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Zesty Orange Cream Tart

The Ultimate Orange Cream Tart: Your New Favorite Summer Dessert

This Orange Cream Tart is not just a dessert; it’s a vibrant celebration of summer in every creamy, tangy bite. Incredibly refreshing and surprisingly easy to make, it’s destined to be your go-to winner for any warm-weather occasion, from casual backyard barbecues to festive holiday gatherings.

Overhead photo of an orange cream tart on a round wire rack surrounded by halved oranges, highlighting its vibrant color and fresh appeal.

Are you on the hunt for a ridiculously simple, wonderfully refreshing, and delightfully tangy dessert to dazzle your guests at this year’s 4th of July shindig or any summer get-together? Your search ends here! This spectacular Orange Cream Tart embodies all those qualities and so much more. It’s the kind of dessert that effortlessly impresses with its bright flavor and smooth texture, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Close-up overhead photo of an orange cream tart, showcasing its smooth, creamy filling and delicate topping.

Why This Orange Cream Tart Is Your Summer Essential

What makes this Orange Cream Tart truly stand out? It’s a harmonious blend of simplicity and sophisticated flavor. Imagine a golden, buttery graham cracker crust providing the perfect textural contrast to a light-as-air, zesty orange filling. This tart delivers that nostalgic creamsicle flavor but in an elegant, easy-to-serve format. Its no-fuss preparation means you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the sunshine and company. It’s a refreshing escape on a hot day, offering a burst of citrus that awakens the palate and leaves a lasting impression of pure summer joy.

The Perfect Blend: Crafting Your Orange Cream Tart

This recipe is built on two simple yet incredibly effective components: a delectable graham cracker crust and a luscious, four-ingredient orange cream filling. Each element plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of texture and taste that makes this tart so irresistible.

Crafting the Irresistible Graham Cracker Crust

The foundation of our Orange Cream Tart is a fantastic graham cracker crust that comes together in mere minutes. It offers a sweet, buttery crunch that perfectly complements the smooth, creamy filling. You’ll need just a few basic ingredients: crushed graham cracker crumbs, a touch of granulated sugar for extra sweetness, a pinch of kosher salt to enhance the flavors, and melted unsalted butter to bind everything together into a cohesive crust. The beauty of this crust is its versatility and ease.

Collage of four photos demonstrating the step-by-step process of making a perfect graham cracker crust for the tart.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Your Choice!

While making a homemade graham cracker crust from scratch is incredibly satisfying and adds a fresh, rich flavor, we understand that time is often of the essence. If you find yourself pressed for time or simply prefer convenience, don’t hesitate to reach for a store-bought graham cracker crust. It’s an excellent shortcut that won’t compromise the overall deliciousness of your tart, allowing you to focus on the star of the show: the creamy orange filling.

Overhead photo of a freshly baked graham cracker crust resting on a white round marble board, ready for the filling.

The Zesty Heart: Orange Cream Filling

The magic truly happens with the filling, which is astonishingly simple yet yields an incredibly creamy and smooth texture with a vibrant citrus kick. This delightful concoction requires only four key ingredients, making it an absolute dream for quick dessert preparation:

  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: This provides the foundational sweetness and luxurious creaminess, giving the tart its rich, smooth mouthfeel. It acts as the perfect binder and flavor carrier.
  • Cool Whip Whipped Cream: For that irresistible light and airy texture, Cool Whip is a fantastic shortcut. It contributes to the tart’s fluffy consistency, making it feel wonderfully decadent yet not too heavy. If you prefer, freshly whipped cream can also be used for a more homemade touch, just be sure it’s stabilized for best results.
  • Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate (Thawed and Undiluted): This is where the intense, authentic orange flavor comes from. Using it undiluted ensures a concentrated citrus punch that truly stands out. Allow it to thaw completely before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling.
  • Freshly Grated Orange Zest: The zest is crucial for adding an aromatic burst and intensifying the natural orange flavor. It brings a bright, fragrant note that elevates the entire tart, providing a wonderful counterpoint to the sweetness.

Just imagine: how effortlessly does that come together? A few stirs, and your sensational filling is ready to transform into a show-stopping dessert!

Elevate Your Tart: Topping Ideas

Once your Orange Cream Tart is set and chilled to perfection, the final touch is the topping. A well-chosen garnish not only adds visual appeal but can also enhance the flavor profile. For this particular tart, I’ve had wonderful success with a couple of options:

  • Fresh White Chocolate Shavings: This is a sophisticated choice that adds a subtle sweetness and a beautiful, elegant appearance. The creamy white chocolate melts delightfully in your mouth, creating a lovely contrast with the zesty orange.
  • Extra Whipped Cream: A dollop or swirl of fresh whipped cream is always a classic and delicious option. It reinforces the creamy theme and adds an extra layer of lightness to the dessert.

Both options are incredibly yummy and complement the tart beautifully. You could also experiment with thin orange slices, candied orange peel, or even a sprinkle of chopped pistachios for an added pop of color and texture. Let your creativity guide you!

A stunning orange cream tart presented on a round wire rack, perfectly garnished and ready to be served.

Your Go-To Summer Dessert

Whether you’re hosting a grand celebration or simply looking for a delightful treat to enjoy with family, this Orange Cream Tart promises to deliver. Its vibrant flavor profile and easy preparation make it an ideal choice for any summer occasion. I genuinely hope you consider adding this fantastic recipe to your 4th of July dessert table, or any summer gathering. Enjoy the cheers and compliments that are sure to follow!

More Summer Dessert Inspiration from The Beach House Kitchen

If you’re still planning your summer menu and looking for more delightful treats, here at The Beach House Kitchen, we have a treasure trove of recipes perfect for your celebrations. Consider these other crowd-pleasing summer desserts:

  • Streusel Topped Cherry Pie Bites: Little bursts of cherry goodness with a delightful crumbly topping.
  • S’mores Cups: All the fun of s’mores without the campfire mess!
  • Pecan Cinnamon Roll Ice Box Cake: A decadent, no-bake cake that’s surprisingly easy and incredibly rich.

Overhead photo of an orange cream tart on a round wire rack, beautifully styled with fresh orange halves, creating a visually appealing summer scene.

Expert Tips for Your Orange Cream Tart

To ensure your Orange Cream Tart turns out perfectly every time, here are a few additional “Cook’s Notes” that will make your baking (or rather, no-baking) experience even smoother:

  • Crust Choice Flexibility: As highlighted earlier, you have the flexibility to either whip up the homemade graham cracker crust or opt for a convenient store-bought version. Both will yield a delicious result, so choose what best suits your schedule and preference.
  • Chilling for Perfection: For optimal firmness and ease of slicing, it is highly recommended to freeze the tart for at least 2 hours before serving. This chilling time allows the filling to set beautifully, creating clean, elegant slices.
  • Longer Freezing for Make-Ahead: If you’re planning ahead, you can freeze the tart for longer periods. When ready to serve, simply remove it from the freezer approximately 15 minutes before slicing. This brief resting period allows it to soften just enough for perfect portioning, while still maintaining its delightful chill.
  • Zest Wisely: When zesting your orange, be sure to only grate the bright orange outer layer, avoiding the white pith underneath. The pith can be bitter, and we want only the pure, sweet aroma of the orange peel.
  • Mixing the Filling: Stir the filling ingredients until they are just combined and smooth. Overmixing can sometimes reduce the airiness of the whipped cream, so a gentle hand is best.

Overhead photo of an orange cream tart on a round wire rack, surrounded by fresh oranges, emphasizing its freshness and inviting presentation.

Orange Cream Tart Recipe

Overhead photo of an orange cream tart on a round wire rack surrounded by halved oranges, serving as the main recipe image.

Orange Cream Tart

This Orange Cream Tart is creamy, tangy, and so refreshing. It’s a summer winner!

  • Author: MaryAnn Dwyer
  • Servings: 8 servings
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Chilling Time: 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins

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Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1/8 tsp. kosher salt
  • 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Orange Cream Filling

  • 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup Cool Whip whipped cream
  • 1 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed and undiluted
  • 2 Tbsp. freshly grated orange zest
  • 3/4 cup white chocolate shavings, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Graham Cracker Crust

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160°C). In a large bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter.
  2. Mix with a fork until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture resembles wet sand.
  3. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom or a 9-inch pie plate. Ensure the bottom and sides are covered.
  4. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden and fragrant.
  5. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before adding the filling.

Orange Cream Filling

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, Cool Whip whipped cream, thawed and undiluted frozen orange juice concentrate, and freshly grated orange zest.
  2. Stir all ingredients gently until they are well combined and the mixture is smooth and uniform. Be careful not to overmix.
  3. Pour the creamy orange mixture into the cooled graham cracker crust.
  4. Smooth the top with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to create an even layer.
  5. Freeze the tart for about two hours, or until it is firm enough to slice easily.
  6. Before serving, top with shaved white chocolate or an extra dollop of whipped cream for garnish.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 336kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 44g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Fat: 17g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Cholesterol: 32mg
  • Sodium: 183mg
  • Potassium: 331mg
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 32g
  • Vitamin A: 478IU
  • Vitamin C: 54mg
  • Calcium: 69mg
  • Iron: 1mg

Keyword: tart, orange, graham cracker crust

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Before your first bite, snap a photo and share! If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Be sure to follow The Beach House Kitchen on Instagram and tag @thebeachhousekitchen or tag #thebeachhousekitchen!