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Heavenly Summer Peach Bars: A Sweet Slice of Sunshine Recipe

Heavenly Summer Peach Bars: A Sweet Slice of Sunshine Recipe

5.1 from 6 reviews

Delight in the taste of summer with these Heavenly Summer Peach Bars, featuring a buttery crust, juicy peach filling, and a crunchy crumb topping. Perfect for a sunny dessert or a sweet snack, these bars balance the natural sweetness of peaches with warm cinnamon and vanilla notes.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For the Peach Filling:

  • 34 large peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Crumb Topping:

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring there’s an overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars later.
  2. Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15–18 minutes until it turns lightly golden. Remove from oven and let it cool slightly.
  3. Prepare Filling: In a separate bowl, gently toss the peeled and sliced peaches with 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Allow this to sit while you prepare the crumb topping, so the flavors meld and the peaches release a bit of juice.
  4. Make Crumb Topping: Combine 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in another bowl. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms crumbly clumps.
  5. Assemble: Spread the peach filling evenly over the slightly cooled crust. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the peaches to cover them completely.
  6. Bake: Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbling around the edges. Remove and let it cool completely in the pan.
  7. Serve: Once cooled, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into squares and enjoy as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

  • Make sure the peaches are ripe and juicy for the best flavor and sweetness.
  • Peeling peaches is easier if you blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then plunge them into ice water.
  • You can substitute fresh peaches with frozen sliced peaches—thaw and drain excess liquid before using.
  • For a deeper flavor, try adding a pinch of nutmeg to the crumb topping.
  • Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to prevent them from falling apart.

Nutrition

Keywords: peach bars, summer dessert, fruit bars, crumb topping, peach dessert, easy baking, seasonal fruit dessert