These Easy Peach Crumble Bars are the perfect summer treat! With juicy peaches and a buttery crumble topping, each bite is a sweet delight. Plus, they are simple to make! 🍑
I love serving these at summer picnics! Everyone gathers around, and I always have to save a piece for myself. Who can resist that golden crumbly goodness? 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Peaches: Fresh, ripe peaches are the star of this recipe! If peaches aren’t in season, feel free to use canned peaches (drained) or frozen peach slices. Just make sure to thaw and drain the frozen ones to avoid excess moisture.
Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness. If you want a dairy-free option, coconut oil or vegan butter also works well in this recipe.
Granulated Sugar: This is for sweetness and helps with texture. You can swap some for coconut sugar or a sugar substitute if you’re cutting back on refined sugar. Just keep in mind that the flavor might change slightly.
Cornstarch: This is optional but helps thicken the peach filling so it’s not too runny. If you don’t have cornstarch, you can substitute with all-purpose flour, but you’ll need a bit more of it.
How Do You Make Sure Your Bars Hold Together Well?
The key to sturdy and delicious peach crumble bars lies in properly mixing and pressing the crust. First, ensure the butter is fully melted, and then mix with sugar and flour until you see crumbly chunks. Keep some moisture in the mix, but it should still hold together when pressed into the pan.
- When pressing the crust into the pan, pack it down firmly. This creates a solid base.
- Spread the peach mixture over the cooled crust evenly to prevent sogginess.
- Let the bars cool completely at room temperature to set up. Cutting them too soon can lead to a crumbly mess!
How to Make Easy Peach Crumble Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Crust and Topping:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Peach Filling:
- 3-4 medium ripe peaches, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening peach filling)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This Easy Peach Crumble Bars recipe takes about 15 minutes of preparation time and 40-45 minutes of baking time. Plus, you’ll want them to cool completely before cutting. Overall, it will take around 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes before you can enjoy these delicious bars!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare Your Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang so you can lift the bars out easily after baking.
2. Make the Crust Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, flour, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until you get a crumbly mixture that holds together when pressed. This will serve as both the crust and topping!
3. Press the Crust into the Pan:
Take about two-thirds of the crumb mixture and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create a solid crust.
4. Prepare the Peach Filling:
In another bowl, mix the diced peaches with brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cornstarch (if you’re using it). Toss everything gently until the peaches are well coated, then spread the peach mixture evenly over the crust.
5. Add the Topping:
Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the peach layer. This will create a nice crumbly topping that bakes up beautifully!
6. Bake to Perfection:
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly.
7. Cool and Cut:
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut them into squares for serving.
8. Enjoy Your Treat:
These peach crumble bars are perfect for summer picnics, BBQs, or a sweet treat at home! If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Enjoy these sweet, crumbly peach bars as a refreshing summer dessert or snack!
FAQ for Easy Peach Crumble Bars
Can I Use Frozen Peaches for This Recipe?
Absolutely! If you’re using frozen peaches, make sure to thaw and drain them first to remove excess moisture. You may want to reduce the brown sugar slightly if the peaches are very sweet.
Can I Make These Bars Gluten-Free?
Yes! To make these bars gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup like regular flour. Just make sure to check that all your ingredients are also gluten-free.
How Long Do the Bars Stay Fresh?
These Peach Crumble Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them; just wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and then foil for up to 2 months.
Can I Add Other Fruits to the Filling?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or even a splash of strawberries with the peaches for a delicious twist on flavor. Just be aware that the consistency might change slightly depending on the fruits used.
