Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the bountiful harvest of fresh fruits, and one of the best ways to do so is with a delicious dessert that highlights their natural sweetness. Enter Peach Crumble Bars—a dessert that combines the juicy goodness of peaches with a creamy filling and a buttery crumble topping. These bars are easy to make, delightful to eat, and sure to become a summer favorite in your household. In this post, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know to create these delectable treats.
The Charm of Summer Desserts
There’s something truly magical about summer desserts. The warm weather beckons us to indulge in light, refreshing, fruity sweets that capture the season’s essence. From berry tarts to citrusy sorbets, summer desserts are all about celebrating the vibrant flavors of the season. One fruit that stands out is the peach. Juicy, sweet, and slightly tangy peaches are a quintessential summer fruit that can elevate any dessert.
Why I Love These Peach Crumble Bars
So, why should you make peach crumble bars? For starters, they offer a delightful mix of textures and flavors. Imagine biting into a bar with a buttery crumble base, a luscious cream cheese filling, a layer of sweet peach jam, and a crunchy topping. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite.
Peach crumble bars are also incredibly versatile. They’re perfect for a wide range of occasions, whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, attending a picnic, or simply looking for a sweet treat to enjoy at home. They’re easy to transport and can be enjoyed at room temperature, making them an ideal dessert for outdoor gatherings.
Unlike most crumble bar recipes, this one uses peach jam. I like anything that makes life easy for me – and using jam will do just that.
What you need to make these crumble bars
Sugar – In this recipe, sugar plays a sweet role, and we need 3/4 cup in total, used in two parts. The first part goes into the crumble base and topping, giving them a delightful sweetness. The second part sweetens the creamy filling just enough without being overpowering. This way, every bite has the perfect balance of flavors.
All-Purpose Flour – Flour is the main player in our crumble base and topping, providing the structure that holds everything together. We use 2 cups of all-purpose flour to ensure our bars have a tender, crumbly texture. It’s just the right amount to create a delicious, buttery base that pairs perfectly with the creamy filling and peach jam.
Baking Powder – the baking powder, helps give the crumble a slight lift. This creates a light and airy texture in the topping, which contrasts beautifully with the denser cream cheese filling and the sweet peach jam. It’s a small but mighty addition!
Salt – Salt might seem like a small ingredient, but it’s crucial for enhancing all the flavors. It makes the overall taste more rounded and satisfying.
Butter – Melted butter is what binds our crumble mixture together, adding a rich and delicious buttery flavor. We use 3/4 cup of melted butter to ensure the crumble base is moist and flavorful. It’s the key to achieving that perfect texture that pairs so well with the creamy filling and fruity jam.
Cream Cheese – Cream cheese is the star of the filling, offering a smooth and tangy contrast to the sweet peach jam. Using 12 ounces of softened cream cheese ensures that the filling is rich, creamy, and easy to spread over the crumble base. This creamy layer is what makes each bite so satisfying.
Sour Cream – the sour cream makes the filling makes it even creamier and adds a slight tang that balances the sweetness. The sour cream helps create a smooth, velvety texture, making the filling irresistible and complementing the other flavors perfectly.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is a flavor booster in this recipe. The vanilla extract add a warm, aromatic note to the cream cheese filling, elevating its flavor and making the overall taste more complex and delicious.
Large Egg – a binder for the cream cheese filling, helping it set properly during baking. It adds richness and ensures the filling is firm yet creamy, making the bars easy to slice and serve. It’s the secret to that perfect texture in the filling.
Peach Jam – Peach jam provides the sweet, fruity layer that makes these bars extra special. The jam’s natural sweetness and vibrant flavor are the perfect complement to the creamy filling and buttery crumble. Each bite is a harmonious blend of tastes and textures, making these bars a true summer delight.
Peach crumble bars - a delectable taste of summer
Ingredients
Sugar Mixture:
- 3/4 cup sugar divided
Crumble Base and Topping:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter melted
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 1 1/2 cup cream cheese softened at room temperature
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Peach Layer:
- 1 1/4 cup peach jam
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
Prepare Crumble Base and Topping:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3/4 cup of sugar (reserving 1/4 cup for later), 2 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Add the melted butter and stir until the mixture becomes crumbly. Set aside about 1 cup of this mixture for the topping.
- Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even layer.
Prepare Cream Cheese Filling:
- In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the reserved 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of sour cream, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and the egg. Beat until well combined and smooth.
Assemble the Bars:
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pressed crumble base.
- Dollop the peach jam over the cream cheese layer and gently spread it out to create an even layer.
- Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the peach jam layer.
Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cream cheese layer is set.
Cool and Serve:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
- Serve and enjoy!
Do you have other crumble bars in mind?
One of the joys of baking is the ability to get creative and make a recipe your own. Here are a few ideas to customize your peach crumble bars:
Different Jams: Try using different fruit jams like raspberry, blueberry, or apricot for a new twist. Each jam will bring its unique flavor profile, giving you a different delicious experience every time.
Spices: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the crumble mixture for a warm, spiced flavor. These spices can enhance the sweetness of the peaches and add a comforting aroma to the bars.
Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these bars suitable for those with gluten sensitivities. There are many excellent gluten-free flour options available that work just as well.
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Lower Sugar: Reduce the sugar content by using a sugar substitute or by cutting back on the amount of sugar in the recipe. You can also opt for a low-sugar or no-sugar-added peach jam. This way, you can enjoy the bars without worrying about the extra sugar intake.
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So, what are you waiting for? Grab some fresh peaches or a jar of your favorite peach jam, and get baking! Once you’ve tried these peach crumble bars, you’ll see why they’re destined to become a summer favorite in your home.
Don’t forget to share your creations and any variations you try in the comments below. I love hearing about how others put their unique spin on this recipe. Happy baking!
These Peach Crumble Bars look delicious just from the picture. The recipe’s instructions are clear and easy to follow. I can’t wait to make them this weekend.
Umm the recipe is nothing short of amazing! These crumble pies look delectable to say the least!