Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars

 

🍊🍦 Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars — A Slice of Summer in Every Bite

Because life’s too short not to eat dessert that tastes like sunshine and childhood summers.

 

These Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars are like a little slice of sunshine you can hold in your hand. Imagine the creamy, dreamy texture of cheesecake meeting the bright, happy zing of fresh orange — all wrapped up in a buttery graham cracker crust that practically melts in your mouth. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you smile before you even take a bite.

They’re the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, with that nostalgic orange-and-vanilla flavor combo that instantly transports you back to childhood summers — but with a grown-up, cheesecake-level upgrade. The best part? They’re no-bake, which means you can whip them up without turning your kitchen into a sauna. Just mix, chill, slice, and watch them disappear.

Whether you’re making them for a backyard BBQ, a baby shower, a holiday dessert table, or just because you deserve something fabulous on a Tuesday, these bars deliver every single time. They’re pretty enough to impress, easy enough for beginners, and versatile enough to dress up or down depending on your mood.

Here’s why you’ll love them:

• No oven required — perfect for warm days or busy schedules.
• Make-ahead friendly — they chill beautifully, so you can prep them in advance.
• Crowd-pleasing flavor — orange + vanilla is a universal win.
• Portable & party-ready — cut into bars for easy serving.

If you’re ready for a dessert that’s as cheerful as it is delicious, let’s grab our mixing bowls and make some magic.

 

 

Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars

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Ingredients

• CRUST:
• 1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers
• 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 stick salted butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• FILLING:
• 3 8-ounce whipped cream cheese
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 c. Cool Whip
• 2 tsp. grated orange zest
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 T. orange extract
• 1 drop each red and yellow food coloring
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions

1. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Combine the graham crackers and granulated sugar in a bowl. Slowly pour in the melted butter and mix well. Transfer to the baking dish. Using a measuring cup, press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan in an even layer. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes. 
2. Beat the cream cheese with a mixer. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the powdered sugar and beat until very smooth, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
3. Add the Cool Whip to the cream cheese mixture.
4. Transfer half of the cheesecake mixture to a separate bowl. Add the orange zest, juice and extract and the food coloring to one bowl. Stir gently until just combined. Add the vanilla extract to the other bowl and stir gently to combine. 
5. Remove the crust from the freezer and add the vanilla cheesecake batter. Top with the orange cheesecake batter and gently smooth into an even layer. Swirl with a toothpick or skewer. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, at least 6 hours or up to overnight. Loosen the cheesecake from the pan and cut into squares.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving — 16 Servings)

• Calories: ~310
• Protein: 3g
• Carbs: 34g
• Fat: 18g
• Sugar: 26g

📊 Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

\*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for the Best Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars

• Use fresh orange juice — bottled juice works, but fresh gives a brighter flavor.
• Chill thoroughly — these bars need time to set for clean slices.
• Don’t skip the zest — it’s where the real citrus punch comes from.
• Whipped cream cheese — makes the filling lighter and fluffier.
• Line your pan — parchment paper “handles” make lifting and slicing a breeze.

🎨 Recipe Variations

• Lemon Twist — swap orange juice/zest for lemon for a lemon creamsicle vibe.
• Berry Burst — swirl in raspberry puree before chilling.
• Chocolate Drizzle — top with melted white or dark chocolate for extra indulgence.
• Tropical Dream — replace orange juice with pineapple juice and add shredded coconut.
• Mini Cheesecakes — press crust into muffin liners and fill for individual servings.

🧒 Kid Tips

• Let kids help crush the graham crackers — zip-top bag + rolling pin = fun.
• Have them stir in the food coloring — they’ll love watching the color appear.
• Cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters for parties.
• Serve with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Buy graham crackers in bulk — crush and freeze for future crusts.
• Cool Whip sales — stock up; it freezes beautifully.
• Oranges — zest before juicing, and freeze zest for later use.
• Cream cheese — watch for sales and buy extra; it keeps well in the fridge.
• Powdered sugar — store in an airtight container to prevent clumps.

📣 Reader’s Challenge: #SliceOfSunshine

I want to see YOUR Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars!

1. Make the recipe.
2. Add your own twist — maybe a swirl, a drizzle, or a fun garnish.
3. Snap a photo and share it with #SliceOfSunshine.
4. Tag me so I can feature your creation in my next dessert roundup.

♻️ Leftover Remix

• Creamsicle Parfait — layer crumbled bars with whipped cream and fruit.
• Milkshake Magic — blend a bar with vanilla ice cream and milk.
• Frozen Treat — freeze bars and enjoy like an ice cream sandwich.
• Dessert Dip — mash leftover bars and serve with vanilla wafers or fruit slices.
• Pie Filling — press into a pie crust and top with whipped cream for a quick pie.

💭 Final Thoughts

These Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars are proof that dessert can be both nostalgic and elegant. They’re easy enough for a Tuesday night treat but pretty enough for a bridal shower or summer party. The combination of creamy vanilla and bright orange is pure joy — and the no-bake factor makes them a stress-free win.

Some desserts are just desserts, and some are little time machines. These bars? They’re a trip straight back to summer afternoons chasing the ice cream truck, orange popsicle in hand, sun on your face. But they’re also grown-up enough to serve on a pretty platter at your next get-together.

They’re the kind of recipe that makes people smile before they even take a bite. The color is cheerful, the flavor is familiar yet fresh, and the texture is pure creamy bliss. They’re easy to make, easy to share, and easy to love.

And here’s the thing — they’re not just for summer. Make them in the dead of winter when you need a little sunshine. Make them for birthdays, baby showers, or “just because” days. Make them your own with fun twists and toppings.

When you do, share them with #SliceOfSunshine so we can all drool together and swap ideas. Because the only thing better than eating dessert is sharing it with people who get just as excited about it as you do.

Here’s to desserts that make us feel like kids again, to recipes that bring joy with every bite, and to the simple magic of orange and vanilla together. 🍊🍦💛

Did you try our Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram! 

 

 

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