Peach Crumb Bars are a delightful, sweet treat perfect for summertime, or anytime you’re craving a fruity dessert! These bars have a buttery, crumbly topping and a delicious peach filling that’s sweet and tangy. You can make them with fresh or frozen peaches, and they’re great for serving at parties, picnics, or as an everyday snack.
Here’s a simple recipe for Peach Crumb Bars:
Peach Crumb Bars
Ingredients:
For the Peach Filling:
- 4 cups fresh peaches, peeled and diced (or 2 1/2 cups frozen peaches, thawed and chopped)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of cinnamon (optional)
For the Crust and Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
2. Make the Peach Filling:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the diced peaches, lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of cinnamon (if using). Stir gently to combine.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and becomes bubbly, about 5-7 minutes. Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.
3. Make the Crust and Crumb Topping:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until the dough comes together. It may be a little crumbly, but that’s fine.
- Stir in the rolled oats to give the crust and topping extra texture.
4. Assemble the Bars:
- Press about 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to press it evenly into the pan.
- Spread the peach filling evenly over the crust, making sure the peaches are well-distributed.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the top of the peach filling to form a crumbly topping.
5. Bake:
- Bake the bars in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbling.
- Check the edges around 30 minutes, and if they are browning too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil to prevent overbaking.
6. Cool and Slice:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This will help the filling set and make slicing easier.
- Once cooled, cut into squares or bars, and serve!
7. Optional:
- Dust the tops with a little powdered sugar for a decorative touch, or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Storage:
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also refrigerate them for a longer shelf life (up to 5-7 days), or freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before storing.
Tips & Variations:
- Frozen Peaches: If you’re using frozen peaches, be sure to thaw and drain them well before using. Excess moisture can make the filling too runny.
- Other Fruit: You can substitute other fruits like blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries for a different flavor, or make a mixed berry version.
- Almond Flavor: For a slight almond flavor, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to the peach filling.
- Nutty Topping: For extra crunch, try adding chopped nuts (like almonds or walnuts) to the topping mixture.
These Peach Crumb Bars are a perfect balance of sweet, fruity filling and a buttery, crumbly topping. They’re sure to be a hit at any gathering or as a sweet treat to enjoy any time of year! Enjo
