PEACH BARS: HEAVENLY & EASY

I can almost smell my grandma’s kitchen just thinking about it, the sweet scent of peaches baking filling every corner. She always made the most incredible peach desserts, but her peach bars were legendary – simple, yet bursting with summer flavor. I’ve tweaked her recipe over the years, and now I’m thrilled to share it with you! Get ready to bake the most amazing Easy Heavenly Summer Peach Bars; they will become a fast family favorite!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Peach Bars

Seriously, these aren’t just peach bars. They are *sunshine* in a square! Let me tell you *why* they’re so amazing:

• Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these in your pantry already. No fancy ingredients needed!
• Easy to Make: This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers. The steps are straightforward, and I’ll guide you through everything.
• Bursting with Peach Flavor: We’re using fresh (or frozen!) peaches to create a truly authentic summer taste.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: From potlucks to picnics to a simple weeknight dessert, these bars are always a hit.
• Adaptable: Feel free to customize the recipe with your favorite toppings or spices. I’ll give you some ideas later!

The Secret to Perfect Peach Bars: The Ingredients

Let’s talk ingredients! Using quality ingredients makes all the difference. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Crust:

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the crust. I recommend spooning and leveling your flour for accurate measurements.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crust.
• Cold Unsalted Butter: This is KEY! Cold butter creates flaky layers in the crust. Cut it into small cubes before using.
• Pinch of Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

For the Peach Filling:

• Fresh or Frozen Peaches: If using frozen, thaw them slightly and drain off any excess liquid.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the peaches and helps them release their juices.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the peach filling, preventing it from becoming too runny.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and acidity, balancing the sweetness of the peaches.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice, complementing the peach flavor.

Optional Topping (but highly recommended!):

• Rolled Oats: Adds texture and a nutty flavor to the topping.
• Brown Sugar: Creates a caramel-like sweetness in the topping.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps bind the topping ingredients together.
• Cold Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a crumbly topping.
• Chopped Pecans or Walnuts: Adds crunch and a nutty flavor. (Optional, but delicious!)

Step-by-Step Instructions: Let’s Bake!

Okay, let’s get baking! Don’t be intimidated – I’ll walk you through each step. Remember, it’s all about having fun in the kitchen!

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
3. Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add it to the flour mixture.
4. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You want to see small pieces of butter still visible.
5. Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13 inch baking pan. Press firmly to create an even layer.
6. Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. This par-baking helps prevent a soggy bottom!

Step 2: Make the Peach Filling

1. While the crust is baking, prepare the peach filling.
2. In a large bowl, combine the sliced peaches, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and cinnamon.
3. Gently toss the ingredients together until the peaches are evenly coated. The peaches will start to release their juices – that’s perfect!

Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Peach Bars

1. Remove the par-baked crust from the oven.
2. Pour the peach filling evenly over the crust.
3. If making the topping, in a separate bowl, combine the rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, and chopped nuts (if using).
4. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the peach filling. If you didn’t make the topping, you can sprinkle a little extra sugar and cinnamon over the peaches.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly. Keep an eye on it – you don’t want the topping to burn!

Step 4: Cool, Cut, and Enjoy!

1. Let the peach bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This is important! If you cut them while they’re still warm, they’ll be too soft and messy.
2. Once cooled, cut into bars and serve.
3. Enjoy your heavenly peach bars! A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is *highly* recommended.

Success Tips for Perfect Peach Bars

Okay, here are my top tips to guarantee you bake perfect peach bars every single time! These are the little things that make a *big* difference.

• Use COLD Butter: I can’t stress this enough! Cold butter is essential for a flaky crust and a crumbly topping. Freeze the butter for 10-15 minutes before using if you have time.
• Don’t Overmix the Crust: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough crust. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
• Adjust Sugar to Taste: Depending on the sweetness of your peaches, you may need to adjust the amount of sugar in the filling. Taste the filling before adding it to the crust and add more sugar if needed.
• Let Them Cool Completely: Seriously, resist the urge to cut into them while they’re still warm! Cooling allows the filling to set and the bars to hold their shape.
• Make Ahead Tip: You can assemble the bars ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. This is great for parties or when you want to get ahead of the game!

Variations and Additions: Make Them Your Own!

Now, let’s get creative! This recipe is a blank canvas for your imagination. Here are some ideas to customize your peach bars:

• Add Spices: Experiment with different spices like nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom. A pinch of ground cloves would also be delicious!
• Use Different Fruits: While this recipe is for peach bars, you can easily substitute other fruits like apples, blueberries, or raspberries. A mix of peaches and raspberries would be amazing!
• Add Nuts: Mix chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds into the crust or topping for added crunch and flavor.
• Drizzle with Glaze: Once the bars have cooled, drizzle them with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice.
• Add a Hint of Almond Extract: A tiny splash of almond extract in the peach filling will enhance the peach flavor and add a touch of sophistication.

Serving Suggestions: The Perfect Pairings

These peach bars are delicious on their own, but they’re even better when paired with the right accompaniments. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Vanilla Ice Cream: A classic pairing that never disappoints. The cold ice cream complements the warm peach bars perfectly.
• Whipped Cream: A dollop of homemade whipped cream adds a touch of elegance and richness.
• Greek Yogurt: For a healthier option, serve with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt. It adds a tangy contrast to the sweetness of the bars.
• Coffee or Tea: These peach bars are the perfect afternoon treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.
• PEACH LEMONADE RECIPE: For a complete peach-themed experience, serve these bars with a refreshing glass of PEACH LEMONADE RECIPE! It’s the ultimate summer combination.

Other Delicious Summer Dessert Ideas

If you’re looking for more easy and delicious summer dessert ideas, be sure to check out these other recipes:

• For a patriotic celebration, try the FIREWORKS OREO CHEESECAKE BARS. They’re festive, fun, and incredibly delicious!
• If you’re craving something fruity and creamy, the Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake is the easiest dessert ever and is always a crowd-pleaser.
• Looking for a showstopping dessert? The Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Roll is sure to impress.
• For a taste of Southern comfort, you can’t beat Fried Peach or Apple Pies. They’re irresistible handheld treats!
• And if you’re after a quick and easy treat for the kids (and adults!), the Chocolate-Dipped Banana Bites are always a hit.

Recipe: Easy Heavenly Summer Peach Bars

Here’s the complete recipe for your convenience. Print it out, save it to your phone, and get ready to bake some magic!

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Peach Filling:

• 4 cups sliced fresh or frozen peaches (thawed and drained if frozen)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Optional Topping:

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press two-thirds of the mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
3. Make the Peach Filling: In a large bowl, combine sliced peaches, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Toss gently.
4. Assemble and Bake: Pour peach filling over the baked crust. If making the topping, combine rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, butter, and nuts (if using). Sprinkle over the peach filling. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
5. Cool, Cut, and Enjoy: Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Conclusion: Baking Memories, One Peach Bar at a Time

And there you have it! My recipe for Easy Heavenly Summer Peach Bars, straight from my kitchen to yours. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I do, and that they bring as much joy to your family as they have to mine. Remember, baking is all about love, patience, and a little bit of butter. Happy baking!

Heavenly Easy Peach Bars

Amelia

These peach bars are bursting with summer flavor, featuring a buttery crust, juicy peach filling, and optional crumbly oat topping. This easy recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking pan
• Large bowl
• Medium bowl
• Whisk
• pastry blender or fork
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Oven
• Knife
• Cutting board

Ingredients

  

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 4 cups sliced fresh or frozen peaches thawed and drained if frozen
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Cut in 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You want to see small pieces of butter still visible.
• Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13 inch baking pan. Press firmly to create an even layer.
• Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
• While the crust is baking, prepare the peach filling. In a large bowl, combine 4 cups sliced peaches, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
• Gently toss the ingredients together until the peaches are evenly coated.
• Remove the par-baked crust from the oven.
• Pour the peach filling evenly over the crust.
• If making the topping, in a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, and 1/4 cup chopped nuts (if using).
• Cut in 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Sprinkle the topping evenly over the peach filling.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly.
• Let the peach bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
• Once cooled, cut into bars and serve.

Notes

For best results, use very cold butter for both the crust and topping. Freezing the butter for 10-15 minutes before using can help. If your peaches aren’t very sweet, adjust the amount of sugar in the filling to taste. These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For a variation, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the peach filling or topping. A scoop of vanilla ice cream complements the warm peach bars perfectly.