I like to celebrate!
My husband falls into the chocolate camp, so no judgement here! Thanks for the comment, Cathy! And YES to V-day drinks, that’s how I roll too! 😉 Cheers!
I’m pretty indifferent on Valentine’s day, too…I feel like I get set up for disappointment 😉 These bars look TOO GOOD! Love that you adapted the lemon bar so creatively 🙂
SO true, Denise! I should just buy myself a little something for Valentines day. lol. Thank for the sweet comment, dear! Cheers! 😉
Oh my word these bars! They sound amazing. Heavenly. I want one!!!
I’m pretty indifferent on valentine’s day – it’s pretty much like any other day except maybe the husband cooks instead of me 🙂 haha
Thank you, Ashley! Glad we are in the same indifferent boat! I need to talk the husband into cooking – so thanks for that idea! lol. Cheers, girlie! 🙂
Wow, these look so good! I adore lemon curd and the blood orange just has my mouth watering! I love this sophisticated twist on one of my favorite desserts!
Thank you so much, Ramona!! Cheers! 🙂
I’m indifferent too! I love the idea of V day, but I never do anything super special. A lemon bar using blood orange is genius – totally in love with these! 🙂
Thank you, Megan! For some reason your comment came through twice. So thank you – twice! 😉
These bars are stunning, Cheyanne! Citrus desserts are my favorite so I love that you shared these instead. The addition of bourbon and vanilla sound sensational!
I love citrus desserts too, Kelly! (or is that obvious?) Thank you so much for the sweet comment, my dear! Cheers!
Perfect treat for the non-chocolate lover in the family Cheyanne! Those little specks of vanilla just look wonderful! Anything blood orange this time of year brings a smile to my face!! And these sound perfect! LOVE the shortbread crust!
Thank you so much, Mary Ann! I love specks of vanilla bean – so pretty! Cheers, friend!
Ok, first of all – blood oranges are one of my favorite fruits! I had them for the fist time in Sicily and was hooked instantly! So not only do I love their flavor, but they always bring such wonderful memories! And second, holy cr*p, Cheyanne – these look moist! I love the added bourbon and vanilla. You’re really living up to the homestead namesake 🙂
Aren’t blood oranges amazing?! Their season is too short! I have always wanted to go to Sicily- SO JEALOUS! Thanks so much for the comment doll! I’m totally trying to live up to the house name! 😉 Cheers, sweets! <3
Oh my goodness, these are gorgeous! And I’m so excited that you made a dessert. Trust you to do a total showstopper when you get the chance! Love this. I’m all for the romantic vacation, so make the Boy do that!
Well thank you so much, Mir! You are entirely too sweet! I am telling Boy you said he MUST take me on a vacay. 😉 Cheers doll!
Oh And thanks so much for this amazing giveaway!
Good luck!! 😉
I think V-day is rather commercialized, myself – though when my daughter was younger we used to go all out! Now all she wants is to hit the stores the day after Valentine’s to score some chocolate deals! I dunno who she gets it from!?!?! 🙂
BTW, Cheyanne these bars sound delectable – that blood orange custard is so creamy – the perfect pairing with that base!
If we had children I’d probably feel different about V-day. Your daughter sounds like she has the right idea about scoring after holiday chocolate deals! She TOTALLY gets it from her mama! 😉 Thanks so much for the sweet comment, my dear! Cheers! <3
I’m indifferent too! I love the idea of V day, but I never do anything super special. A lemon bar using blood orange is genius – totally in love with these 🙂
The idea of Valentines day is nice, isn’t it? Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Megan! Cheers, friend! 🙂
I usually get a ton of blood oranges from a friend’s tree every year! Can’t wait to try these! I love the combo with the vanilla!
Okay, I need a friend like yours! 😉 Thanks so much for the comment, Jess! Cheers!
These bars looks amazing girlfriend. I am so glad you chose this..;). Love everything about it.
Pinning for sure.
I am quite with you about Vday. Definitely it’s commercialized a bit more. We don’t need just one day to give flowers or be nice. In fact I am a bit of a rebel/snob when these things are concerned.
That said, I don’t mind food any time, desserts any day.
Btw, I just added your jack daniels to the horsdevours feed.
Have a wonderful week my dear.
I’m with you on celebrating loved ones daily, and not just on one day… and it’s quite annoying how commercialized holidays are. BUT, I totally don’t mind food or desserts any day, especially if Boy wants to cook on Valentines day. 😉
Thank you so much for the sweet comment and pin, Asha!
P.S. SO honored to be included in the Feed Feed!! Cheers doll! <3
Soooo good, Cheyanne – love that you’re mixing up valentine’s day and doing something a little bit different. I’m about to get my fruit of the month gift from Harry and David – and this month is citrus – so will be whipping up a batch of these beauties!
Thank you so much, Geraldine! A Harry and David fruit of the month sounds amazing… I need to sign up for that!! If you get a good fruit and make these with it I’d love to hear how it goes! Cheers, friend! 🙂
You had me at blood oranges but then the whole bourbon and vanilla bean just sealed the deal. I need to make these!! Pinning for later. I don’t care either way for Vday but I love the idea of celebrating loved ones. To be honest every holiday in America is commercialized. Whether it’s Christmas, Halloween, Mothers Day or Super Bowl, it’s all about money and shoving things in people’s faces. But we all feel differently about the holidays based on our personal celebrations or beliefs.
I see that we are blood orange twinning this week!! #GreatMinds!! Thanks so much for the sweet comment and pin, Zainab!
P.S. I couldn’t agree more about all holidays being commercialized! 😉 Sad but true.
WOAH! Yes, I meant that in all caps as in I literally said that out loud as I saw this in Feedly – still on email, but we will see with your next post ;).
Love seeing all those lovely vanilla bean seeds laced in that luscious blood orange custard. Pinned and definitely going to make this one for Game Day, thanks buddy.
P.S. V-Day isn’t that of a biggie over here either and for just about all of the same reasons you noted. Besides we love to travel like you mentioned and are hitting up India for our 35th next month. Can’t wait to explore and celebrate the Holi Festival of Colors.
#BodaciouslyButtery
Lol, Thank you so much for the kind comment and pin, Kevin! I am SUPER jealous of your upcoming trip! Hope you share pics on social media so I can be green with envy! 35 years is a long time!! Happy early anniversary! Cheers, buddy! 😉
I have never baked with blood oranges, but thats need to change now. These bars look super moist and delish. Love that ooey gooey top!
You should definitely bake with blood oranges, Anu – SO GOOD! Thanks for the comment love! Cheers!
Love citrusy desserts…sweet and tangy..a fantastic combo!
Me too! Thanks so much for the comment, Angie!! Cheers!
These bars are gorgeous, Cheyanne! Love blood oranges! I’d take these bars over chocolate or red velvet any day! 🙂
Thank you so much, Jess! Obviously I’d take these over chocolate too. 😉 Cheers!
I love that you are going against the norms of Valentine’s Day!! Unfortunately I really don’t like this ‘holiday’ mostly because I’ve never had the chance to participate in it due to my not so good luck with relationships – BUT it does remind me that YOU are the longest relationship you will ever have and are currently in so maybe I should celebrate my relationship with me haha. And these bars definitely sound like a wonderful way to treat myself!! I love seeing those flecks of vanilla in there! YuM!!
So glad you like that i’m going against the norms of Vday! You aren’t bad at relationships, Linda – you just haven’t met the right person yet!! 😉 And so true, loving yourself is the most important thing! Thanks for the comment, my dear! Cheers!
I just bought some fresh blood oranges yesterday and these bars look incredible! I love the addition of bourbon and vanilla. I’ll be dreaming about these bars all day!
Yay to fresh blood oranges! Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Ashley! Cheers!
Wow these look incredible Cheyanne! The blood orange curd sounds so amazing!!! I love the addition of bourbon vanilla too, it’s my favourite – I am obsessed with vanilla! <3 These are so perfect for valentines day 🙂
Thank you so much, Harriet! I was definitely eating the curd plain… so I had to make more! 😉 Cheers, sweets! <3
I love baked goodies with citrus! The blood oranges are gorgeous! These bars look amazing – a perfect dessert for Valentine’s day!
Baked goodies with citrus are the best, right?! Thanks so much for the comment, Melanie! Cheers!
I’m a bit of a romantic at heart – so yeah, I think it’s a sweet day. But I don’t need the candy or the flowers – a nice meal, a bottle of wine, a funny card and these bars – I’ll be good to go! My mouth is watering just thinkin’ about them in all their blood-orange-y goodness! Great minds think alike…I have a bar recipe for later in the week! Thanks for sharing this divine recipe, my dear! Cheers!
What you like for Vday sounds PERFECT to me! Thank so much for the comment love, Annie! I’m looking forward to your bar recipe!!! Cheers, mi-lady! <3
People are always so mixed about Valentine’s Day, but I think that any excuse to show each other that you love each other should be embrace. Plus, it’s an excuse for more chocolate.
My husband would love it if I served these up after dinner.
So true, Dannii… but I think we should show the people we love that we love them daily – not just on one day. 😉 Thanks for the comment love, my dear! Cheers!
I’m also kinda ‘eh’ on Valentine’s Day – always have been. It’s a bit more fun now with the kiddos, who are very into it! I’m not very crafty, but I can cut out some construction paper hearts and slap on a few stickers. They’re impressed, so hey 😉
However, I also love all the fun food – more treats, fancy meals – that come with the holiday and these blood orange bars look amazing! That buttery crust! That bright citrus flavor! Hubs and I both adore blood oranges so these are going to work very well for our little celebration. Particularly because they have bourbon. You put bourbon in it, and I’m so there!
As for free money, who couldn’t use some of that! I live on Amazon these days (thank you, I will take delivery straight to my door step) and mama could use some new fun kitchen things, a few books, maybe a fun bag? OK, OK, maybe a couple of goodies for the kids, too. 😉 Possibilities are endless!
Cheers girl!
If we had kids I think I would be more into Valentines Day… although I’m not crafty either! But I can try! 😉 Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Kathryn! Fingers are crossed you win the gift card!! Cheers, my dear! <3
I keep buying blood oranges to try to bake something with them and Chris keeps eating them! These bars are a perfect use of such an interesting seasonal fruit. Valentine’s Day isn’t a huge deal to us, but we usually just go to our favorite family owned small Ethiopian restaurant or make something at home because we never plan far enough in advance to make reservations. I’d totally be down with a trip to Hawaii though! P.S. I soak vanilla beans in bourbon when I make my signature Vanilla Bean Bourbon Oak Porter, but I’ve never thought to use it in food! 🙂
You need to lock those dang blood oranges up, Rachelle. Going to an Ethiiopian restaurant for Vday sounds like fun! Too bad we don’t live close enough to crash your party! 😉 Soaking vanilla beans in bourbon sounds awesome… the ones I used were store bought, but you can bet I’m about to get my bean and bourbon soaking on! And send me some of that porter! STAT! Cheers, doll! xo
I need to go on a hunt for blood oranges this weekend!! These look delicious and I love the little vanilla bean specks in them!
Thank you so much Sues! Good luck in your hunt, may the blood orange force be with you! 😉 Cheers!
These blood orange bars look amazing! Seriously!!
And “ditto” to taking me on a romantic vacation. That would be the ultimate Vday present… 🙂
ps. you´re allergic to chocolate..?? NO!!!!!!
Thank you so much, Johlene! I doubt I will get a vacay, so I’m still going to live vicariously through you!! 😉 And yes, I know my allergy suuuuucks! 🙁 Guess I will have to eat chocolate vicariously through you as well. Ha! Cheers, girl.
Gosh I love lemon bars so I’m certain these blood orange bars would be delicious too! I’m not certain how easy it would be to find blood oranges here….I will have to look!
Yay to lemon bar love! If I can find blood oranges out here, I am hoping you can find some Kathy, because they are SOOO good! Love citrus season! Thanks for the comment! Cheers!
I’m pretty much indifferent about Valentine’s Day, too! My husband and I celebrate by ordering a heart-shaped pizza every year, our special tradition! But that’s about all we do…I’m not big on the candy and cards, although I do love everything pink and red this time of year! 🙂 I would gladly devour these bars, though. Love that you made them with blood oranges! I’m not actually a fan of lemon desserts (shocking, right?) so this sounds perfect! Pinned!
A heart shaped Pizza sounds like a fabulous tradition, Gayle! I wonder if any place around here does that? Have to check that out!! I had no clue you don’t like lemon desserts! Send me all of yours! 😉 Thanks for the comment love and pin, friend! Cheers!
I’m leaving another comment b/c I am entering the giveaway!!! Not sure what I would do with the $1,000 but I would most certainly be buying gifts and probably more things for my kitchen!
Hope you win, Alice!! *fingers crossed*
Cheyanne,
I’m the same way with Valentine’s Day but if you guys ever have kids, it might become a more exciting holiday for you. . for them, we get to make valentine’s day cards for their classmates and treats .. so they love it . . and seeing them get excited makes me excited. 🙂 I LOVE these blood orange bars!!! and I don’t know if I’ve ever used a Bourbon Vanilla Bean!!! Need to find that! I bet the flavor is amazing!
I’m sure if we had children I would feel differently, Alice! All the cute little cards and baking would be fun! I used to LOVE that when I was little!! You need to find Bourbon Vanilla Beans– if I can find them out here in the boonies, I know you can find them! Thanks for the comment, my dear! Cheers! <3
These don’t look like your average kind of bars. Nope, they look so much better! What an awesome flavour combination. Blood orange is such an intriguing fruit, and most definitely underrated! Such a gorgeous colour, and I love that you can see the little bits of vanilla bean all throughout, Cheyanne!
Thank you so much, Lisa! Blood Orange is definitely underrated, and when it’s in season I can’t stop myself from eating them by the basket full! Cheers, friend!
These bars look absolutely scrumptious! I love the flavours going on here! YUM!
Thanks so much, Marsha! Cheers! 🙂
This post reminds me that I’ve been meaning to make some lemon/orange bars again for a long time now. Your recipe sounds great and I can just imagine the taste. And I will be ignoring Valentine on my blog (maybe with one tiny exception, I’ll see). Even though I don’t find it bad to have an extra day to purposely celebrate love, I also think that the whole Valentine moment is kind of ruined due to extrem commercialization.
I forget about Lemon Bars too, until I make them… and then I get on a kick and make them multiple times! 😉 No judgement here for ignoring Valentine’s Day – Do you, girl! Thanks so much for the comment, Adina! Cheers!