Homemade Peach Crumb Bars: A Sweet Summer Treat
Peach crumb bars are the perfect summer dessert. They combine the sweet, juicy flavor of fresh peaches with a buttery, crumbly topping that’s irresistible. This recipe is easy to follow, even for beginner bakers, and yields a batch of bars that are sure to disappear quickly. Get ready to delight your family and friends with these delightful homemade peach crumb bars!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
* **Simple and Quick:** These bars come together quickly, making them perfect for a last-minute dessert or a casual gathering.
* **Bursting with Peach Flavor:** Fresh peaches are the star of the show, delivering a juicy and naturally sweet flavor that’s hard to resist.
* **Delicious Crumb Topping:** The buttery, crumbly topping adds a delightful texture and complements the sweet peaches perfectly.
* **Versatile:** Enjoy these bars warm or cold, plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
* **Crowd-Pleaser:** Peach crumb bars are always a hit with both kids and adults.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make these delicious peach crumb bars:
**For the Crust and Crumb Topping:**
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ½ teaspoon baking powder
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
**For the Peach Filling:**
* 4 cups peeled and sliced fresh peaches (about 6 medium peaches)
* ¼ cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
## Equipment You’ll Need
* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Mixing bowls
* Pastry blender or food processor (optional)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Paring knife
* Cutting board
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed instructions to create the perfect peach crumb bars:
**Step 1: Prepare the Peach Filling**
1. **Peel the Peaches:** The easiest way to peel peaches is to blanch them briefly in boiling water. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Score an “X” on the bottom of each peach with a paring knife. Drop the peaches into the boiling water for about 30-60 seconds. Remove them with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water. The skins should slip off easily.
2. **Slice the Peaches:** Once the peaches are peeled, slice them into approximately ½-inch thick slices. You should have about 4 cups of sliced peaches.
3. **Combine the Filling Ingredients:** In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced peaches with ¼ cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and ground cinnamon. Make sure the peaches are evenly coated. The cornstarch will help to thicken the filling as it bakes.
**Step 2: Make the Crust and Crumb Topping**
1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ¾ cup granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. **Cut in the Butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You can also use a food processor for this step. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Be careful not to over-process.
3. **Add the Wet Ingredients:** In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg and vanilla extract. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir until just combined. The dough will be crumbly.
**Step 3: Assemble the Peach Crumb Bars**
1. **Prepare the Baking Pan:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze!
2. **Press Half of the Dough into the Pan:** Press half of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use your fingers or the bottom of a measuring cup to create a firm, even crust. This will form the base of your peach crumb bars.
3. **Add the Peach Filling:** Pour the peach filling over the crust in the baking pan, spreading it evenly. Ensure the peaches are distributed evenly across the base.
4. **Sprinkle the Remaining Dough Over the Filling:** Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the peach filling. Try to cover the peaches as much as possible, creating a generous crumb topping. Gently press down to make a even layer. Some spots may still be showing through – that’s ok!
**Step 4: Bake the Peach Crumb Bars**
1. **Bake:** Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly. The crumb topping should also be nicely browned. Check the bars around 30 minutes to prevent over-browning. If necessary, loosely tent the pan with foil.
2. **Cool:** Remove the peach crumb bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan before cutting. This is important, as the filling will set up as it cools. Cooling also prevents the bars from falling apart when you cut them. If using parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan and transfer to a cutting board.
**Step 5: Cut and Serve**
1. **Cut:** Once the bars are completely cool, cut them into squares or rectangles. The size of the bars is up to you!
2. **Serve:** Serve the peach crumb bars at room temperature or chilled. They are delicious on their own, or you can serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A sprinkle of powdered sugar also adds a nice touch.
## Tips for the Best Peach Crumb Bars
* **Use Cold Butter:** Cold butter is essential for creating a flaky, crumbly crust and topping. Make sure your butter is very cold before you start. Consider freezing the butter for 10-15 minutes before using it.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten and result in a tough crust. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined.
* **Use Ripe but Firm Peaches:** Ripe peaches will be sweeter and more flavorful, but make sure they are still firm enough to hold their shape during baking. Overripe peaches will become mushy.
* **Adjust Sugar to Taste:** The amount of sugar in the filling can be adjusted to your preference, depending on the sweetness of your peaches. Taste the peaches before adding the sugar and adjust accordingly.
* **Let the Bars Cool Completely:** Cooling the bars completely allows the filling to set up and prevents them from falling apart when you cut them.
* **Add a Streusel Topping:** if you want to increase the texture, add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb mixture for added flavor and crunch.
* **Variations on the Fruit Filling:** You can try adding other fruits to the peach filling, such as blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. You can use other fruits altogether! Think apple, plum, or nectarine bars.
## Variations and Substitutions
* **Gluten-Free:** To make these peach crumb bars gluten-free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
* **Vegan:** To make these peach crumb bars vegan, use a vegan butter substitute and a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water). Let the flax egg sit for 5 minutes to thicken before adding it to the dough.
* **Spices:** Experiment with different spices in the filling, such as nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom.
* **Extracts:** Try adding a different extract to the dough, such as almond extract or lemon extract.
## Serving Suggestions
These peach crumb bars are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions:
* **With Ice Cream:** Serve warm peach crumb bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or your favorite flavor.
* **With Whipped Cream:** Top the bars with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
* **With a Drizzle of Caramel Sauce:** Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the bars for an extra touch of sweetness.
* **With a Cup of Coffee or Tea:** Enjoy these bars as an afternoon treat with a cup of coffee or tea.
## Storage Instructions
* **Store at Room Temperature:** Peach crumb bars can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
* **Store in the Refrigerator:** For longer storage, store the bars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Be sure to use an airtight container to prevent drying out.
* **Freeze:** You can freeze peach crumb bars for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. Thaw the bars in the refrigerator before serving. Freezing is a great way to preserve them if you have left overs!
## Nutritional Information (Approximate)
(Per Bar – Based on 12 Bars)
* Calories: 300-350
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 10-12g
* Cholesterol: 40-50mg
* Sodium: 100-150mg
* Carbohydrates: 40-45g
* Sugar: 20-25g
* Protein: 3-4g
*Please note that nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*
## Recipe Card
**Yields:** 12 bars
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 35-40 minutes
**Ingredients:**
**For the Crust and Crumb Topping:**
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ½ teaspoon baking powder
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
**For the Peach Filling:**
* 4 cups peeled and sliced fresh peaches (about 6 medium peaches)
* ¼ cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Peach Filling:** Peel and slice the peaches. In a large bowl, toss the peaches with ¼ cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and cinnamon.
2. **Make the Crust and Crumb Topping:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ¾ cup granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
3. **Assemble the Peach Crumb Bars:** Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan. Pour the peach filling over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the peach filling.
4. **Bake:** Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly.
5. **Cool:** Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting.
6. **Cut and Serve:** Cut into squares and serve.
Enjoy your homemade peach crumb bars! We hope you love this recipe. Share your results and let us know what variations you’ve tried in the comments below.