Description
Delicious peach crumb bars with a buttery crust and sweet peach filling, topped with a crumbly oat topping, perfect for dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
- 1/2 cup (43g) + 1 Tbsp old-fashioned whole rolled oats, divided
- 1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 11/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/81/2 teaspoon salt
- 10 Tablespoons (142g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg, cold
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons (11g) all-purpose flour
- 11/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/41/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/21/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- 2 and 1/2 cups (about 400g) chopped fresh peach chunks
- 1/2 cup (60g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 Tablespoon (15g/ml) heavy cream or milk
- 1/21/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Crust: Begin by mixing together the all-purpose flour, 10 Tablespoons of unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt until you achieve a nice crumbly texture. It should start to clump together and smell buttery. Avoid over-blending, or it could become too sticky.
- Pre-bake the Crust: Spread the crust mixture evenly in your baking pan and press it down firmly. Bake at 375 degrees F until it is just golden and set, which should take about 15 minutes. This step is essential to prevent your crust from becoming soggy under the juicy peach filling.
- Prepare the Peach Filling: While the crust cools, slice and pit your fresh peaches. Sprinkle them with 1/21/2 teaspoon of lemon juice and about 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. The peaches should feel soft and fragrant. Mix right before spreading to avoid excess moisture.
- Add the Peach Filling: Once the crust has cooled slightly, spread the peach mixture evenly over it. Ensure the pretty peach slices are visible as a neat layer to help everything hold together.
- Make the Crumb Topping: Mix together the remaining all-purpose flour, oats, brown sugar, and butter until the mixture is crumbly and slightly sticky. It should feel crumbly yet cohesive. Press it into the mixture gently to avoid a soggy layer on top.
- Top & Bake: Sprinkle your crumb topping evenly over the peach filling, allowing some chunks to peek through for a rustic appearance. Bake at 375 degrees F until the topping is golden brown and the peaches are bubbling. Check frequently, as baking times can vary.
- Cool & Slice: Once it is out of the oven, let the entire pan cool completely before slicing. Patience is crucial for clean cuts and to allow the bars to set properly. If they crumble when cutting, it indicates they were not cooled enough.
- Lift & Serve: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan, minimizing breakage. Cut into squares and serve promptly.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store leftover peach pie bars tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Expert Tips: Ensure the crust is pre-baked properly and allow the bars to cool completely for the best results. Using fresh, ripe peaches right before spreading can cut down on excess moisture and prevent the filling from getting too watery. For clean slices, let the bars chill fully in the refrigerator to achieve perfect cuts without crumbling. Using parchment paper with overhang also eases lifting the bars from the pan.
- Reheating Instructions: If you wish to enjoy them warm, reheat individual servings in a microwave for about 15-20 seconds at a low power setting, or until warmed through.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for garnish. These bars also pair nicely with a fresh fruit salad for a light finish.
- Recipe Variations: Add blueberries for a mixed fruit version. You can also replace sliced almonds with chopped pecans or walnuts, and try mixing in spices like nutmeg or ginger for warmth.
- Ingredient Notes: For the best flavor and texture, always opt for fresh peaches. In case of no fresh peaches available, frozen peaches can be used; just thaw them and blot away excess moisture before adding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg