Peach Pie Crumble Bars

These Peach Pie Crumble Bars are the ultimate celebration of summer’s sweetest fruit. Featuring layers of buttery shortbread, juicy peaches tossed with lemon and sugar, and a crisp oat crumble topping, every bite is pure sunshine. The final touch? A silky vanilla glaze drizzled to perfection. Serve chilled or warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a comforting dessert.

Whether you’re looking to wow guests at a summer picnic or enjoy a cozy evening treat, these bars hit the spot. They’re easy to make, beautiful to serve, and made with peak season peaches. The contrast between the crisp edges and tender fruit makes them a delight to eat, and a must-have recipe in any fruit lover’s kitchen.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

Shortbread Base:

• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

Peach Layer:

• 3 cups chopped peaches (about 4-5 large peaches)

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or water)

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

Crumble Topping:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup large flake oats (quick oats or old-fashioned)

• 1/3 cup brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

Vanilla Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 4-5 tablespoons cream or milk

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.

2. Make the Shortbread Base: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Stir in melted butter until a dough forms. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

3. Bake the base for 15 minutes until lightly golden.

4. Prepare the Peach Layer: In a bowl, toss chopped peaches with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch until evenly coated.

5. Make the Crumble Topping: In a medium bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add melted butter and mix until it resembles wet sand.

6. Spread the peach mixture evenly over the baked base. Crumble the oatmeal mixture over top using your hands.

7. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the crumble is golden brown. Cool completely in the pan.

8. Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bars.

9. Slice and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Kcal: 285 kcal | Servings: 12 bars

The Sweet Essence of Summer: Peach Pie Crumble Bars

When summer arrives in full swing, so do the vibrant, juicy fruits that define the season especially peaches. There’s something nostalgic and comforting about the taste of fresh peaches, especially when they’re baked into a buttery, golden treat. That’s exactly what makes Peach Pie Crumble Bars so irresistible. These dessert bars combine the best parts of peach pie and oatmeal crumble, all in a handheld square that’s easy to make and even easier to love.

Peach Pie Crumble Bars are a layered dessert with a sweet shortbread-style base, a thick filling of juicy peaches enhanced by a touch of sugar and lemon, and a crispy oatmeal crumble topping that adds texture and warmth. Finished with a vanilla glaze or enjoyed plain, they offer an indulgent yet approachable way to showcase peak-season peaches.

A Celebration of Seasonal Fruit

What makes this dessert especially meaningful is its deep connection to the summer harvest. These bars truly shine when made with fresh, ripe peaches preferably ones that drip with juice when you bite into them. Using fruit at its peak ripeness not only elevates the flavor but also aligns with sustainable, seasonal cooking.

Many bakers prefer peaches from local farms or growers like BC Tree Fruits, as featured in the original version of this recipe. Grown in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, these peaches are known for their exceptional juiciness, sweetness, and aroma. Supporting local produce also adds a feel good element to your baking, knowing you’re sourcing fresh ingredients responsibly.

Flavor and Texture in Every Bite

The magic of Peach Pie Crumble Bars lies in their contrast of textures and balance of flavors. The base is a tender, buttery shortbread that holds the bar together and offers a subtle, melt in your mouth richness. This layer serves as a neutral backdrop that allows the star ingredient peaches to take center stage.

In the middle is the peach layer. Slightly sweetened and thickened with cornstarch, it’s a bright, fruity contrast to the rich crust and crumble. The peaches break down just enough during baking to become tender and jammy, but still maintain their shape and fresh flavor.

Then comes the crumble topping: a mix of oats, flour, brown sugar, butter, and a pinch of cinnamon. This layer brings a hint of spice and crunch, rounding out the overall flavor profile and giving each bite dimension. The optional vanilla glaze adds a silky sweetness that ties everything together, but the bars are just as delightful without it.

Versatile and Adaptable

While peach is the star, one of the best things about this recipe is how adaptable it is. Don’t have fresh peaches? Canned or frozen (thawed and drained) peaches work just fine. Just be sure to taste and adjust the sugar if using pre-sweetened fruit.

Feel like mixing things up? Try incorporating a handful of blueberries, raspberries, or even thinly sliced nectarines. The basic formula shortbread, fruit, and crumble can be applied to many stone fruits and berries, making this recipe endlessly versatile.

You can also adjust the crumble itself. Add chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for extra crunch, or swap in whole wheat flour for a more rustic flavor. A pinch of nutmeg or ginger in the topping can add warmth and spice to the final product.

Tips for Perfect Bars Every Time

While the recipe is straightforward, a few helpful tips can ensure perfect results:

• Use ripe peaches: The juicier and sweeter, the better. Underripe fruit can lead to bland or mealy texture in the filling.

• Line the pan with parchment paper: This makes it easier to lift the bars out after baking and ensures clean edges when cutting.

• Let them cool fully: These bars set as they cool. Cutting too early will cause the fruit layer to be too soft and the bars to fall apart.

• Chill before slicing: For the cleanest slices, refrigerate the bars for at least an hour after they’ve cooled to room temperature.

• Adjust the glaze to taste: You can make it as thick or thin as you like depending on your drizzle preference. A thicker glaze gives more sweetness and a decorative finish.

How to Serve Them

Peach Pie Crumble Bars are incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. You can enjoy them at room temperature, chilled straight from the fridge, or even slightly warmed in the microwave with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Their handheld size makes them perfect for summer potlucks, BBQs, picnics, or dessert buffets.

They also pair wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee, making them a cozy afternoon treat. You could even cut them into smaller bites and serve them on a dessert board alongside other seasonal sweets.

If you’re entertaining or simply want to present them in a more elevated way, try dusting them lightly with powdered sugar or adding fresh peach slices or mint sprigs on the serving plate.

Storing and Keeping Fresh

These bars store well in the fridge for up to five days in an airtight container. Because of the fruit filling, they’re best kept chilled if you’re making them ahead of time or storing leftovers. The crust will soften slightly in the fridge, but the flavors continue to meld beautifully.

They can also be frozen for longer storage. To do so, let them cool completely, then slice and layer the bars between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

Great for All Skill Levels

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, Peach Pie Crumble Bars are a great project. They don’t require any special equipment, and the technique is accessible to beginners. Yet the finished result feels polished and impressive especially with the golden crumble topping and optional glaze.

These bars also offer a creative outlet. You can experiment with flavor variations, texture tweaks, and presentation ideas while still relying on a dependable core recipe. It’s a great gateway dessert to introduce someone to baking with fresh fruit, working with layered textures, or understanding how flavors balance in a composed dish.

A Dessert That Tells a Story

More than just a dessert, Peach Pie Crumble Bars are a reminder of everything that’s special about summer: the warmth of the sun, the abundance of fresh produce, and the joy of sharing sweet treats with others. Whether you make them as a weekend baking project or a treat for a gathering, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles.

There’s also something nostalgic about this kind of dessert. It captures the essence of homemade, old-fashioned baking, while still feeling modern and versatile enough for today’s kitchens. The smell of peaches and cinnamon in the oven can transport you back to childhood summers and afternoons spent baking with family.

Conclusion: 

Peach Pie Crumble Bars are the kind of dessert that checks every box: simple to make, stunning to serve, and absolutely delicious to eat. Their buttery base, sweet peach filling, and crisp oat topping offer a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Even better, they’re flexible enough to adapt to your preferences or the fruit you have on hand.

Whether you’re celebrating summer’s harvest or just in the mood for something fruity and satisfying, these bars deserve a place in your baking rotation. Keep the recipe close you’ll find yourself returning to it again and again as the peaches ripen and the days get warmer.