Orange Dreamsicle

Remember when we were kids, we’d be playing outside, and we would run down the street chasing the melodious sounds of the ice cream truck? I’d be checking for loose change in my pockets and would hit the pavement running as fast my Keds could go.  The favorite frozen treats from my neck of the woods were Sidewalk Sundaes, Strawberry Shortcake, and Orange Dreamsicle a.k.a. Creamsicle. Because we were serious about our treats, there were some heated debates among us elementary-age ice cream connoisseurs.

Orange Dreamsicle pie perfectly captures the orange quiescently frozen treat we craved for every summer.  With the very first bite you will be in Dreamsicle heaven. Remember those rare carefree summer days, running after the magical music selling frozen treats? I am kind of sad I don’t hear them anymore; however, I don’t think I would run after them today!

The orange cream filling is full of orange zest and a little zap of lemon to help brighten the flavor. Even though it’s not as orange-colored as its frozen ice cream bar counterpart, it’s every bit as delicious. I almost added a drop of orange food coloring, but I didn’t. I wanted you to see the finished pie “as is.” Regardless of the color, it’s cloud-like creamy & all the flavor. Feel free to go the extra mile and use Candied Orange Peels for garnish. I snack on my citrus peels, therefore I had not a single one for garnish. Oops.

To start off, make the orange curd so it has time to cool for whipping into the filling. Pro Tip: Use a lemon cookie crust for an extra punch of citrus! Follow the link for Sandwich Cookie Crust recipe; lemon sandwich cookies are easy to find. However, if a gluten free crumb crust is what you need, I have you covered. See the notes in the recipe below to create a gluten free “graham” type crust.

The only thing that could make this better is having a minute or two to indulge in a slice. Get the kiddos busy and happily distracted; you can make it happen.

Whatever you do, make sure you grab a slice to “Treat Yo ‘Self.” Enjoy that trip down yesteryear with every bite; no running to the ice cream truck required.

Print Recipe

Orange Dreamsicle

Orange Dreamsicle pie perfectly captures the creamy vanilla ice cream center surrounded by the orange quiescently frozen treat we craved for every summer!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Portlandia Pie Lady

Ingredients

Filling:

• 1/2 cup pure cane sugar
• 1 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• zest of 1 orange
• juice of 1 orange (about 1/4 cup)
• pinch of salt
• 4 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
• 8 ounce cream cheese (room temperature)
• 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Topping:

• 1-1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract (optional)

1 prepared 9-inch lemon cookie or graham cracker crust

• See notes below for making a gluten free "graham" type crust.

Instructions

Orange Curd:

• Beat the egg yolks and pour through a sieve to get out those white "wiggly" things.
• In medium size saucepan, stir together the beaten-strained yolks, sugar, cornstarch, juices, zest and salt. Stirring with whisk constantly in the sauce pan over medium to medium-high heat, until mixture thickens (about 5-6 minutes).
• Remove pan from heat and stir in butter and stir until melted.
• Pour mixture into a separate bowl and cover with plastic wrap pressed onto surface of curd to prevent skin from forming. Chill in refrigerator about 2 hours until thoroughly cooled.

Filling & Assembly:

• With an electric mixer (I like KitchenAid), whip the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form, set aside.
• In a separate mixing bowl beat the cream cheese until creamy and no lumps, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add in the cooled orange curd and beat an additional 1 to 2 minutes until thoroughly incorporated.
• Fold the whipped whipping cream into the orange and cream cheese mixture. Spread into a prepared lemon cookie or graham cracker crust.

Whipped Topping:

• With an electric mixer, beat the whipping cream, sugar, vanilla, and orange extract, until stiff peaks form. Pipe around edges of finished pie.Garnish with orange zest, candied orange peels, or orange curls.

Notes

Gluten Free Crumb Crust:

Cheerios Oat Crunch Honey Oat flavor (Dark Gold Box, not white box) or Puffins Cereal.  If you are not sure you have the right Cheerios, read label, they do have a gluten free version that is fairly easy to find.

You can also used regular Cheerios and add 1/4 cup brown sugar. 

Grind to fine mix in blender or food processor. (1-1/2 cups blended ground cereal, plus 5 tablespoons melted butter).  Press into pie plate.  Bake 5 minutes at 350 F, and cool before using.