Heavenly Summer Peach Bars Recipe

The Perfect Heavenly Summer Peach Bars Recipe

When I first pulled these Heavenly Summer Peach Bars from the oven, the sweet, warm aroma of baked peaches and cinnamon filled my kitchen, and I knew they were a winner.

The combination of a soft, buttery crust, a jammy peach filling, and a crunchy oat crumble is pure perfection. They have become my go-to summer dessert for every gathering.

While I love baking sweets, I also enjoy trying new savory dishes; you should explore our guide for the Dark Chocolate Blackberry Cupcakes Recipe for another amazing meal idea.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

Having made these bars countless times, I’ve picked up a few tricks to ensure they turn out perfectly every time.

• Don’t Overmix the Crust: When cutting the butter into the flour, stop when the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough crust instead of a tender, crumbly one.
• Use Ripe but Firm Peaches: For the best flavor, use peaches that are ripe and sweet, but still firm to the touch. Overly ripe or mushy peaches will release too much water and can make the bars soggy.
• Let the Bars Cool Completely: I cannot stress this enough! Patience is key. Letting the bars cool for at least 2-3 hours (or even chilling them in the fridge) allows the filling to set, making them easy to slice into neat squares.

Variations to Try

One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can adapt it to your preferences or dietary needs. It’s a great base for your creative dessert ideas.

• Go Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Ensure your rolled oats are certified gluten-free as well.
• Try Different Fruits: This recipe works beautifully with other stone fruits like nectarines, plums, or apricots. In the fall, try it with apples and an extra dash of cinnamon.
• Add Nuts for Crunch: For extra texture, add about a half cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the oat topping mixture.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use a plant-based butter substitute in place of regular butter to make these bars dairy-free.

You can find more inspiration for creative meals by exploring our other dinner recipes.

Equipment You Need

You don’t need any fancy gadgets to make these peach bars, just a few kitchen staples.

• 9×13-inch Baking Pan: The ideal size for creating bars with the perfect thickness.
• Parchment Paper: Essential for easy removal and cleanup.
• Large Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a couple for mixing the crust and the filling separately.
• Pastry Blender or Forks: To cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients for a flaky crust.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Helps the bars cool evenly and prevents the bottom from becoming soggy.

How to Serve Heavenly Summer Peach Bars

These bars are delightful on their own, but a few simple touches can elevate them into a show-stopping dessert.

• Serve them slightly chilled or at room temperature with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
• For an indulgent treat, add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream.
• A drizzle of caramel sauce or honey pairs wonderfully with the peach flavor.
• If you love experimenting with desserts, consider serving a small bar alongside another treat from our Fireball Whiskey Balls Recipe for a varied dessert plate.

Calories Count

Here is the approximate nutritional information per bar, though it can vary based on your specific ingredients.

• Calories: Approximately 240 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Protein: 3g
• Fat: 10g
• Sugar: 20g

How to Store the Bars

Proper storage will keep your peach bars fresh and delicious for days.

• Restoring: Keep leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen bars in the refrigerator overnight. You can enjoy them chilled or warm them in the oven for a few minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are a few reasons why these Heavenly Summer Peach Bars are sure to become a new favorite.

• Celebrates Summer Flavor: It’s the perfect way to use fresh, seasonal peaches.
• Perfectly Balanced Textures: You get a soft crust, a jammy filling, and a crunchy crumble in every single bite.
• Easy to Make and Share: The recipe uses simple ingredients and steps, making it perfect for bakers of all levels and great for feeding a crowd.
• Customizable and Versatile: You can easily swap fruits or add nuts to make it your own.

More Recipe Details

The beauty of this dessert lies in its simplicity and reliance on the natural sweetness of summer fruit. Don’t be tempted to use canned or frozen peaches; the texture and flavor of fresh peaches are essential for achieving that “heavenly” quality.

When peeling the peaches, you can blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds to make the skins slip off easily. This recipe is forgiving, so don’t worry if your layers aren’t perfect.

Ben Carraoli

Heavenly Summer Peach Bars Recipe

When I first pulled these Heavenly Summer Peach Bars from the oven, the sweet, warm aroma of baked peaches and cinnamon filled my kitchen, and I knew they were a winner. The combination of a soft, buttery crust, a jammy peach filling, and a crunchy oat crumble is pure perfection.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 12

Course: Dessert

Calories: 240

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• For the Crust and Topping
• 2 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the foundation of our buttery crust and crumble.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Gives the crust a slight lift keeping it from becoming too dense.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Adds the classic sweetness to the base.
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed: Provides a deeper, molasses-like flavor and moisture.
• 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, cold and cubed: Using cold butter is key to creating a crumbly, tender texture.
• 1 cup rolled oats: Added to the topping for a wonderful chewy texture and nutty flavor.
• For the Peach Filling
• 4 cups fresh peaches peeled and sliced: Fresh, ripe peaches are the star; their natural sweetness and juiciness are unmatched.
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch: This is our thickener ensuring the filling sets up perfectly without being runny.
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the peaches and helps draw out their natural juices.
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Brightens the flavor of the peaches and prevents them from browning.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds a touch of warmth that complements the peaches beautifully.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger optional: For a little extra spice and warmth, if you like.

Method

 

1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). To make removing the bars easy later on, line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave some paper hanging over the sides to use as handles for lifting the bars out once they have cooled completely.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
3. Take out 1 ½ cups of the crumb mixture and set it aside for the topping. Press the rest of the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. This will form the sturdy base for your peach bars. Bake it for 12 minutes to par-bake the crust.
4. While the crust is in the oven, prepare the delicious peach filling. In a separate bowl, gently toss the sliced peaches with the cornstarch, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and optional ginger. Let this mixture sit for about five minutes to allow the juices to release and the flavors to meld.
5. Remove the partially baked crust from the oven. Carefully spread the peach mixture in an even layer over the warm crust, making sure to include all the delicious juices. Now, take the reserved crumb mixture, stir in the rolled oats, and sprinkle it evenly over the peaches.
6. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes. You’ll know the bars are done when the oat topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbling around the edges. The aroma alone will tell you something wonderful is happening in your oven.
7. Once baked, remove the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for clean slices. If you try to cut them while warm, they will fall apart. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper handles to lift the entire block out of the pan and cut it into 12 bars.