## Sun-Kissed Nectarine Bars: Easy & Delicious Summer Baking!
Nectarine bars are the quintessential summer treat. Imagine biting into a sweet, juicy nectarine nestled in a buttery, crumbly crust. The combination of textures and flavors is simply irresistible. This recipe is incredibly easy to make, perfect for using up ripe nectarines, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next picnic or barbecue. Get ready to bake up some sunshine!
**Why You’ll Love This Nectarine Bar Recipe:**
* **Simple Ingredients:** Most of these ingredients are pantry staples.
* **Easy to Make:** No fancy techniques required – just mix, press, and bake!
* **Deliciously Sweet and Tart:** The perfect balance of flavors.
* **Versatile:** Adapt the recipe with different fruits or toppings.
* **Perfect for Summer:** A great way to use seasonal nectarines.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** The bars can be made a day in advance.
* **Portable:** Ideal for picnics, potlucks, and lunchboxes.
**Ingredients You’ll Need:**
**For the Crust:**
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* ½ cup granulated sugar
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* 4-6 tablespoons ice water
**For the Filling:**
* 6-8 medium ripe nectarines, pitted and sliced
* ¼ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of the nectarines)
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
**Optional Toppings:**
* Powdered sugar, for dusting
* Chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts), for sprinkling
* Oat streusel topping (recipe below)
* A drizzle of honey or maple syrup
* Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving
**Equipment You’ll Need:**
* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Mixing bowls
* Pastry blender or food processor (optional, but helpful)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Parchment paper (optional, for easy removal)
* Sharp knife or mandoline slicer
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
**1. Prepare the Crust:**
* **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
* **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.
* **Add Ice Water:** Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Add just enough water until the dough starts to come together but is not sticky. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
* **Form the Dough:** Gently press the dough together to form a ball. Divide the dough in half. Flatten one half into a disc and wrap it in plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. The other half should be immediately pressed into the pan.
* **Press into Pan:** Press the remaining half of the dough evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan. You can use your fingers or the bottom of a measuring cup to create a smooth, even crust. Optionally, line the pan with parchment paper before pressing in the crust, leaving an overhang for easy removal of the bars later. This makes clean up much easier.
* **Pre-bake the Crust (Optional):** For a crispier crust, pre-bake it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden. This step helps prevent a soggy bottom crust, especially if your nectarines are very juicy. Let the crust cool slightly before adding the filling. If you choose to skip the pre-baking, the crust will still bake through, but it might be slightly softer. Poking the crust with a fork before baking will also help prevent it from puffing up.
**2. Prepare the Nectarine Filling:**
* **Slice the Nectarines:** Wash, pit, and slice the nectarines into ¼-inch thick slices. Thinner slices will cook down more easily.
* **Combine with Filling Ingredients:** In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced nectarines with the sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using). Make sure the nectarines are evenly coated.
**3. Assemble and Bake the Nectarine Bars:**
* **Pour Filling Over Crust:** Pour the nectarine filling evenly over the prepared crust in the baking pan. Spread the nectarines out so they cover the entire surface of the crust.
* **Crumble the Remaining Dough:** Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Using your fingers, crumble the remaining dough evenly over the nectarine filling. You can create larger crumbles or smaller crumbs, depending on your preference. Alternatively, you can grate the cold dough over the filling using a cheese grater.
* **Add Optional Toppings:** If desired, sprinkle chopped nuts or oat streusel topping over the crumbled dough.
* **Bake:** Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 35-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the nectarine filling is bubbly. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on the bars and adjust accordingly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can tent the pan with aluminum foil.
* **Cool Completely:** Remove the nectarine bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This is important, as the filling will firm up as it cools. If you try to cut them while they are still warm, they will be messy and fall apart.
**4. Serve and Enjoy!**
* **Cut into Squares:** Once the bars are completely cool, use a sharp knife to cut them into squares or rectangles. The size of the squares is up to you, but I usually aim for about 2-inch squares.
* **Dust with Powdered Sugar:** Dust the bars with powdered sugar for a pretty presentation.
* **Serve:** Serve the nectarine bars as is, or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A drizzle of honey or maple syrup would also be delicious.
**Tips for the Best Nectarine Bars:**
* **Use Cold Butter:** Cold butter is crucial for creating a flaky, tender crust. Make sure your butter is very cold before you start.
* **Don’t Overwork the Dough:** Overworking the dough will result in a tough crust. Mix the ingredients until just combined.
* **Chill the Dough:** Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, which will result in a flakier crust. Don’t skip this step!
* **Use Ripe Nectarines:** Ripe nectarines will be sweeter and juicier, resulting in a more flavorful filling. However, avoid using overly ripe or mushy nectarines, as they can make the filling too watery.
* **Adjust Sugar to Taste:** The amount of sugar needed in the filling will depend on the sweetness of your nectarines. Taste a slice of nectarine before adding the sugar and adjust accordingly.
* **Let Cool Completely:** As mentioned above, it’s crucial to let the bars cool completely before cutting them. This will allow the filling to set and prevent the bars from falling apart.
* **Use Parchment Paper:** Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it easy to remove the bars and prevents them from sticking. Make sure to leave an overhang of parchment paper on the sides of the pan.
**Variations and Adaptations:**
* **Other Fruits:** Feel free to substitute other fruits for the nectarines. Peaches, plums, apricots, or a combination of fruits would all work well. You may need to adjust the baking time depending on the fruit you use.
* **Berry Nectarine Bars:** Add a cup of fresh berries (such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries) to the nectarine filling for a burst of flavor and color.
* **Almond Nectarine Bars:** Add a teaspoon of almond extract to the filling and sprinkle slivered almonds on top of the bars before baking for an almond-flavored twist.
* **Spiced Nectarine Bars:** Add a pinch of ground ginger, cardamom, or cloves to the filling along with the cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor.
* **Gluten-Free Nectarine Bars:** Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. You may need to add a little extra liquid to the dough to help it come together.
* **Vegan Nectarine Bars:** Use vegan butter and a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) in place of the butter and egg in the crust. Make sure the sugar you use is also vegan (some granulated sugar is processed with bone char).
**Oat Streusel Topping Recipe:**
This oat streusel topping adds a delicious crunchy texture to the nectarine bars.
* ½ cup all-purpose flour
* ½ cup rolled oats
* ¼ cup packed brown sugar
* ¼ cup granulated sugar
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ cup (½ stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
**Instructions:**
1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the nectarine filling before baking.
**Storage Instructions:**
* **Store:** Store the cooled nectarine bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
* **Freeze:** To freeze the nectarine bars, cut them into squares and wrap them individually in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Let the bars thaw completely at room temperature before serving.
**Serving Suggestions:**
* Serve as a dessert after a summer barbecue or picnic.
* Enjoy as a mid-afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or tea.
* Pack in lunchboxes for a sweet treat.
* Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a more decadent dessert.
* Drizzle with honey, maple syrup, or caramel sauce.
**Nutritional Information (approximate, per serving):**
* Calories: 250-350
* Fat: 12-18g
* Saturated Fat: 8-12g
* Cholesterol: 30-50mg
* Sodium: 100-150mg
* Carbohydrates: 35-45g
* Fiber: 2-4g
* Sugar: 20-30g
* Protein: 3-5g
(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used and portion sizes.)
**Conclusion:**
These sun-kissed nectarine bars are a delightful way to celebrate the flavors of summer. With their easy-to-make crust, juicy nectarine filling, and customizable toppings, they’re sure to become a new family favorite. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of these irresistible treats. Enjoy!
**Enjoy baking and let me know in the comments how they turn out!**