Cinnamon Peach Crumble Bars

Introduction:

Cinnamon Peach Crumble Bars are a delightful dessert that blends the sweet, juicy flavors of ripe peaches with a warm, spiced crumble topping. These bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, a luscious peach filling infused with cinnamon, and a crumbly topping that provides a perfect textural contrast. Ideal for summer gatherings or as a dessert to share, these bars bring the comforting flavors of peach pie into a simple, handheld treat.

Ingredients:

For the crust and crumble topping:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for topping)

For the peach filling:

• 4 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (or canned, drained)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

For the crust and crumble:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Make the crust: In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Add the flour and stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Press the crust: Press about ⅔ of the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing firmly to form an even layer. Set the remaining mixture aside for the crumble topping.
4. Bake the crust: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

For the peach filling:

1. Prepare the peaches: In a medium bowl, toss the sliced peaches with sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until the peaches are evenly coated.
2. Layer the filling: Spread the peach mixture evenly over the pre-baked crust.

For the crumble topping:

1. Add cinnamon to crumble: Stir 1 teaspoon of cinnamon into the reserved crumb mixture.
2. Top the peaches: Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the peach layer, ensuring the peaches are mostly covered but some are peeking through.

Bake:

1. Bake the bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly.
2. Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares.

Conclusion:

Cinnamon Peach Crumble Bars are a delicious way to showcase the fresh, vibrant flavors of peaches with the warm spice of cinnamon. The buttery crust, sweet peach filling, and crumbly topping make these bars an irresistible treat. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert, or enjoy them on their own as a delightful snack or dessert for any occasion!