Peach Pie Crumb Bars Recipe
These Peach Pie Crumb Bars combine a buttery, crumbly oat crust with a fresh, juicy peach filling, topped with a golden oat-almond crumb and finished with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfectly baked to a delightful balance of sweet and tart, these bars make a fantastic summer dessert or a satisfying snack.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 57 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 17 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 16 bars (cut into 4x4 grid) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Crust and Topping
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/2 cup (43g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- 1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 10 Tablespoons (142g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 Tbsp old-fashioned whole rolled oats (for topping)
- optional: 1/4 cup (about 20g) sliced almonds
Filling
- 1 large egg, cold
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons (11g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- 2 and 1/2 cups (about 400g) chopped fresh peach chunks
Vanilla Icing
- 1/2 cup (60g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 Tablespoon (15g/ml) heavy cream or milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides to easily lift out the bars later. Set aside.
- Make the Crust and Topping Mixture: In a food processor or large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pulse or whisk together. Add cold cubed butter and pulse or cut in until the mixture forms pea-sized crumbs that hold together when pressed. Transfer 1 cup of this mixture to a small bowl, then stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon oats and sliced almonds if using—this is your topping. Set aside.
- Press Crust and Bake: Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove and increase oven temperature to 375°F (191°C).
- Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together egg, granulated sugar, flour, vanilla, almond extract, and lemon zest until smooth. Fold in chopped peaches carefully to avoid breaking them down too much.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the peach filling over the hot crust, then evenly sprinkle the reserved topping mixture on top.
- Bake Completed Bars: Bake for 40–42 minutes or until the topping is lightly browned. Remove and let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 1 hour.
- Chill: Transfer the bars to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days for best slicing results. Cover tightly if chilling longer.
- Cut Bars: Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares with a very sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts for neat edges.
- Make Vanilla Icing: Whisk confectioners’ sugar, cream or milk, and vanilla together in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. Drizzle over the cooled peach pie bars.
- Store: Keep leftover bars tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh, ripe peaches; you can peel them if desired but it’s not necessary.
- The topping can be made with or without sliced almonds depending on preference or allergies.
- Ensure butter is cold when cutting into the flour mixture for better crumb texture.
- Chilling the bars before cutting helps maintain clean slices and prevents the filling from spilling.
- Use a sharp knife and wipe clean after each cut to prevent crumbling and to get neat bars.
- Adjust sugar amount if peaches are very sweet or tart to suit your taste.
Keywords: peach pie bars, crumb bars, peach dessert, summer dessert, oat crust bars, fruit bars, vanilla glaze