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Heavenly Summer Peach Bars Recipe
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.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
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 9x13-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.