Peach Crumb Bars

Fresh, juicy peaches and a buttery crumb topping are one of those combinations that never go out of style. These Peach Crumb Bars have a tender shortbread-style base, a lightly sweet peach filling, and plenty of golden crumble on top. Every bite is soft, buttery, and packed with fresh peach flavor.

They’re easy enough for everyday baking, yet pretty enough to bring to a summer gathering or weekend brunch. Even better, the same dough creates both the crust and crumb topping, making prep wonderfully simple.

Peaches have been a favorite in American desserts for generations, and for good reason. Their natural sweetness and juicy texture pair beautifully with buttery baked treats. Sometimes the simplest desserts are the ones everyone reaches for first.

Recipe Yield: 12 bars

INGREDIENTS

3 cups peeled and diced fresh peaches, about 4 medium
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp cinnamon
⅛ tsp salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare the pan:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang for easy lifting.

2. Make the crumb mixture:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add the melted butter and vanilla, then stir until soft crumbs form.

3. Press and pre-bake the crust:
Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the prepared pan. Bake for 12 minutes.

4. Prepare the peach filling:
In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. Add the peaches, lemon juice, and vanilla, then gently toss until evenly coated.

5. Assemble the bars:
Spread the peach filling evenly over the warm crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the top, leaving some peaches visible.

6. Bake until golden:
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the peach filling bubbles near the center and the crumb topping is lightly golden.

7. Cool and slice:
Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into 12 bars. For the cleanest cuts, chill for 30 minutes before slicing.

Optional Serving Idea:
Serve chilled, at room temperature, or slightly warmed with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe

• Use ripe but firm peaches: Very soft peaches release excess juice. Slightly firm peaches hold their shape and create cleaner slices.

• Cool completely before cutting: Although it’s tempting to dig in early, cooling helps the filling set and makes the bars much easier to slice neatly.

• Chill for extra clean squares: For bakery-style bars, refrigerate them for 30 to 60 minutes before cutting. The texture becomes even more delicious and easier to serve.