Orange Custard Squares. An old fashioned favourite cookie bar!
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Orange Custard Squares. An old fashioned favourite cookie bar made with a rich orange custard filling between 2 layers of shortbread crumble.
Originally published December 2016.
These Orange Custard Squares are cookie bars that I remember making many years ago, especially at this time of year in the height of Christmas baking season.
Bird's Custard is one of those British institutions that still remains very popular here in Newfoundland. It is not quite as popular now though, as in the post war decades when it was a regular Sunday supper dessert treat.
Orange Custard Squares inspired by newfoundland tradition.
Jelly and custard was found at practically every household I knew on a Sunday evening, even well up into the 70's.
In my extended family we even now use the term, "Jelly & Custard House" to describe any typical, cozy Newfoundland saltbox style house we pass.
That style of home would be where you would be sure to find a bowl of jelly & custard waiting at the end of your Sunday cold plate supper.
These cookie bars are very simple but very delicious. The richness and flavour of the custard powder is what sets this recipe apart, paired with the simple but delicious buttery shortbread crumble.
They will make a delightful addition to the treats in your Holiday freezer but are ideal for anytime baking throughout the year too.
Need more Christmas Cookie ideas?
If you like this recipe you may also want to check out this delicious collection of Classic Newfoundland Christmas Cookies!
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Orange Custard Squares
Orange Custard Squares - an old fashioned favourite cookie bar made with a rich orange custard filling between 2 layers of shortbread crumble.
Ingredients
For the orange custard filling
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon custard powder
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups orange juice
- zest of 2 small oranges, finely minced, or 1 large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 egg yolks, lightly whisked
- 2 tablespoon butter
For the shortbread crumble
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
To prepare the filling
- Mix together the sugar and custard powder in a small saucepan.
- Add the orange juice, zest and vanilla extract. Stir well.
- Cook over medium low heat, stirring slowly but constantly. I prefer to use a silicone spatula for this, so that I can continuously run it along the entire bottom of the pot.
- When the filling thickens, remove from the heat and pour about a half cup onto the egg yolks, whisking constantly.
- Return the egg mixture quickly back to the pot, again stirring constantly. Cook for one more minute,
- Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Set aside while you prepare the crumble.
To prepare the crumble
- Mix together the flour, sugar & baking powder.
- Sprinkle on the vanilla extract.
- Using your hands or a pastry blender cut in the butter until the it is completely incorporated into the dry ingredients. You can also do this very quickly in a food processor.
- Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch well greased baking pan. Pour the orange custard filling evenly over the bottom crumbs. Gently sprinkle the remaining crumbs over the orange custard filling and press down gently.
- Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 40 - 45 minutes or until light golden brown in color. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
36Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 123Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 26mgSodium 60mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 0gSugar 9gProtein 1g
I remember my mom making these orange squares. I also remember having jelly & custard many a sunday evening. Even after moving from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia in the early sixties, my mom continued the tradition of jelly & custard on Sunday for many years to come. 🙂
Is there any substitute for the custard powder? Where might it be purchased in US?
Try Amazon, they seem to have everything nowadays.
There is another brand Hornes custard powder.
Hi Barry-those bars look amazing. I can't wait to try them.
One quick question-I live in New England and the grocery stores I shop at don't carry Bird's Custard Powder. Is there another ingredient that can be substituted? If not, I'll keep looking to see if I can find it.
Thanks so much....I subscribe to your blog and love your recipes,
Carol
I'very never heard of custard powder here in US. Is there a recipe ?
No it's a commercial product from the uk.
Custard powder is basically cornstarch and artifical flavouring . You can use cornstarch and double up on vanilla or add i tsp orange flavouring
Can these orange custard squares be frozen.I just took them out of the oven.
You can also make your own custard with egg yolks,sugar; I dont have the recipe in front of me now.
Barry: I have made several things from your cookbooks and Im enjoying all of them.
Than you.
I froze these during the Holidays with no problems.
Just made these for the first time. They smell Devine. Keep up the good work.
Good flavour combination, easy to follow. The jelly layer was ok and square was very easy to remove from the pan with no crumbling.
Should the orange juice be from squeezed oranges or regular bottled OJ?
Hi ive made dozens matbe hundreds of these ove over the years but to really give them glam my recipe adds bout a half cup of shredded unsweetened coconut to the top crumble and toast it ever so lightly with the broiler before removing from oven.....u wont be disappointed