Sweet Buttery Peach Bars (Printable)
Tender peach filling on a buttery crust topped with fragrant cinnamon streusel for a luscious homemade treat.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Butter Crust
01 - 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
02 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ For the Peach Filling
05 - 3 cups diced fresh or canned peaches (about 4 medium peaches)
06 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
09 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ For the Cinnamon Streusel Topping
10 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
11 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
14 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt, mixing until the dough just comes together.
03 - Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and set aside.
04 - In a medium bowl, toss the diced peaches with granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until evenly coated. Set aside to macerate while preparing the streusel.
05 - In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir with a fork until the mixture becomes crumbly.
06 - Spread the peach filling in an even layer over the pre-baked crust. Sprinkle the cinnamon streusel topping evenly across the surface.
07 - Bake for 25 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbling at the edges.
08 - Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment overhang to lift the slab out, then cut into 12 even squares.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The buttery crust doubles as a sturdy base that holds together beautifully even when the peach filling gets saucy and warm.
- That cinnamon streusel on top turns golden and crunchy, giving you three distinct layers of texture in every single bite.
02 -
- Cutting these bars while they are still warm will result in a messy, collapsed disaster. Patience here is not optional, it is the entire game.
- The cornstarch needs the heat of baking to fully activate and thicken the filling, so do not skip it or reduce the amount hoping for a juicier result.
03 -
- Toss a handful of toasted chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel mixture for a nutty crunch that takes these bars from great to unforgettable.
- If your peaches are especially juicy, add an extra half tablespoon of cornstarch to the filling to prevent a soggy bottom.