How to Make Juicy and Buttery Peach Dessert Bars

You need to try peach dessert bars when you’re in the mood for something fruity, tender, and golden.

These bars have a crumbly shortbread-style crust, a sweet peach filling—made with either fresh or canned peaches—and a light crumble topping that bakes into a soft, jammy square.

You can make them any time of year thanks to canned peaches, but if fresh peaches are in season, I suggest using ripe ones for an extra burst of flavor.

The crust is a simple blend of butter, flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt, pressed into the bottom of a pan and partially baked before layering the peach mixture and crumble.

They’re great chilled, room temp, or slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Recipe Overview

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Ingredients

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Tools You’ll Need (with Alternatives)

• 8×8 inch square baking pan (or 9×9 inch)
• Large mixing bowl (or any deep container)
• Pastry cutter (or fork or clean hands)
• Measuring cups/spoons (or digital scale)
• Parchment paper (or well-greased foil)
• Spatula (or wooden spoon)
• Knife and cutting board (if using fresh peaches)

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How to Make Peach Dessert Bars

These bars come together in three parts: crust, filling, and crumble topping. Here’s how to make each step properly for best results.

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Step 1: Mix the Crust

You need to combine flour, sugar, salt, and cold cubed butter in a bowl.

Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to mix until the texture becomes crumbly, like coarse sand. Set aside ¾ cup of this mixture for topping.

Press the rest into a parchment-lined baking pan to form an even layer.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden, then remove and let cool slightly.

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Step 2: Prepare the Peach Filling

In another bowl, combine sliced peaches with cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Stir gently until coated. If using canned peaches, be sure they are well drained to avoid sogginess.

Let the mixture sit while the crust cools slightly.

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Step 3: Assemble the Layers

Spread the peach mixture evenly over the crust. Then sprinkle the reserved crumble topping across the top.

Press it down very lightly so the topping sticks but still has texture.

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Step 4: Bake the Bars

Bake for 25–30 minutes more, or until the top is lightly browned and the filling is bubbling slightly around the edges.

Let the bars cool completely in the pan—about 1 hour at room temperature.

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Step 5: Slice and Serve

Once fully cooled, lift the bars out using parchment and slice into squares with a sharp knife.

They’re firm enough to hold but still soft inside.

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Decoration & Serving Tips

• Dust the top with powdered sugar for a soft finish
• Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla or peach ice cream
• Add a dollop of whipped cream and fresh mint for presentation
• Drizzle with honey or caramel before serving for extra richness

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Variations to Try

• Peach & Berry Bars: Add a handful of raspberries or blueberries to the peach layer
• Cream Cheese Swirl: Dot 4 oz of softened cream cheese with sugar over the peach filling before baking
• Spiced Peach Bars: Add nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom for warmth
• Streusel Style: Add oats and brown sugar to the topping for a crunchier finish

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Storing Tips

• Store covered at room temperature for 1 day
• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days
• Freeze tightly wrapped slices for up to 2 months; thaw in fridge overnight

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Extra Tips

• If peaches are extra juicy, pat them dry slightly before mixing
• For a firmer base, let the crust cool fully before layering peaches
• Use parchment paper to make lifting and slicing much easier
• Don’t overmix the crumble topping—it should stay crumbly, not doughy

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Common Mistakes & Fixes

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Let’s Bake and Share Peachy Goodness

Peach dessert bars are a great mix of sweet, buttery, and fruity—and they come together without much fuss.

Give them a try and let us know how yours turned out in the comments!