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This recipe for Fudgy Brownies is my favorite – one bowl and so easy! Topped with Orange Frosting made with mandarine oranges, these are The Best Orange Frosted Brownies you’ll ever eat!

orange frosted brownies on white plate with oranges in background

Happy Easter everyone! I hope you’re having a relaxing Sunday with your family.

We got back last night from a couple of days in San Diego, visiting family. Another word for this trip: the Eating Extravaganza of 2013.

Let me give you a rundown:

We were traveling, so eating a danish at the airport was perfectly acceptable.

So was the bagel sandwich I scarfed at Einstein’s. {Why oh why is there no Einstein’s in Rocklin, CA?}

Then there were hamburgers and chips for dinner.

Friday – now that took the cake. We went out to breakfast with Mel’s dad.

We went to Il Fornaio for lunch.

And I was still hungry for a sandwich at dinner. And frozen yogurt.

We celebrated early Easter Saturday morning with cinnamon rolls and eggs. Which I washed down with two pork carnitas tacos at Old Town.

All interspersed with handfuls of Cadbury Mini Eggs.

Oh, and we went for brunch this morning.

My new name: Fatty McBuffet Pants.

I wore leggings for a reason. None of my pants fit.

So I’m going on a fast for the next week.

As long as the fast includes brownies, I’m good.

orange frosted brownies on white plate with oranges in background

I am totally eating crow with these brownies, BTW. I have scoffed at the orange-and-chocolate combo for years. I remember seeing one of those orange chocolate shaped thingies at Christmas when I was like, 12 and thinking EW OMG NO WAY.

People. I was wrong. So very, very wrong.

Orange and chocolate are totally BFFs. Like, they need to get broken heart-shaped necklaces and wear matching color hair ties on their wrists because OMG they can’t live without each other and they have to proclaim their love to everyone.

Orange + Chocolate = Heaven.

orange frosted brownies on white plate with oranges in background

This brownie recipe isn’t new. It’s my favorite Fudgy Brownie recipe, the one I paired recently with Coconut Frosting. The same brownies I stuffed truffles inside.

These brownies are rich and fabulous and sinful and the best ever. I use two kinds of melted chocolate and cocoa powder in these brownies for a richness you wouldn’t believe. They are pretty much one bowl and are better than a box. Yes, I said it. They are better than a box brownie.

They’re good even by themselves with a fork, but they are even better with Orange Frosting.

You can use any kind of orange for this frosting, but I used Cuties (mandarin oranges). I had a bag and they were going to go to waste since Jordan decided she won’t eat them. The juice is so fragrant my mouth waters every time I juice them. I don’t like eating oranges (I have texture issues and pulp is a #1 offender) but I like peeling Cuties just so my fingers will smell like them.

The frosting is a basic one: butter and powdered sugar and flavoring. I added orange juice and zest to flavor the frosting. And, my secret for the best frosting ever? Heavy cream. Not milk. Certainly not non-fat milk. The real deal: heavy whipping cream. Just a tablespoon or two makes the frosting rich, creamy, and oh-so-good.

orange frosted brownies on white plate with oranges in background

 Meh. I’ll start the fast on tomorrow. What’s one more day? 😉

orange frosted brownies on white plate with oranges in background

The Best Orange Frosted Brownies

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Ingredients
 

For the Brownies

  • 2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate , coarsely chopped
  • 2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate , coarsely chopped
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

For the frosting:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13” pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
  • Place the two baking chocolates and butter in a large, microwave safe bowl. Heat on HIGH power for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until chocolate is smooth. Stir in sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, and cocoa and stir well. Add flour and stir carefully.
  • Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake about 25 minutes, until a toothpick 2 inches from the outside of the pan comes out clean. Let cool before cutting.
  • To make the frosting, beat butter in a large bowl with a hand mixer until smooth. Slowly beat in powdered sugar until crumbly. Beat in orange juice, then heavy cream (not together).
  • Spread frosting over the top of the cooled brownies.
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate

Other brownie love:

Fudgy Brownies with Coconut Frosting

Brownie Mud Hen Bars

Sweets from friends:
Layered S’mores Brownies by Shugary Sweets
Microwave Brownie in a Cup by No. 2 Pencil
Better than Anything Caramel Stuffed Brownies

Last Updated on March 10, 2024



Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

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83 Comments

  1. My mind has yet to be blown by an orange/chocolate combination, but this looks like a good way to do it! Especially with oranges sitting in my fridge right now…

    And I need to find me a go-to brownie recipe. I feel so left out for not having one.

    Btw, you had me laughing on this post. Especially the part where you washed down cinnamon rolls and eggs with 2 pork carnitas tacos. Wear those leggings proudly, you’ve earned them with my admiration and respect!

  2. Mmmmmm, I think I need an all brownie diet 😉 I love how fudgy these look, and cutie frosting?? That HAS to be good! I need to try these!

  3. You know, I’ve never been a huge fan of the chocolate/orange combo, but seeing these pictures has totally changed my mind. These look so good, Dorothy! Seriously. SO. GOOD.

    1. It’s way better than I ever thought…I may have to try one of those chocolate oranges next Christmas…

  4. That sounds like a wonderful trip of eating.I love those and hate those all at the same time.

    I am a chocolate orange fan but oddly not an orange fan on its own, except for the little ones.

  5. Ohhhhh yummm Dorothy!! I love orange and chocolate together….this frosting looks delectable and I would probably ask for double 🙂

  6. Thank you…I needed a good laugh on this Monday! I must must must try your fudge brownies asap. Although I fear I may be next in line for some stretch pants. 😉 Have you ever tried your fudge brownie recipe in a smaller pan? I was just curious if you preferred the 9 x 13.

    1. You can totally do them in a 9×9 – but they’ll be thicker. Thicker is sometimes better. 🙂 Check the bake times too – it’ll be longer. I just naturally gravitate towards the bigger pan. 🙂 Thanks for your comment!

  7. Wow I love your eating extravaganza!! That sounds like so much fun! Tomorrow is always the better day to start a fast – lol! I have to say I have always loved orange and chocolate and I would for sure love these brownies too! Thanks for sharing the recipe! 🙂

  8. I love citrus desserts but have to say I have reservations when they are combined with chocolate. Your amazing pictures have me salivating though and I am totally reconsidering.

  9. Never thought of having orange frosting on brownies, but this sounds amazing. I know what you mean about eating too much over Easter. I didn’t even go out of town, but I baked a lot of treats and felt like I should truly celebrate, but now I’m regretting it just a bit.