Heavenly Summer Peach Bars
Introduction
Experience the joy of summer in every bite with Heavenly Summer Peach Bars. Bursting with luscious, juicy peaches and nestled atop a buttery, crumbly crust, these bars are the ultimate warm-weather dessert. Their sweet-tart flavor and dreamy textures make them an instant favorite for picnics, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to capture the essence of peak season fruit in a simple, crowd-pleasing treat.
Why You’ll Love Heavenly Summer Peach Bars
What sets these bars apart is their unique ability to balance irresistibly soft, jammy peach filling with a golden, slightly crisp oat topping. The recipe celebrates ripe peaches in their purest form, enhanced by just a touch of spice and lemon for brightness. Easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy, they’re an ideal dessert to prepare ahead—just slice and serve!
Crafting the Perfect Peach Filling
The heart of this dessert is the fresh peach filling. Toss peeled and sliced peaches with a bit of sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. This not only helps retain their vibrant color but ensures a perfectly thickened, syrupy layer that holds its own between the layers of crust and crumble. For a hint of warmth, add a pinch of ground cinnamon or ginger. Rest the peach mixture for a few minutes so the flavors meld and the juices start to thicken.
Easy Layering for the Best Peach Bars
Begin with a press-in shortbread crust as your base. Reserve a portion of the crust mixture and stir in rolled oats and a little more sugar to make a crunchy, crumbly topping. Layer the juicy peaches between the buttery foundation and the caramelized oat crumble—each bite promises a symphony of textures and summery goodness.
Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Heavenly Summer Peach Bars
Let the bars cool completely for tidy slicing. For an extra-decadent treat, dust with powdered sugar or serve with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Fresh mint, whipped cream, or a light drizzle of honey can bring another dimension of flavor and elegance. These bars are wonderful chilled or at room temperature, making them a versatile dessert for any summer gathering.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about 12 bars. Each serving is approximately 220–250 calories based on toppings and portion size. With wholesome oats and real fruit, they’re a sweet way to enjoy seasonal produce while still feeling light and refreshing.
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add cold cubed butter, and cut in with a pastry blender or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Set aside 1 1/2 cups of this mixture for the topping. Stir rolled oats into the reserved topping mixture and set aside.
- Press the remaining crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Bake for 12 minutes, then remove from oven (it will not be fully baked).
- While the crust bakes, prepare the filling: In a bowl, toss sliced peaches with cornstarch, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and ginger (if using). Allow to sit for 5 minutes.
- Spread the peach mixture evenly over the partially baked crust, including any accumulated juices.
- Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the peaches. Return pan to oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the peach mixture is bubbling.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Lift out with the parchment paper and cut into bars.
Weekly Meal Planning
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Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including cooling time)
