These Easy Peach Crumble Bars are a delicious treat with juicy peach filling and a buttery crumble on top. They’re sweet, fruity, and perfect for dessert or a snack!
Honestly, the smell of these baking is almost as good as eating them! I love serving them warm with a scoop of ice cream on the side. Your taste buds will thank you! 🍑
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Flour: All-purpose flour is perfect for these bars. If you need a gluten-free option, almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend can work too, but the texture may vary.
Peaches: Fresh peaches shine in this recipe. If they’re out of season, canned peaches in juice (not syrup) will do, just make sure to drain them well. Frozen peaches are also a good option if you let them thaw and drain excess moisture.
Butter: Unsalted butter adds a rich flavor. If you prefer a dairy-free option, coconut oil or a plant-based butter can be used.
Sugar: Granulated sugar for sweetness is necessary, but you could replace it with coconut sugar or a sugar substitute for a healthier version, keeping in mind the flavor may change slightly.
How Can You Get the Perfect Crumble Texture?
Achieving a perfect crumble is all about your techniques during preparation. Here’s how to get it right:
- Use cold butter! It helps create that crumbly texture. Cut it into the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Don’t overmix the dough—mix until it just comes together. You want some chunks for that crumble topping.
- Reserve enough crumble for the topping; this creates a balanced texture between the crust and the topping.
When baking, keep an eye on the bars to ensure they’re golden on top, which indicates they’re perfectly baked. Happy baking! 🍑
Easy Peach Crumble Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- For the Base and Topping:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Peach Filling:
- 3 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (or canned peaches, drained)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- Optional:
- Additional cinnamon, for sprinkling
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15-20 minutes to prepare and 45-50 minutes to bake. After baking, let it cool completely before cutting, which takes about 30 minutes. Overall, you’re looking at about 1.5 hours from start to finish before you can enjoy the delicious bars.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare the Pan:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking and make for easy removal later.
2. Make the Base and Crumble:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until combined. Using a pastry cutter or two forks, cut in the cold cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This will create the base and crumble topping.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients:
In a small separate bowl, beat the eggs with the vanilla extract until blended. Add this egg mixture to the flour mixture, gently mixing with a spatula until a crumbly dough begins to form. Remember to reserve about 1 ½ cups of this dough for the topping!
4. Form the Crust:
Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create a nice crust. This will be the foundation for the peach layer.
5. Prepare the Peach Filling:
In another bowl, combine the sliced peaches, brown sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Gently mix until the peach slices are well coated with the sugar and cornstarch mixture.
6. Assemble the Bars:
Spread the peach filling evenly over the prepared crust. Take the reserved crumble dough and sprinkle it evenly over the peach layer, making sure to cover it well. If you want, add a little extra cinnamon on top for that extra flavor.
7. Bake and Cool:
Pop the pan in the oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the peach filling is bubbling. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan for about 30 minutes.
8. Cut and Serve:
Once cooled, you can cut these delicious bars into squares. They are delightful on their own, but pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream takes them to the next level! Enjoy your Easy Peach Crumble Bars!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use Frozen Peaches Instead of Fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen peaches work well in this recipe. Just be sure to thaw them first and drain any excess moisture to avoid a soggy filling.
How Can I Store Leftover Peach Crumble Bars?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just thaw and enjoy when ready!
Can I Make This Recipe Vegan?
Yes, you can make this vegan! Substitute the eggs with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tbsp water) and use a plant-based butter. The crumble will still be delicious!
What Can I Use Instead of Cornstarch?
If you don’t have cornstarch on hand, you can substitute it with an equal amount of arrowroot powder or even all-purpose flour, keeping in mind that the texture may vary slightly.
