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    Home > Dessert > Old Fashioned Orange Slice Bars Recipe

    Old Fashioned Orange Slice Bars Recipe

    Published: Feb 25, 2021 by Lea Ann Brown · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Orange slice dessert bar recipe

    Adding pieces of cut up orange slice candy to snack bars is a delicious treat. This is a recipe for old fashioned Orange Slice Bars. If you’re a fan of orange slice candy, you’re going to go crazy over these chewy dessert bars. They’re over the top kid friendly and popular for any age.

    Snack bars made with orange slice candy served on a white plate with milk and blue depression glasses

    About This Recipe and Why It Works

    When’s the last time you had some of those sugary gooey orange slice jelly candy???

    I used to love those things as a kid. So no wonder I would love these orange slice bars.

    Orange slices are chopped and then soaked in water before mixing with the dough and baking. 

    The dough isn’t too sweet which compliments the bright taste of the orange slice candy.

    The end result is chewy cake like bar that has a crunch of pecan. Dusted with powdered sugar and everyone you make these for will flip.

    History of Orange Slice Bars

    My mom has had this recipe for as long as I can remember. Notes indicate the recipe came from our neighbor who lived about a mile from us. They made an appearance at every church supper pot luck plus my mom made them often.

    My memory tells me that the recipe came from the manufacturer of this candy.

    With all that said, these Orange Slice Bars recipe is a crowd pleaser.

    Easy Way To Cut Up Orange Slice Candy

    The hardest thing about this recipe is chopping up those packaged orange slice candies.  Even the sharpest of knives doesn’t work well against that thick gooey sugary candy.

    I find that if you place the candy in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes. They’re easier to chop. Use a knife or a good pair of kitchen shears to cut the candy into eight pieces. Dipping the shears or knife in cold water helps with the process.

    How To Make This Recipe

    Mise en place. Always gather ingredients before starting any recipe. It will save you time and organize your mind.

    • Large Eggs
    • Flour
    • Sugar
    • Vanilla
    • Unsalted Butter
    • Orange Slice Candy
    • Pecans
    • Baking Powder
    • Salt
    • Cutting orange slice candy into pieces
      Step 1
    • soaking orange slice candy pieces in water
      Step 2
    • Step 1: Freeze whole orange slice candy for 20 – 30 minutes. With a very sharp knife, cut the candy into eights.
    • Step 2: Place the pieces of candy in a bowl and pour 6 tablespoons of boiling water over the candy. Let it stand for at least 2 hours and even overnight if you’re not in a hurry.
    • Using a chef knife to chop pecans
      Step 3
    • Batter for orange slice bars
      Step 4
    • Making orange slice bars in a kitchen aid mixer
      Step 5
    •  Step 3: Chop the pecans. I like using my chef’s knife.
    • Step 4: Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar; add eggs and blend well.
    • Step 5: Mix together dry ingredients and add to egg mixture. Using the paddle attachment, gently mix together and then add orange candy and pecans.

    Spread the batter into greased and floured 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 inch jelly roll pan. Bake 34 – 40 minutes at 325 degrees.

    While the bars are still warm, sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar. Let the bars cool completely before slicing.

    Recipe for Orange Slice Bars

    3 orange dessert bars stacked. With a blue glass benind.

    I hope you give this recipe a try, and if you do, please come back and give it a star rating. And leave a comment about your experience with the recipe.

    And if you have any favorite recipes using orange slice candy or for dessert bar recipes, let me know, I’d love to give it a try.

    Related Recipes

    • Churros Cheesecake Bars
    • Orange Chocolate Brownies
    • Almond Chambord Raspberry Bars

    And if you’re looking for even more dessert recipes, don’t miss my Dessert Category. You’ll find lots of mouthwatering recipes including the most popular dessert recipe on my site for No Bake Key Lime Pie.

    A stack of orange slice bars with orange slice candy

    Orange Slice Bars Recipe

    If you’re a fan of orange slice candies, you’re going to go crazy over these chewy bars
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 480kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound orange slice jelly candies
    • 6 Tablespoons boiling water
    • 1/2 cup butter
    • 2 1/4 cups sugar
    • 4 whole eggs
    • 2 1/2 cups flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1/2 cup pecans chopped
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Cut orange slice candies into eights;  pour boiling water over candy slices and let stand 2 hours or overnight.  
    • Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar until it seems fluffy. Add eggs and mix on low until blended.
    • Sift dry ingredients together; add to creamed mixture. Add orange slices and pecans and gently mix until well blended. Batter will be thick.
    • Using a spatula, put into greased and floured 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 inch jelly roll pan. 
    • Bake for 35-40 minutes at 325 degrees or until done. Sprinkle with powdered sugar while warm. Let the bars completely cook before cutting into squares.

    Notes

    The hardest thing about this recipe is chopping up those packaged orange slice candies.  Even the sharpest of knives doesn’t work well against that thick gooey sugary candy.
    I find that if you place the candy in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes. They’re easier to chop. Use a knife or a good pair of kitchen shears to cut the candy into eight pieces.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 89g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 68g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1.7mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lannisam or tag #CookingOnTheRanch!

    Old Fashioned Orange Slice Bars … They’re what’s for dessert.

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    • Homemade banana ice cream in waffle cones.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rebecca says

      December 11, 2009 at 10:34 pm

      love those orange slices have fun cooking your mums recipes

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 11, 2009 at 11:17 pm

        You know I will, thanks for stopping by Rebecca

        Reply
    2. burpexcuzme says

      December 10, 2009 at 6:31 am

      Haha, how creative and delightful is that? I love chewy gummies…and baked into a cookie bar? Splendid! Orange I glad I stumbled onto this post!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 10, 2009 at 2:36 pm

        As always, thanks for stopping by. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Chris says

      December 09, 2009 at 10:19 pm

      I could never make this because I’d never get past eating the orange slices straight of the bag. That would be like trying to make something out of chocolate covered cherries.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 09, 2009 at 11:21 pm

        I hear ya Chris. My husband kept sneaking orange slices. I’m actually a Dot fan…a Dotaholic you might say. If these were Dot Bars, I’d be in trouble.

        As always, thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    4. Linda says

      December 09, 2009 at 5:21 am

      Sounds really tasty… I’ve never had them… I’ll have to try them

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 09, 2009 at 2:14 pm

        They are tasty. Thanks Linda

        Reply
    5. Karen says

      December 08, 2009 at 8:27 pm

      I have nothing clever to say using the word orange. I’ll leave the humor to the experts 😉 These look yum! How do you think these would hold up if packaged in boxes a bit in advance for christmas gifts? I’m looking for ideas here.

      And I’m being a good girl and remembering to subscribe to the comments this time!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 10:34 pm

        I just came home with a sack full of food gift containers from The Container Store. Do you have a Container Store? Really cute stuff and a fairly decent price. I did cut some of those Orange bars in squares and plan to fill a couple of containers and freeze until Christmas. Yes, they are solid enough not to goo all over a container. This recipe does freeze well by the way. I also have some cellophane type paper to line the gift boxes= CUTE. I’m also going to make some fudge and a recipe called Boston Crème. I love giving food gifts and also receiving them.

        Reply
    6. Vickie says

      December 09, 2009 at 1:37 am

      I love this post! I almost pmp (pithed my pants) reading all your clever puns! It’s great that you’re making your mom’s recipes and also great that you’re taking her down memory lane. I love traditions. Sounds fun and memorable.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 09, 2009 at 4:19 am

        Thanks Vickie! 🙂

        Reply
        • Patti Moss says

          April 05, 2021 at 3:56 pm

          Lee Ann, I can hardly wait to try your recipe. It sounds delicious! My mom used to make an Orange Slice cake in a bundt pan. Sadly, I never got her recipe, but it was heavenly! Actually, your bars sound similar in that the cake had both pecans and the orange slices in it, and it was always dusted with powdered sugar!

          Sweet memories. Thank you for reminding me.

        • Lea Ann Brown says

          April 08, 2021 at 6:41 am

          Hi Patti. Thanks for sharing your memories about the cake. I’m going to have to look for a recipe, as I’ve had several notes about an orange slice cake recipe.

    7. Joanne says

      December 08, 2009 at 3:24 pm

      Oranges are such a weird fruit to me because I associate citrus with summer and yet they are in season in the winter. Odd. But true.

      I love these gummy candies. I am so much more of a gummy fan than anything else. Those Sour Patch Kids watermelon gummies – my absolute favorite.

      These bars sound delicious. Yay for moms and I can’t wait for that dinner you cooked up!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 10:37 pm

        Hmmm, never had the Sour Patch Kids Watermelons – Sounds like a new gummy in my future. 🙂 I love and am addicted to Dots.

        Reply
    8. Barbara says

      December 08, 2009 at 8:38 pm

      I used to love those orange candies! How clever of your mother to include them in a bar recipe! Can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 10:37 pm

        Thanks for stopping by Barbara!

        Reply
    9. Natashya says

      December 08, 2009 at 1:02 pm

      What a wild bar! I have never had anything like it. Sounds tasty!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 1:07 pm

        Thanks for stopping by Natashya

        Reply
    10. Katherine says

      December 08, 2009 at 2:40 pm

      I’ve been hearing about how ya’ll are get slammed with snow and there’s more to come. in a way i wish i could be home creating delicious holiday treats like you!

      I associate orange with christmas and this is so perfect. You have inspired me!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 09, 2009 at 4:21 am

        Thanks Katherine. 🙂

        Reply
    11. buffalo dick says

      December 08, 2009 at 2:30 pm

      I love jellied candies, but the tart, multi flavored ones that look like a slice of fruit are a personal favorite!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 3:03 pm

        Well, we could switch out high fructose corn syrup orange candies for the high fructose tart multis and call them: Tart Multi-flavored Bars. Such a versatile recipe. LOL and as always thanks for stopping by BD

        Reply
    12. dan says

      December 08, 2009 at 2:27 pm

      Those orange slice thingys. YES!

      That’s so cool that you decided to whip out an orange slice candy recipe.

      Take that, any stuck up sophisticated gourmet bloggers out there!

      (Even though all the people who interact on your blog seem way cool. I just had to throw that out there in case anybody turned their nose up)

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 3:01 pm

        LOL Dan. And LOL about the disclaimer.

        Reply
    13. My Year on the Grill says

      December 08, 2009 at 12:33 pm

      orange you just a little ashamed of your self for bragging about beating up the KC Chiefs this year… Like bragging that Your car beat my bicycle in a road race…

      But wait til next year (and next year, I wont need to write the same thing, just assume in mud December, 2010 I tell you to wait til next year again… saves time and energy)

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 12:47 pm

        LOL Dave, my husband made me take out what I really said about that victory, I did mention you and something about flat out kicking butt. He said I was being mean. Geez. Isn’t that what football rivalry is all about???

        Reply
    14. Zia Liz says

      December 08, 2009 at 4:02 am

      My grandfather was a citrus grower for Sunkist in California, and always had these orange slice candies in their home. I think my grandmother even had a similar recipe she made each year for Christmas. Thank you for this post! It brought back lots of lovely memories.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 12:54 pm

        Very Cool! In that case, I wonder if this recipe came from the back of a Brach’s Orange Slice package??? I tried to Google Brach’s before I posted this and couldn’t come up with anything. This recipe has to be over 30 years old

        Reply
        • Zia Liz says

          December 08, 2009 at 10:14 pm

          Do you know, I wondered later where the recipe might have originated. It’s possible that it came from the candy manufacturer, but hers were always from Sunkist in a big red box. Grandma always called ther bars ‘Lucilles’ because she got the recipe from a friend named Lucille.

        • leaannbrown says

          December 08, 2009 at 11:24 pm

          I like the name Lucilles much better than Orange Slice Bars! How fun to find someone who has had these! They are very tasty.

    15. DebinHawaii says

      December 08, 2009 at 9:11 am

      Mom recipes are always fun! 😉 I have not had an orange jelly slice in ages. I love how creative these are–they look delicious.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 12:48 pm

        I can’t believe they still make them. Each year I’m afraid I won’t be able to find them.

        Reply
    16. Carol says

      December 08, 2009 at 6:21 am

      Orange you going to eat a few slices before cutting them up?

      Would chilling the slices in the freezer make them easier to slice?

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 12:49 pm

        You know I did Carol! This idea of freezing them abit is genius – that’s why they pay you the big bucks!

        Reply
    17. noble pig says

      December 08, 2009 at 5:28 am

      Oh I love Mom recipes. My Mom doesn;t get here until closer to the holiday but she’ll be cooking!!! These look wonderful.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 12:50 pm

        Thanks for stopping by Cathy and you know I can’t wait for more of your mom’s recipes. I’m still drooling over the last posts.

        Reply
    18. Chilebrown says

      December 08, 2009 at 4:29 am

      I loved those orange candies as a kid. I may have to search them out. Can you buy them at the local grocer?

      P.S. I hate the Broncos and John Elway is a (deleted)

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 12:52 pm

        Yes Chilebrown, I find them at Safeway and at Walgreens. As I mentioned in another reply, each year I make them I’m always afraid I won’t be able to find them anymore. AND how on earth can anyone hate our adorable Broncos!!!!! 🙂

        Reply
    19. doggybloggy says

      December 08, 2009 at 1:09 am

      6 tablespoons of boiling water and 1 pound of orange slices? is that like a third of a cup of water? I have a lot of questions.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 2:06 am

        It’s not real orange slices, it’s those orange slice gooey candies. Sold on the candy isle of grocery stores.

        Reply
    20. doggybloggy says

      December 08, 2009 at 1:06 am

      is the orange skinned and peeled of the white stuff? did you use butter or margarine – you list butter but you say ‘cream margarine’ – I want to make these!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        December 08, 2009 at 1:56 am

        I do not use Margarine. Butter only. I forgot to change the original recipe from margarine to butter. Sorry. There is no real orange. It’s the Orange slice candy pieces.

        Reply
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    I'm Lea Ann, Welcome to my Colorado kitchen. I'm a Culinary School Grad with a passion to inspire you to cook as often as you can. Here you'll find Wild West Colorado inspired recipes along some Southwestern and Mexican food favorites. I also share some special recipes from school along pro cooking tips. If you're an adventurous cook looking to spice up your meal plans, you'll find plenty of reliable, approachable, easy to follow recipes.

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