These Orange Brownies are a delicious recipe that was originally created by Paula Deen. Orange replaces chocolate in these bars that have a similar texture to brownies.
This Orange Brownies recipe (by Paula Deen) had been recommended to me. I was thinking… ‘ok, must be a nice chocolate brownie with a hint of orange.’ Then I got my hands on the recipe and discovered that it’s more of a cakey orange bar. It’s brownie-like in terms of texture, but it’s just not chocolate. (Kind of like those deceptively titled Butterfinger Brownies that I blogged about a while back).
The base is baked up (no boxed cake mix involved here), and then it’s poked all over with a fork or a skewer or anything of the pointy sort.
An orange-infused sweet glaze is drizzled over the top. It soaks into all of those holes that you created.
Let them set up a bit, and them cut them into delicious bites.
Orange zest and even orange extract are included within. If you like a dessert with a fresh orange flavor, these are excellent.
In true Paula Deen fashion, they contain 2 sticks of butter. But hey, it’s dessert- a once in a while treat. I’ve served these at many parties, and they are always a bit hit. To serve a small crowd, I would suggest making a platter with a few of these on it and a few Butterfinger Brownies too. You might just have people following you home.
If you’re looking for a few more orange sweet treats, I suggest you try my Iced Orange Cookies or these Chocolate Orange Cookies. Orange Cake, Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies, and Orange Pistachio Cookies are also delicious orange dessert recipes!
Paula Deen's Orange Brownies
Recipe Details
Ingredients
BROWNIES:
- 1½ cups all purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure orange extract (or orange oil)
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
GLAZE:
- 1 cup powdered sugar (measure, then sift)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13x9-inch pan with nonstick spray.
PREPARE THE BROWNIES:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar and salt. Add the butter, eggs, orange extract and orange zest and beat with hand mixer until well-blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until light golden brown and set. Remove from oven and pierce the top of entire cake with a skewer or a fork.
PREPARE THE GLAZE:
- Combine all of the glaze ingredients in a bowl, stirring until smooth. Add more juice, if needed to create a pouring consistency. Pour the glaze over the cake. Cool the cake and cut into 24 squares.
Notes
- Do you have to use the orange extract? Yep... if you want the super-orangey flavor that is supposed to come out in these brownies to really show up, you'll need the orange extract. You can pick up a good orange extract that doesn't have that *artificial* flavor at Whole Foods, or you can find orange oil at baking/cooking supply stores.
I made these brownies without orange extract. I used a little more rind and they were excellent! This recipe is a keeper!
I make these as lemon brownies, lemon is my preferred taste. Everyone loved them.
I love this so much. I’ve made it so many times. I got the recipe from my mommy. ❤ I use fresh squeezed orange juice, fresh grated orange zest and add Orange juice concentrate to the battery and the glaze.
These are FANTASTIC!! and I bake a lot. I keep grated orange zest in the freezer and this worked out well. It goes together well, bakes fast and tastes fabulous! WOW. I will make this often. I did use margarine – because I had it. I used lemon extract, because I had it and added additional orange zest to the batter.
My sons, age 35 and 15, absolutely love this dessert. I never use the orange flavoring, I cut a couple, three fresh oranges in half and squeeze the juice into the batter and use the zest from the peels also. It is delicious and nothing artificial is used! Anyone visiting, who has tried it, raves about it! Thank you for an easy go to dessert when fruit is abundant in my household.
This is the second time I have made these this time I only used 1 1/2 cups of sugar. We didn’t miss the extra sugar So next time I’ll try using only 1 cup sugar.in the brownies. ‘This is an easy and delicious dessert!
Do these freeze well?
I would think so…
I was hoping this would have that classic brownie texture, but it tasted like cake. It was a good orange cake, but not what I was looking for.
My family adores these brownies! I do want to let you know that this recipe is featured in Paula Deen’s cookbook, The Lady & Sons Just Desserts, but it is not Paula Deen’s recipe. Robin Wilson created the dessert, and was a finalist in the 39th Pillsbury Bake-Off with her recipe. Robin and her husband visited Paula Deen’s restaurant, and she shared the recipe with Paula Deen. The story is featured in the cookbook.
Thanks!
Made these several times, they are the best!. Orange extract gives them that deep orange flavor. So quick and easy to put together.
What can I replace the orange extract with? It’s not easy to get good orange extract where I am. Can I just add orange juice and if so in what quantity?
I’d probably try adding some orange zest if you don’t have extract…
My Mom made these many yrs ago and thank good I found this recipe as hers was lost! I poke holes in the top like a poke cake and the glaze soaks in. I also add grated orange to the glaze. Enjoy!
These are so delicious
i think the sugar was to much,put half a cup less sugar in recipe
I have been making these a few years and never use extract.You can get great fresher orange flavor with few tsp of frozen orange juice concentrate.
Good tip- thanks!
The brownies turned out great! I changed up the recipe a little bc I didn’t have powdered sugar.. I just so happened to have orange creamsicle popsicles in the freezer so I melted 4 of them on low heat and used that as my glaze and they were yummy.
That’s pretty creative! Glad it worked out!
This isan awesome recipe. Whenever my friends have a party, they ask me to make them!
is this the same recipe as the one on the show yesterday with the orange cream cheese frosting?
Not sure- I didn’t see the show!
These have been made by a family member and from what I have heard is that they are a big hit when she took them to a gathering. So, I have a gathering to go to myself and normally my friend’s will just about eat anything I make…these sound yummy enough for me to take for Dessert there. I think I will kick it up a notch and add drained crushed pineapple to mine just cause I love orange & pineapple together, I know these will be Delish…Can’t wait to make these!
Oh yum yum yum!! I am a huge fan of orange.
These have no leavening agent to make them rise. Are you sure it’s all-purpose flour you use???
Yes, no leavening agent is needed in this recipe 🙂
I have made these several times and they are always a huge hit! The original recipe I have includes 1 tsp. of orange zest in the glaze, too. It adds a nice texture and flavor.
excellent recipe! fast, easy & delicious.
I was concerned b/c the batter was very thick.
i added orange juice to thin it out some.
absolutely, delicious, moist and marvelous.
can’t wait to share recipe with family!
Sonna