Orange Creamsicle Lush Dessert

Ingredients

Crust:
30 vanilla sandwich cookies finely crushed
6 tbsp salted sweet cream butter melted
2 tbsp fresh orange zest 1 medium size orange

Cheesecake Filling:
2 8 ounce packages cream cheese softened
1¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp fresh orange zest (½ medium size orange)

Orange Jello Layer:
1 6 ounce box orange flavored gelatin
1 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding
1¼ cup cold milk
⅓ cup mandarin orange juice drained from the 14 ounce can mandarin oranges
1 tbsp fresh orange zest ½ medium size orange
2 tsp orange extract
5 drops orange food coloring optional

Topping:
12 ounces whipped topping thawed
1 14 ounce can mandarin oranges drained, reserve ⅓ cup for the orange jello layer

Directions

Crust:
Using a medium size mixing bowl, combine the finely crushed cookie crumbs, melted butter and orange zest.

Generously spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.

Evenly spread and press the cookie crumb mixture in the bottom of the baking dish. Chill in the refrigerator while making the cheesecake layer.

Cheesecake layer:
Using a medium size mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the cream cheese and vanilla extract for 1 minute, or until smooth.

Add the powdered sugar and continue mixing until well incorporated. Fold in the orange zest.

Remove the crust from the refrigerator and evenly spread the cheesecake mixture. Return the baking dish to the refrigerator while preparing the orange jello layer.

Orange Jello Layer:
Using a heat safe 1 cup measuring cup, heat the reserved mandarin orange juice in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Using a small size heat safe mixing bowl, add the orange flavored gelatin. Pour the hot mandarin orange juice over the gelatin and stir until the gelatin is dissolved.

Using a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding and the cold milk, until the pudding is thickened.

Whisk in the gelatin. Whisk until completely combined. If you wish to add the orange food coloring, whisk it in. Fold in the orange zest.
Remove the baking pan from the refrigerator and evenly spread the gelatin pudding mixture on top of the cheesecake layer. Cover and return the baking dish to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours to overnight.

Just before serving, evenly spread the whipped topping. Evenly divide and space the mandarin orange slices. Slice into 2 inch x 2 inch squares.