Irresistible Peach Raspberry Crumb Bars: Your Perfect Summer Dessert

Indulge in the sweet and tart harmony of fresh peaches and vibrant raspberries, baked into these absolutely irresistible Peach Raspberry Crumb Bars. Featuring a buttery, chewy crust and a glorious crumb topping, these bars are the epitome of summer baking – easy to make, delightful to eat, and perfect for sharing.

Why These Peach Raspberry Crumb Bars Will Be Your New Favorite

These Peach Raspberry Crumb Bars are more than just a dessert; they’re a celebration of summer’s bounty. Each bite offers a captivating blend of textures and flavors that will leave you craving more. Imagine a thick, buttery shortbread-like crust forming the perfect foundation, generously layered with a sweet and juicy fruit filling, then crowned with a delectable, crumbly streusel topping. The magic truly happens when the tartness of the raspberries beautifully contrasts with the luscious sweetness of ripe peaches, creating an explosion of flavor that is both refreshing and deeply satisfying.

What sets these bars apart is their versatility and ease. Unlike a traditional fruit pie or cobbler that often requires a spoon, these handheld delights are ideal for picnics, potlucks, or simply enjoying as an on-the-go snack. They capture all the comforting warmth of a baked fruit dessert, but in a convenient, portable form. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, they transform into an elegant treat, yet they are equally delicious chilled straight from the refrigerator on a hot afternoon.

The Joy of Crumb Bars: A Handheld Delight

Summer is synonymous with fresh fruit desserts, and while I adore a classic Blueberry Almond Crisp, a comforting Fresh Peach Crumble, or a rustic Snickerdoodle Peach Cobbler, there’s something uniquely satisfying about a crumb bar. These bars offer all the textural delight of a crisp or crumble – the soft, bubbling fruit and the crisp, buttery streusel – but in a neat, easy-to-handle package. No plates or forks are strictly necessary, making them the ultimate grab-and-go dessert for any occasion.

Imagine serving these at your next backyard BBQ, a family gathering, or simply enjoying one with your morning coffee. Their portability makes them a fantastic alternative to more delicate desserts. The hearty oat-infused crust and crumble topping ensure they hold together beautifully, delivering a burst of fruity goodness with every bite. It’s the perfect blend of casual comfort and impressive flavor, guaranteed to be a crowd-plepleaser.

Celebrating Summer’s Finest: Peaches and Raspberries

Even when the summer heat is at its peak, my passion for baking never wavers, especially when I can harness the incredible flavors of seasonal fruits. This recipe is a testament to two of my absolute favorite summer fruits: peaches and raspberries. They are truly something special when combined, each bringing their unique character to the table.

Peaches, with their soft, fuzzy skin and incredibly sweet, juicy flesh, embody the essence of summer. When perfectly ripe, their nectarous flavor is unparalleled. Raspberries, on the other hand, offer a delightful tartness and a delicate texture that beautifully complements the peach’s sweetness. Their vibrant color and slightly acidic bite cut through the richness of the crumb topping, creating a balanced and refreshing taste experience. I often enjoy them simply sliced together in a bowl for a quick snack, sometimes with a sprinkle of simple streusel. It was this simple pleasure that inspired me to create these bars – a treat light enough to enjoy even on the warmest days, yet bursting with rich, satisfying flavor. The result? Pure amazingness!

Essential Ingredients and Supplies for Baking Success

Crafting these delectable Peach Raspberry Crumb Bars requires a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients and a few basic kitchen supplies. Understanding the role each component plays is key to achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture.

Key Ingredients:

• Fresh Raspberries: These jewel-toned berries are crucial for their bright, tart flavor, which provides a wonderful contrast to the sweet peaches. While fresh is always best for texture, unthawed frozen raspberries can be used in a pinch; just slightly increase the cornstarch to account for extra moisture released during baking. Feel free to experiment with other berries like blackberries, blueberries, or chopped strawberries for a different twist.
• Fresh Peaches (chopped): The star of the show, peaches bring natural sweetness, moisture, and a tender, juicy texture. For easy peeling, briefly blanch them in hot water for 30-60 seconds, then immediately transfer to an ice bath. The skins will slip right off! Nectarines (no peeling required), apricots, or even mango slices make excellent substitutes.
• Cornstarch: This acts as our thickening agent, ensuring the fruit filling isn’t too watery and holds its shape beautifully within the bars. Always whisk it thoroughly with the sugar before adding to the fruit to prevent clumps.
• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of our crust and crumble, providing essential structure. For dietary needs, a whole wheat flour or a gluten-free flour blend can be used, though texture may vary slightly.
• Old-Fashioned Oats: These contribute a fantastic chewy texture and rustic appeal to both the crust and the crumble topping. Avoid quick oats, as they tend to become too soft and lose that desirable chewiness.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the fruit filling and helps draw out the juices, intensifying the fruit flavor. In the crust and crumble, it contributes to the crisp, golden-brown finish.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and moisture due to its molasses content, which also enhances the chewiness of the crust and topping. Dark brown sugar can be used for an even richer, more pronounced molasses flavor.
• Cinnamon: A warm, aromatic spice that beautifully complements the sweetness of peaches and adds a cozy depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Kosher Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness of the sugars and fruits, enhancing all the other flavors without making the bars taste salty. If using table salt, which is finer and saltier by volume, reduce the amount accordingly.
• Unsalted Butter: The foundation of our rich, flavorful crust and crumble. It binds the dry ingredients and adds a luxurious richness. If using salted butter, reduce the added kosher salt to maintain the flavor balance.
• Large Egg: Acts as a binder in the crust mixture, providing structure and helping the crumb hold together.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract deepens the flavor of the crust and topping, adding a fragrant, sweet note that elevates the entire dessert.

Essential Supplies:

• 13×9-inch Baking Dish: The perfect size for a generous batch of these bars.
• Nonstick Cooking Spray: For easy removal and cleanup.
• Large and Small Mixing Bowls: To prepare the fruit filling and crumb mixture separately.
• Whisk: For thoroughly combining dry ingredients.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Peach Raspberry Crumb Bars

Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of utterly delicious Peach Raspberry Crumb Bars. Precision and care in each stage will ensure a perfect result.

1. Prepare Your Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring all corners and sides are covered. Set it aside.
2. Craft the Fruit Filling: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the fresh raspberries and chopped peaches.
3. Sweeten and Thicken the Fruit: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and cornstarch until fully combined. This step is crucial for preventing clumps of cornstarch. Sprinkle this sugar-cornstarch mixture over the fruit. Gently stir until the fruit pieces are lightly and evenly coated. Set this fruit mixture aside to allow the sugar to start drawing out the juices.

4. Prepare the Crumb Crust Mixture: In another large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients for the crust: the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Ensure they are well combined.
5. Add Wet Ingredients to the Crust: Create a small well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter, the lightly beaten large egg, and the vanilla extract. Stir everything together using a spoon or spatula until just combined and a crumbly mixture forms. Be careful not to overmix.

6. Form the Base: Take approximately two-thirds of the prepared crumb mixture. Press it evenly into the bottom of your greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to create a firm, even layer.
7. Layer the Fruit: Spoon the fruit mixture evenly over the pressed crust. Ensure the fruit is spread from edge to edge.
8. Add the Crumb Topping: Generously crumble the remaining one-third of the crust mixture evenly over the fruit layer. This will form your signature streusel topping.

9. Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the fruit filling is bubbling merrily and the crumb topping has turned a beautiful golden brown.
10. Cool and Serve: This step is critical for perfectly set bars! Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack before attempting to cut them into squares. This allows the fruit filling to set properly and the bars to hold their shape. Once cooled, store them in the refrigerator.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Tips

These Peach Raspberry Crumb Bars are so delicious, they rarely last long! But if you happen to have leftovers, here’s how to keep them fresh and delicious:

• Storing Fresh: Store the cooled bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For the best texture, enjoy them chilled, or let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.
• Warming for Extra Crispiness: If you prefer a warmer, crispier topping, you can gently reheat individual bars in the oven (at 300°F/150°C for 5-10 minutes) or in a toaster oven until warmed through and the topping is crisp.
• Freezing for Later: These bars freeze beautifully! To freeze, first place the completely cooled bars in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, wrap each individual bar tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty plastic bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• Thawing Frozen Bars: To enjoy, simply thaw the frozen bars overnight in the refrigerator. You can then warm them gently if desired, as described above.

Expand Your Baking Repertoire: More Delicious Bars and Brownies

If you’ve fallen in love with these Peach Raspberry Crumb Bars, you’re in for a treat! My collection of The Best Brownies and Bars offers an array of recipes to satisfy every craving. From incredibly chewy and fudgy brownies to nutty, chunky, chocolatey delights, and even impressive no-bake and flourless options, there’s a bar for every occasion and preference. Dive in and discover your next favorite!

I hope you thoroughly enjoy baking and savoring these Peach Raspberry Crumb Bars as much as I do! If you whip up a batch, please snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see your wonderful creations. For more baking inspiration and to connect with fellow baking enthusiasts, join my Friends of The BakerMama group on Facebook. I absolutely love seeing how creative you all get with my recipes! Happy baking!

xoxo,

Peach Raspberry Crumb Bars

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• Author: Maegan – The Bakermama
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 15 servings
• Category: Dessert

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Description

Fresh peaches and raspberries baked into fruity and fabulous bars that have the most irresistible crumb crust & topping.

Ingredients

Fruit Filling:

• 3 cups fresh raspberries
• 3 cups chopped fresh peaches, peeled & seed removed first
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Crust Mixture:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted & slightly cooled
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Make the fruit filling: In a large bowl, add the raspberries and chopped peaches.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the fruit and stir until fruit is lightly coated. Set aside.
4. Make the crust mixture: In another large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Make a well in the center and add the melted butter, beaten egg and vanilla. Stir until well combined.
5. Press two-thirds of the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread the fruit mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble the remaining crust mixture evenly over the top of the fruit.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the fruit is bubbling and the crumbs on top start to brown. Let cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares. Store in the refrigerator.