Description
Delight in these luscious Peach Pie Bars featuring a buttery crust layered with creamy sweetened cream cheese and topped with a fresh peach filling. Easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion, these bars combine the tangy sweetness of peaches with a rich, tender base that’s baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Dough
- 16 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Peach Layer
- 4 cups sliced fresh or canned/frozen peaches
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons peach juice
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking the peach pie bars.
- Prepare the pan: Line a 15x10x1 inch baking pan with foil, allowing about 4 inches to hang over the short sides. Spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray to facilitate easy removal of the pie bars once baked.
- Mix dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and salt until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating lightly after each addition. Stir in lemon extract, vanilla extract, and then the flour until just combined.
- Form crust: Spread 3 cups of the dough mixture evenly into the prepared pan, pressing it to the edges to form a uniform layer for the crust.
- Prebake crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes, then remove it to cool slightly.
- Prepare cream cheese layer: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. Spread this mixture evenly over the prebaked crust.
- Prepare peach topping: In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch and granulated sugar. Stir in peach juice to dissolve. Gently fold in the sliced peaches, coating them evenly with the mixture. Spread the peach mixture over the cream cheese layer.
- Add remaining dough: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough mixture across the surface of the peaches to create a crumbly topping.
- Bake final assembly: Place the pan on the center rack of the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the topping is set.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack before lifting them out of the pan using the foil overhang. Cut into 16 bars and serve.
Notes
- Use fresh peaches when in season for the best flavor, or frozen/canned peaches can be substituted.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to achieve a smooth layer without lumps.
- Allow the bars to cool completely to ensure clean cuts and proper setting of layers.
- Use non-stick spray on foil to prevent sticking and help with easy removal.
- Peach juice can be reserved from canned peaches or freshly juiced from fresh peaches for best results.
