Sweet Buttery Peach Bars (Printable View)
Buttery peach bars with cinnamon streusel topping, perfect for summer desserts and gatherings.
# Ingredient List:
→ For the Crust
01 - 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
02 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ For the Peach Filling
05 - 3 cups (about 4-5 medium) fresh peaches, peeled and diced
06 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
08 - 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
→ For the Cinnamon Streusel
09 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
10 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
13 - 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
02 - In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt, then mix until a crumbly dough forms.
03 - Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
04 - While the crust bakes, combine the diced peaches, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a bowl. Toss gently until the peaches are evenly coated.
05 - In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and cut it in using a pastry cutter or your fingers until large crumbs form.
06 - Remove the crust from the oven. Spread the peach filling evenly over the hot crust, then sprinkle the streusel topping evenly across the surface.
07 - Return to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
08 - Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Lift out using the parchment overhang, slice into 12 bars, and serve.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The buttery crust practically melts under the peach filling and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Cinnamon streusel on top adds a crunchy spiced contrast that makes these bars impossible to eat just one of.
- Fresh summer peaches shine here without needing fancy technique or equipment.
02 -
- Cutting into warm bars will cause the filling to ooze out and leave you with a delicious but messy pile instead of neat squares.
- Using cold butter for the streusel is non negotiable, as warm butter will melt into a paste instead of forming those irresistible crumbly bits.
03 -
- A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg in the streusel adds a subtle warmth that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is.
- Peeling peaches is easiest if you score an X on the bottom, blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then plunge into an ice bath so the skins slip right off.