Contents
- 1 A Recipe from My Summer Kitchen
- 2 The Joy of a Simple Dough
- 3 A Story About Peaches
- 4 Putting It All Together
- 5 Why This Recipe Matters
- 6 Ingredients:
- 7 My Sweet Peach Bars: A Taste of Summer
- 8 Three Tasty Twists to Try
- 9 Serving Your Peach Bars with Style
- 10 Keeping Your Peach Bars Fresh
- 11 Simple Fixes for Common Troubles
- 12 Your Peach Bar Questions Answered
- 13 Until Next Time, Happy Baking!
- 14 Sweet and Buttery Peach Bars with Crust
A Recipe from My Summer Kitchen
I love when summer peaches arrive. They smell like sunshine. This recipe turns them into a wonderful treat.
These bars are sweet and buttery. The crust is golden and crumbly. It is the same dough for the bottom and the top. This makes everything so simple. What is your favorite summer fruit to bake with?
The Joy of a Simple Dough
Making the crust is my favorite part. You mix flour, sugar, and cold butter. It should look like little peas. Then you add the eggs.
The dough will be crumbly, and that is perfect. Do not worry. I still laugh at the first time I made it. I thought I had done it wrong. But this crumbly dough makes the best crust. It matters because simple steps can create the most delicious things.
A Story About Peaches
My grandson once tried to count the peaches on my counter. He gave up at ten. We peeled and diced them together. His little hands were so sticky.
We mixed them with brown sugar and cinnamon. Doesn’t that smell amazing? The lemon juice keeps them tasting bright. This step is important. It brings all the flavors together in a happy way.
Putting It All Together
You press most of the dough into the pan. I wet my fingers with cool water. This stops the dough from sticking.
Then you spread the juicy peaches over it. Crumble the rest of the dough on top. Leave some peach bits peeking out. They look so pretty when baked. Do you like a lot of topping or just a little?
Why This Recipe Matters
This is more than a dessert. It is a way to share goodness. Bringing a pan to a friend can make their whole day better.
*Fun fact:* The lemon zest in the crust is a tiny trick. It makes the sweet peaches taste even sweeter. It matters because small, thoughtful touches make food special. What is a happy food memory you have?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| all-purpose flour | 3¼ cups | For the crust/topping |
| granulated sugar | 1½ cups | For the crust/topping |
| salt | ½ teaspoon | For the crust/topping |
| lemon zest | 1 teaspoon | For the crust/topping |
| unsalted butter | ½ cup | For the crust/topping; chilled and cut into small cubes |
| eggs | 3 | For the crust/topping; lightly beaten |
| fresh peaches | 4 cups | For the filling; peeled and diced into ¾ to 1 inch pieces (approx. 4-5 large ripe peaches) |
| light brown sugar | ¾ cup | For the filling |
| cinnamon | 1 teaspoon | For the filling |
| cornstarch | 1 tablespoon | For the filling |
| fresh lemon juice | 1 tablespoon | For the filling |
My Sweet Peach Bars: A Taste of Summer
Hello, my dear. Come sit with me. Let’s talk about peach bars. They remind me of my grandma’s kitchen in July. The air was always sweet with ripe peaches. I still smile thinking about it.
This recipe is my summer favorite. It is simple and full of joy. The crust is buttery and crumbly. The filling is juicy and warm. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
Let me walk you through it. We will make magic together. Just follow these simple steps. You will have a delicious treat in no time. I promise it is easier than it looks.
- Step 1: First, get your pan ready. Warm up your oven to 350°F. Take your baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Let the paper hang over the sides a little. This little trick makes lifting the bars out so much easier later.
- Step 2: Now, let’s make the dough. Put the flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest in a bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter. Mix it until it looks like little peas. I love the smell of lemon zest. It makes everything feel fresh.
- Step 3: Next, pour in the beaten eggs. Mix it just until a crumbly dough forms. Do not mix it too much. (My hard-learned tip: over-mixing makes the crust tough. A little crumble is perfect!).
- Step 4: Press most of the dough into your pan. Use your fingers to press it down flat. If the dough sticks, wet your fingertips with cool water. This is my favorite part. It feels like playing with sand.
- Step 5: Time for the peaches! Toss them with brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. The cornstarch will thicken all the lovely juices. Doesn’t that smell amazing? What’s your favorite summer fruit? Share below!
- Step 6: Spread the peach mixture over the crust. Then, take the rest of your dough. Crumble it over the top. Leave some peaches peeking through. They look so pretty when they bake.
- Step 7: Bake it for about 45 minutes. Wait until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly. The hardest part is letting it cool completely before you cut it. I still laugh at how impatient I get.
Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 12 bars
Category: Dessert, Snack
Three Tasty Twists to Try
This recipe is like a good friend. It is happy to change things up. You can make it new every time. Here are a few ideas for you.
- Berry Blast: Swap half the peaches for raspberries or blueberries. It becomes so tangy and bright.
- Nutty Delight: Stir a handful of chopped pecans into the crumble topping. It adds a lovely, toasty crunch.
- Gingery Zing: Add a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger to the peach filling. It gives it a little warm spice.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving Your Peach Bars with Style
Now, how should we eat these lovely bars? I have a few thoughts. A simple dusting of powdered sugar looks so elegant. It is like a light snowfall on a golden field.
For a real treat, serve a bar warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream melting on the warm peach filling is pure heaven. A dollop of fresh whipped cream is also wonderful.
What to drink? A glass of cold milk is always perfect. For the grown-ups, a sweet iced tea with a sprig of mint is just right. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Peach Bars Fresh
These bars stay yummy for days. Keep them in the fridge in a sealed container. They will last about four days this way.
You can also freeze them for later. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap. Then pop them all in a freezer bag.
I once brought a whole pan to a summer picnic. The sun made them a bit soft. Now I always keep them cool until serving.
To reheat, just warm a bar in the toaster oven. This makes the crust crispy again. It tastes just like it came from the oven.
Making a double batch is a smart idea. You can enjoy some now and save some for later. This saves you time on a busy day.
Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below! Planning ahead means you always have a sweet treat ready. It makes your kitchen a welcoming place.
Simple Fixes for Common Troubles
Is your dough too sticky? This happens to everyone. Just wet your fingers with cool water.
This will help you press the dough down easily. I remember when my dough stuck to everything. My counter was a mess.
Are your peach bars too runny? Make sure you use cornstarch. It thickens the juicy peach filling perfectly.
Also, let the bars cool completely before you cut them. This patience gives the filling time to set. A perfect slice is worth the wait.
Is the top crust not golden enough? Your oven might be a little cool. An oven thermometer can help you check.
Getting the temperature right makes your food taste its best. A fun fact: peaches are a member of the rose family!
Which of these problems have you run into before? Solving small problems makes you a more confident cook. You will feel so proud of your creation.
Your Peach Bar Questions Answered
Q: Can I make these gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use your favorite gluten-free flour blend. It works very well.
Q: Can I make them ahead of time? A: Absolutely. Bake them a day before you need them. They are still delicious.
Q: What if I don’t have fresh peaches? A: Frozen peaches will work just fine. Thaw and drain them first.
Q: Can I make a smaller batch? A: Sure. Simply cut the recipe in half. Use an 8×8 inch pan.
Q: Is the lemon zest important? A: It adds a lovely bright flavor. But you can skip it if you must.
Which tip will you try first? I love hearing how you make recipes your own.
Until Next Time, Happy Baking!
I hope you love making these peach bars. They always remind me of sunny summer days. My kitchen feels so happy when they are baking.
I would be so thrilled to see your results. It makes my day to see your creations. Sharing food is a way to share joy.
Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! Use our handle @ThornKitchen. I cannot wait to see your beautiful bars.
Happy cooking!
—Elowen Thorn.
Sweet and Buttery Peach Bars with Crust
Description
These sweet and buttery peach bars are packed with juicy peaches and topped with a golden, crumbly crust. The easy dough doubles as the base and topping, and the fresh fruit filling adds the perfect blend of sweetness and spice. Perfect for summer desserts, potlucks, or brunch!
Ingredients
=== Crust/Topping ===
=== Peach Pie Filling ===
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with baker’s spray and line it with a piece of parchment paper, allowing for overhang so you can lift the cooled bars out of the pan to cut. Set aside.
- Add the flour, granulated sugar, salt, lemon zest, and cubed butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low until you get pea-sized pieces of butter in the flour.
- Add the lightly beaten eggs and mix just until a crumbly dough forms.
- Press ⅔ of the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan in an even layer. You can lightly wet your fingertips with cool water to help press the dough into the pan without it sticking to your fingers too much.
- Add the diced fresh peaches, light brown sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a large mixing bowl. Gently stir together until all the peaches are coated in the sugar.
- Spread the peach mixture evenly over the bottom crust layer. Crumble the remaining crust mixture over the top of the peaches. You will want areas of the peaches to be exposed when baked.
- Bake these peach pie bars for 45-50 minutes or until the top crust is lightly golden and the peach pie filling is bubbly. Allow to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For best results, allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.