These No-Bake Bars Are Inspired by My Favorite Childhood Frozen Treat

Tart orange and sweet, creamy vanilla are a classic combo for a reason.

By
Jessica Furniss
Jessica Furniss
Jessica Furniss
Jessica's food writing and photography have appeared in Food & Wine, MyRecipes, and on billboards. Currently, she specializes in creating how-to articles on baking and creative charcuterie boards for Simply Recipes, Allrecipes, and Southern Living. 
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Published July 30, 2025
Jessica Furniss
Creamsicle dessert bar with a graham cracker crust orange filling whipped topping and an orange slice garnish on a white plate

Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

Few things encapsulate childhood in the '80s like an orange push-up ice cream pop. My cousins and I would gather around the outdoor freezer at my grandma’s house and dig until we found the brightly colored boxes that she always kept stocked. 

I remember peeling back the orange paper lid and pushing the little stick with all my might until the creamy orange sherbet would peek out over the edge of the cardboard. That first bite was always the most refreshing sweet-tart combo. 

As a nod to this nostalgic treat, I created these sliceable, no-bake orange creamsicle bars. A graham cracker crust is topped with a creamy filling that uses both orange juice and orange Jell-O for punchy orange flavor. Vanilla pudding is mixed in for that classic creamsicle orange-vanilla combo. 

The squares are topped with whipped topping and optional fresh orange slices for an unforgettable dessert. Anytime I make this recipe for the family, it disappears before any other dessert on the table. 

Creamsicle dessert bars with orange wedge topping and a graham cracker crust arranged on a white surface

Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

Tips for Making My No-Bake Orange Creamsicle Bars

  • Press the crust firmly: Making a graham cracker crust is a simple task, but make sure to crush the graham crackers really fine. I prefer to use a food processor for this task, but a zip-top bag and a rolling pin can work as long as the crumbs are crushed super fine.
  • Add the ingredients in order: This is one of those recipes that you need to follow exactly for the best texture and flavor. Mixing in the pudding packet after the orange Jell-O mixture is combined with the cream cheese prevents the ingredients from curdling, as does adding the milk before the whipped topping. It may be tempting to pour all the ingredients into the bowl at once, but you will get the best results if you follow the order in the recipe. 
  • Use room temperature ingredients: It’s really important to make sure the ingredients are room temperature for this recipe. If the cream cheese is too cold or the orange Jell-O mixture is too hot, the mixture will curdle, creating an unpleasant texture.
A creamsicle dessert bar with a graham cracker crust topped with whipped cream on a plate

Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

Easy Recipe Tweaks

  • Change up the Jell-O: Sometimes I like to change things up by swapping out the orange Jell-O with another flavor. I love to use lime with cherries on top for a cherry limeade flavor, and grape is always a big hit with little ones. Try your favorite fruity Jell-O flavors to create a dessert that’s extra special.
  • Add toppings: In addition to or instead of fresh orange slices, try topping these bars with shredded coconut, crushed pecans, or even orange sprinkles.

More Sliceable Treats

No-Bake Orange Creamsicle Bars

Prep Time 30 mins
Chilling Time: 4 hrs
Total Time 4 hrs 30 mins
Servings 12 servings
Yield 12 squares
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup no or low-pulp orange juice

  • 1 (3-ounce) package orange Jell-O

  • 2 sleeves graham crackers (18 crackers, or 2 1/3 cups crumbs)

  • 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 4 ounces (1/2 block) cream cheese, softened to room temperature

  • 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

  • 1/2 cup whole milk

  • 1 (16-ounce) container whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), divided

  • Orange slices, for garnish, optional

Method

  1. Dissolve and cool the Jell-O:

    Heat up the orange juice in the microwave or on the stove until steaming, then pour in the orange Jell-O and stir until fully dissolved. Set aside and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

  2. Prepare the pan:

    While the Jell-O cools, line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper with extra hanging over the edges.

    Simple Tip!

    Be sure there’s plenty of overhang because you will use the parchment paper to remove the frozen dessert from the pan before cutting it into squares.

  3. Make the crust:

    Add the graham crackers to a food processor and process until ground into fine crumbs. Add the melted butter to the food processor and pulse until combined. If you don’t have a food processor, crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs by placing them inside a sealed gallon-size zip-top bag, in batches, and roll over them with a rolling pin. Combine the crumbs with the melted butter in a bowl.

    Pour the crumbs into the prepared pan and spread evenly over the bottom, going all the way to the edges. Use the bottom of a dry measuring cup to press the crust firmly into the pan. Pop the crust into the freezer while you prepare the filling.

  4. Make the orange filling:

    Add the softened cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or a large bowl if using a hand mixer. Whip on medium until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. 

    Pour in the room temperature orange Jell-O mixture and beat on low speed until smooth and fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed. Add the instant vanilla pudding mix and beat until fully incorporated. Finally, add the milk and beat again until fully combined.

  5. Assemble:

    Use a spatula to gently fold in half of the tub (8 ounces) of the whipped topping until fully incorporated. 

    Remove the prepared graham cracker crust from the freezer and pour the filling over it. Use a spatula to carefully spread the remaining whipped topping over the orange layer.

  6. Freeze, then serve:

    Transfer the pan to the freezer and freeze the dessert until set, at least 4 hours. 

    Remove the dessert from the freezer and let thaw for 10 to 15 minutes on the counter. Use the parchment paper to carefully remove the dessert from the pan. Cut the dessert into squares, top with orange slices, if using, and serve immediately. 

    Store leftover slices in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for 2 months. Don’t add the orange slices until you’re ready to serve the squares.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    Creamsicle dessert bars topped with whipped cream and orange slices

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
396 Calories
28g Fat
34g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 396
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28g 36%
Saturated Fat 19g 95%
Cholesterol 46mg 15%
Sodium 237mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 12%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 24g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 15mg 73%
Calcium 46mg 4%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 119mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.