PEACH BARS: HEAVENLY & EASY

I can almost smell my grandmother’s kitchen when I think about these bars. Every summer, when the peaches were at their peak, she’d whip up a batch, and the sweet, buttery aroma would fill the entire house. Now, I get to carry on that tradition and share it with you. Today, I’m sharing all my secrets for the most amazing Easy Heavenly Summer Peach Bars – Buttery & Fruity you’ll ever make!

Easy Heavenly Summer Peach Bars: A Slice of Sunshine

Get ready to experience a taste of summer heaven with these incredibly Easy Heavenly Summer Peach Bars. They’re the perfect treat for a sunny afternoon picnic, a backyard barbecue, or simply when you crave a burst of fresh, fruity flavor. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a staple in your summer baking repertoire. They are buttery, fruity, and melt in your mouth.

These bars are more than just a dessert; they’re a celebration of summer’s bounty. The combination of a crisp, buttery crust, a sweet and juicy peach filling, and a hint of almond extract creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. And the best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make! So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Absolutely Love These Peach Bars

• Simple & Quick: This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy techniques. You can whip up a batch in under an hour.
• Bursting with Fresh Peach Flavor: Using fresh, ripe peaches makes all the difference. Their natural sweetness and juicy texture shine through in every bite.
• Buttery & Delicious: The buttery shortbread crust perfectly complements the sweet peach filling, creating a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a summer party or simply want a sweet treat to enjoy at home, these peach bars are a crowd-pleaser.
• Customizable: You can easily adapt this recipe to your liking by adding different spices, nuts, or even a crumble topping.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to create these heavenly bars. Don’t worry, it’s a pretty standard list, and you probably have many of these items in your pantry already!

For the Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (170g) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

For the Peach Filling:

• 4 cups (about 4-5 medium) fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but highly recommended!)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions: Let’s Bake!

Okay, get ready for some serious peach bar deliciousness! Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll be enjoying a warm, buttery treat in no time.

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is crucial for even baking.
2. Prepare your baking pan. Grease and lightly flour an 8×8 inch baking pan. You can also line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang, for easy removal.
3. Make the crust. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
4. Cut in the butter. Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You should still see small pieces of butter.
5. Press the crust into the pan. Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to firmly compact the crust.
6. Bake the crust. Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
7. Prepare the peach filling. While the crust is baking, prepare the peach filling. In a large bowl, combine the sliced peaches, sugar, flour, lemon juice, almond extract (if using), and cinnamon (if using). Gently toss to coat the peaches evenly.
8. Assemble the peach bars. Once the crust is baked, remove it from the oven. Pour the peach filling evenly over the warm crust.
9. Bake the peach bars. Return the baking pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden brown. The peaches should be tender and cooked through.
10. Cool completely. Let the peach bars cool completely in the baking pan before cutting into squares. This is important because the filling will firm up as it cools, making it easier to slice. I know it’s hard to wait, but trust me, it’s worth it!
11. Serve and enjoy! Once cooled, cut the peach bars into squares and serve. They’re delicious on their own, or you can top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Success Tips for Perfect Peach Bars

Want to guarantee peach bar perfection? Here are a few of my top tips for success. Follow these, and you’ll be amazed at the results!

• Use Cold Butter: This is essential for creating a flaky and tender crust. Make sure your butter is straight from the refrigerator. You can even freeze it for 10-15 minutes before using.
• Don’t Overmix the Crust: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough crust. Mix just until the butter is incorporated and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Use Ripe, but Firm Peaches: The best peaches for baking are ripe but still slightly firm. Overripe peaches will be too mushy and will make the filling watery.
• Adjust Sugar to Taste: The sweetness of peaches can vary depending on the variety and ripeness. Taste the peaches before adding sugar to the filling and adjust the amount accordingly.
• Let the Bars Cool Completely: This is the most important tip! The filling needs time to set up properly. If you cut the bars while they’re still warm, they’ll be messy and difficult to handle. Be patient!

Variations & Additions: Make it Your Own!

One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can customize it to your liking. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Add a Crumble Topping: For an extra layer of texture and flavor, sprinkle a crumble topping over the peach filling before baking. Combine 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cold butter, and a pinch of cinnamon. Crumble the mixture over the peaches.
• Use Different Spices: Experiment with different spices to complement the peach flavor. Nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom would all be delicious additions.
• Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds over the peach filling for a nutty crunch.
• Use Different Extracts: Instead of almond extract, try vanilla extract or even a hint of maple extract.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.

Serving Suggestions: The Perfect Peach Bar Experience

These peach bars are delicious on their own, but here are a few ideas to elevate your peach bar experience:

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream: The warm peach bars and cold ice cream create a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.
• Top with whipped cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a touch of elegance and richness.
• Dust with powdered sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a beautiful finishing touch.
• Pair with a cup of coffee or tea: These peach bars are the perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Make-Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Bake Now, Enjoy Later!

These peach bars are great for making ahead of time. You can prepare the crust and peach filling separately and assemble them just before baking. You can also freeze the baked bars for longer storage.

Make-Ahead Instructions:

• Prepare the crust: You can make the crust up to 2 days in advance. Press it into the baking pan, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator.
• Prepare the peach filling: You can also prepare the peach filling up to 1 day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Assemble and bake: When you’re ready to bake, simply remove the crust and filling from the refrigerator and assemble the bars as directed.

Freezing Instructions:

• Bake and cool completely: Bake the peach bars as directed and let them cool completely in the baking pan.
• Cut into squares: Cut the cooled bars into squares.
• Wrap individually: Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap.
• Place in a freezer-safe container: Place the wrapped squares in a freezer-safe container or bag.
• Freeze for up to 2-3 months: Freeze the peach bars for up to 2-3 months.
• Thaw before serving: To thaw, remove the bars from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

These bars would be amazing served with a light and refreshing PEACH SALAD. And for a different twist on fruity bars, be sure to try these BLUEBERRY BOYFRIEND BAIT BARS. If you’re looking for another way to use those summer peaches, why not try baking a PEACH COBBLER or an OTHER PEACH COBBLER? And for a cool treat, these PEACHES AND CREAM POPS are fantastic! For an even easier cobbler option check out the EASIEST PEACH COBBLER EVER.

Recipe: Easy Heavenly Summer Peach Bars

Here’s the complete recipe, all in one place, for your convenience:

Yields: 9-12 bars

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 45-55 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (170g) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

For the Peach Filling:

• 4 cups (about 4-5 medium) fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but highly recommended!)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and lightly flour an 8×8 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
3. Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
5. Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
6. While the crust is baking, prepare the peach filling. In a large bowl, combine the sliced peaches, sugar, flour, lemon juice, almond extract (if using), and cinnamon (if using). Gently toss to coat the peaches evenly.
7. Once the crust is baked, remove it from the oven. Pour the peach filling evenly over the warm crust.
8. Return the baking pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
9. Let the peach bars cool completely in the baking pan before cutting into squares.
10. Cut the peach bars into squares and serve. Enjoy!

Final Thoughts: A Peach of a Dessert!

So there you have it! My foolproof recipe for Easy Heavenly Summer Peach Bars. I truly hope you love these as much as my family and I do. They’re a little slice of sunshine on a plate, perfect for celebrating the flavors of summer. Happy baking, my friends! And don’t forget to share your creations with me – I can’t wait to see your peach bar masterpieces!