Move over, lemon bars, there’s a new sweet-tart Sheriff in town! These Blood Orange Bars have the perfect combination of a silky, creamy, tart, custardy top and a buttery, cake-like shortbread crust. These easy orange squares require just 8 simple ingredients and 15 minutes of active prep time, making them the ideal impromptu dessert baking project.

Update: This article was originally published in February 2016. I made updates to the post below to include more information about this recipe for blood orange bars.
About these orange bars
These blood orange squares are every bit as tantalizing as the original lemon recipe and then some. Also known as blood orange dream bars, these portable mini dessert cookie pies are packed with a delightfully citrusy flavor that is seriously addicting. One bite, and you’ll be in dessert heaven! The blood orange curd on top is silky, creamy, tart, sweet, slightly sour, and gorgeously flecked with specks of bourbon vanilla bean. The shortbread crust is beautifully buttery and perfectly short, with a crumbly, just-holds-together consistency that melts on your tongue. 
Why you’ll love this orange dessert
If you’ve considered what baking with oranges would look like, this is the recipe to try. Aside from being an extraordinarily delicious way to use the crown jewel of the citrus world, this blood orange square recipe is also:

Quick & Easy – You only need 15 minutes of active prep time to prepare the h...