Orange Nut Bars
Bursting with orange zest, molasses sweetness, and crunchy nuts, these bars are a festive, hearty treat perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy breakfast.
Ingredients
- 3 cans (6 oz.) frozen orange juice concentrate ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups candied mixed fruits ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups shortening
- 1 1/2 cups unsulphured molasses ⓘ
- 3/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 3 teaspoons baking soda ⓘ
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats ⓘ
- walnuts, chopped ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups sugar ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 6 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 3 teaspoons ginger ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine undiluted orange juice concentrate, rolled oats, candied mixed fruits, and chopped walnuts in a bowl. Reserve.
- In a separate bowl, cream together shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add molasses and eggs to the creamed mixture and mix well.
- Sift together all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger; stir into the molasses mixture.
- Blend the combined mixture until smooth.
- Grease a 24 x 14 x 2-inch pan or two 18 x 9-inch pans and pour the batter in, spreading it evenly.
- Bake at 325°F for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.
- Frost with orange icing once cool.
- Cut into 3 x 1-inch bars and decorate each with candied cherries.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, consider substituting half of the shortening with unsweetened applesauce, which will also add moisture. If you prefer a different nut, pecans can be used instead of walnuts. Ensure that your orange juice concentrate is fully thawed before mixing for even distribution of flavor. For added spice, a pinch of nutmeg can complement the cinnamon and ginger well.
Serving Suggestions
These orange nut bars make a delightful treat for afternoon tea or as a dessert at gatherings. They pair beautifully with Feel Good Cheesecake for a sweet platter. Serve them alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee to enhance their flavors. For an elegant touch, consider drizzling with additional orange icing or serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover orange nut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them for up to two weeks. If you want to freeze them, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Orange Nut Bars contains roughly 412 calories, with 8g protein, 56g carbohydrates, and 20g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (70% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (42% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 482mg per serving (21% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh orange juice instead of frozen concentrate?
Yes, you can use fresh orange juice, but you might need to adjust the sweetness since fresh juice can be less concentrated. You may want to add a bit more sugar to balance the flavors, especially if the fresh juice is tart.
What can I use instead of molasses?
If you don't have molasses, you can substitute it with an equal amount of honey or maple syrup, though this will change the flavor slightly. Dark corn syrup can also work as a substitute, providing sweetness without the rich taste of molasses.
How can I add more flavor to the bars?
To enhance the flavor of the bars, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a tablespoon of orange zest to the batter. This will give a more vibrant citrus flavor that complements the orange juice concentrate beautifully.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).