Orange Dreamsicle Tart

Orange Dreamsicle Tart. A crisp coconut-graham cracker crust holds a creamy orange-scented custard and is topped with billowy vanilla whipped cream. A dream!

Disclosure: This post is written in partnership with Florida Prepaid College Foundation as a member of their Believer Bloggers program. As always, all opinions here are my own.

I’m a pretty grounded, logical person, but I have some big, lofty dreams. They range from little things like having a perfectly organized pantry {that stays that way indefinitely} and getting around to printing the many, many digital photos I have to big things like finally traveling to the Greek Isles and continuing to grow my business to new heights.

Many of my dreams involve things I want for our family. As a parent, you can’t help but let your mind wander into the future and think about all of the experiences you want to be able to enjoy with your children. A big dream that both Steve and I share is to be able to completely pay for Cole’s college education, which is why we decided to begin saving with Florida Prepaid College Program soon after he was born.

I know that this is the dream of so many parents hold in their hearts — it’s a dream that my own mother probably had, but one she was not able to achieve having three daughters, all of whom she sent to private school from Kindergarten through high school. Part of the reason I want to give Cole the gift of a prepaid college tuition is because I know what it’s like to pay student loans. I lucked out and was able to secure an extremely low interest rate upon graduating, and my monthly payments are quite reasonable. However, if I continue to pay them off at my current rate, I won’t be completely finished until I’m 42!! {I’m 35… so we’re getting there!}

So many families are in a similar position as my own was, wanting desperately to ensure a debt-free education for their kids, but having so many other essential bills to take care of first that it just seems like it isn’t a possibility.

I’m happy to tell you that, fortunately, that dream is more within reach than many families know with Florida Prepaid’s 529 Plan. With this plan, families are able to contribute as much and as often as they’re able to with no minimum contributions and no application fees. To get a head start on saving, Florida Prepaid is giving 10 families the chance to win $529 in a nationwide celebration of 529 Savings Day! From May 15- June 11, you can register for a chance to get started making your debt-free dreams for you children come true!

For more information about Florida Prepaid’s 529 Plan, check out Florida Prepaid’s 529 Plan that highlights some of the benefits of using this flexible method of saving.

Before you know it, your dreams of saving for your childrens’  college educations will come true, making more time to start working on those other lofty goals… Greek Isles, here I come! 😉

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Is there anything dreamier than the luscious flavors of vanilla, orange and cream baked into a beautiful tart?

If you’re a fan of Dreamsicles/Creamsicles — the classic summer combo of vanilla ice cream enrobed in an icy layer of orange-flavored goodness — then this tart’s for you!

A simple crust of pulverized graham cracker and sweetened coconut flakes makes the ideal, tropical vessel for a condensed-milk sweetened citrus custard, lightened with airy, beaten egg whites. Decorated with a halo of fluffy, vanilla-scented whipped cream, this dessert is definitely one heavenly dream!

Orange Dreamsicle Tart

Orange Dreamsicle Tart. A crisp coconut-graham cracker crust holds a creamy orange-scented custard and is topped with billowy vanilla whipped cream. A dream!

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Course Dessert

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Servings 1 tart

Author Dianna Muscari

Ingredients  

For Crust

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
• ¼ + 2 tablespoons butter melted

For Filling

• 1 14 oz. container sweetened condensed milk
• 3 eggs separated
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange
• ½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice

For Cream

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

• Preheat oven 350 degrees. Prepare a tart or pie pan by spraying liberally with non-stick spray. Place it on a large baking sheet {to ensure no drips and to make it easier to move in and out of the oven}; set aside.
• Make crust: In the bowl of a food processor, combine graham cracker crumbs and coconut flakes. Pulse until the coconut is processed into fine bits. Pour into a small bowl and add melted butter. Toss to combine until the crumbs resemble wet sand. {It should be able to somewhat stick together when pressed.} Press the mixture into the prepared tart or pie pan, using a measuring cup to evenly flatten the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
• Bake crust for about 8-10 minutes or until it begins turning golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool.
• Clean out the food processor. Add sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks (not whites), vanilla extract and orange zest; blend until the mixture is a pale yellow color.
• While the processor is still running, pour in the orange juice and blend until fully combined.
• Meanwhile, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
• Slowly pour little bits of the orange/egg yolk mixture into the beaten egg whites, folding gently. Make sure not to deflate the egg whites but ensure that everything is becoming uniform without too many lumps.
• Pour the mixture into the cooled crust and bake for another 18-20 minutes or until the top is lightly golden and the custard is just set -- it should have a tiny bit of "jiggle" left. Remove from oven and cool completely.
• Make Whipped Cream: Beat cream, sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Scoop into a piping bag with a decorative tip {if desired} and pipe around the edge of the cooled tart. Decorate with thin orange slices if desired.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.