Description
Delight in these Summer Peach Bars featuring a buttery, crumbly crust topped with a juicy, cinnamon-spiced peach filling. Perfect for warm weather indulgence, these bars combine sweet peaches with a tender baked base for a simple yet elegant dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
Peach Filling
- 3 medium ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Dash of salt
Optional
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars later.
- Make the Crust Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the flour and granulated sugar. Add the chilled, cubed butter and blend with fingers or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Form and Bake Crust: Press the flour mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan forming an even crust. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until edges turn lightly golden.
- Prepare Peach Filling: While crust bakes, combine sliced peaches, brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Toss until peaches are evenly coated.
- Add Filling to Crust: Remove baked crust from oven and immediately spread the peach mixture evenly over it.
- Bake Bars: Return to oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until peaches are bubbly and topping is set.
- Cool Bars: Let bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Use parchment overhang to lift bars out of pan once cooled.
- Slice and Serve: Cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
Notes
- Ensure peaches are ripe and juicy for the best flavor and texture.
- Using chilled butter helps create a crumbly, tender crust.
- You can substitute fresh peaches with frozen thawed peaches if fresh are unavailable.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Allow bars to cool completely to help the filling set properly before slicing.
