These Easy Peaches and Cream Crumble Bars are a sweet treat you won’t want to miss! With juicy peaches and a creamy layer, topped with a crunchy crumbly topping, they’re simply delightful.
You can enjoy these bars warm or cold, and trust me, they make for a perfect snack or dessert. I always love serving them with a scoop of ice cream on the side. Heaven! 🍑🍦
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: This is key for rich flavor. If you don’t have unsalted, you can use salted butter, but just reduce the added salt in the recipe.
Granulated Sugar: Standard white sugar works best for sweetness. You can also use brown sugar for a deeper flavor or coconut sugar for a healthier option.
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese gives that creamy layer a nice tang. If you want a lighter option, Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese can be good substitutes.
Peaches: Fresh peaches are fantastic, but if they’re out of season, canned peaches (drained) or frozen ones (thawed and drained) will work just fine. Adjust the sugar as necessary.
Cinnamon: While optional, it adds a warm spice to the peaches. You can experiment with nutmeg or even allspice if you want to switch it up.
How Do You Make Sure the Crumble Bars Hold Together?
The most important step is mixing the crust and crumble just until combined. Over-mixing can make them tough. When pressing the crust into the pan, ensure it’s compacted well, so it holds together when baked!
- Use softened BUT not melted butter to keep the mixture crumbly.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting; this helps them set more firmly.
- Use a sharp knife for cutting to get nice, clean lines.
Finally, if your peaches are really juicy, consider draining them a bit after chopping to prevent soggy bars. Enjoy the baking adventure!
Easy Peaches and Cream Crumble Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- For the Crust and Topping:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for the cream layer)
- For the Peach Filling:
- 2 cups fresh or canned peaches, peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for sprinkling on peaches)
Time Needed:
This recipe will take about 15-20 minutes for prep and 40-45 minutes for baking, plus cooling time. You’ll want to let them cool completely in the pan, about an hour, before cutting. Overall, you’re looking at approximately 2 hours from start to enjoying your delicious bars!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare the Pan
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Greasing or lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper will help the bars come out easily after baking.
2. Mix the Base
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until it’s nice and fluffy. This mix should resemble a light-colored cream. Add the vanilla extract and give it a good mix to incorporate it all.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your butter-sugar combo, mixing until it’s crumbly. Remember to set aside about 1 ½ cups of this mixture for the crumble topping! You’ll use that later.
4. Form the Base Crust
Now, take the remaining crumb mixture and press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. This will form the crust for your bars. Use your fingers or the back of a measuring cup to compact it well.
5. Make the Cream Cheese Layer
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 3 tablespoons of sugar until it’s smooth and creamy. Spread this delightful cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust that you just formed.
6. Add the Peaches
If you like a hint of spice, toss your diced peaches with a little cinnamon (if using) for added flavor. Spread the peaches evenly over the cream cheese layer to create a fruity filling.
7. Top with Crumble
Time to sprinkle that reserved crumb mixture evenly over the peaches—this is the crumble topping that adds a delicious crunch!
8. Bake!
Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the bars feel set. You can check the edges, which should look firm.
9. Cool and Cut
Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This usually takes about an hour. Once cooled, cut them into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife.
10. Serve & Enjoy!
Your Easy Peaches and Cream Crumble Bars are ready to be enjoyed! They’re delicious served warm or chilled, and they also store well in the fridge. Perfect for sharing with friends and family!
These bars offer a delightful blend of flavors—each bite has a buttery crust, a rich cream layer, sweet peaches, and a crunchy topping. Enjoy your baking!
FAQ
Can I Use Frozen Peaches Instead of Fresh?
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen peaches! Just make sure to thaw them and drain any excess moisture before dicing them to avoid making the bars soggy.
Can I Substitute the Cream Cheese?
Sure! If you’re looking for a lighter alternative, you can use Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese. Both offer a creamy texture and will work well in this recipe.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the bars for longer storage; just wrap them well in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Can I Make These Bars Vegan?
Yes, to make these bars vegan, substitute the butter with a plant-based butter, use a vegan cream cheese alternative, and replace the eggs with a flaxseed meal or applesauce to bind the mixture if necessary.
