Orange Brownies

I am a born and bred southern girl living in Utah...LOL!!

I love all things southern! Grits, cornbread, fried chicken, hoe cake, magnolias, dressing ....we don't call it stuffing and the recipe is much different, and PAULA DEEN!! Yes, I love Paula Deen. I love the way she talks, the way she cooks, the way she has a hug and a kiss for everyone she meets....she is the epitome of a Southern Gal!

These days I don't make much fried chicken or corn bread because the older I get the more those things stick to my ribs hips! But my sweet tooth teeth will always be a part of my Southern heritage. And what is better than a pan of brownies...maybe 2 pans...LOL

Are you looking for something fresh and different for Easter dessert this year? Well, you just found it. You make them with an orange cream cheese frosting like the ones shown above, or just a lite glaze like the ones shown below. Either way you are going to love them!!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

4 eggs

2 teaspoons pure orange extract

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Glaze:

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan and set aside. In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, and salt. Add butter, eggs, orange extract, and orange zest and beat with a handheld electric mixer until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until light golden brown and set. Remove from oven and pierce top of entire cake with a fork.

Glaze

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, stirring until smooth. Pour glaze over cake. Cool cake and cut into squares.

If you would prefer the cream cheese frosting the recipe is below.

Cream Cheese Frosting:


1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

4 tablespoons softened butter

1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons orange zest

2 tablespoons orange juice

In a large mixing bowl, whip the butter and cream cheese together with a hand-held electric mixer. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until it is all combined and smooth. Beat in the orange zest and juice. Spread over brownies.

Family and friends will want you to bring these to every party and family get together!!

I will be linking up with:
 Dittle Dattle 
 AtThe Picket Fence
 Christina's Adventures 
Little Brick Ranch
Jam Hands
All Thingz Related
Debbie Doos
Blessed With Grace