Peach Crumble Bars

For a quick, easy and  mouthwatering summer treat

try this fruity and buttery peach crumble bars

There is nothing like a bite of a delicious fruit-filled dessert when peaches are in season. Especially when they are as juicy and tasty as this summer. 
I simply love the natural sweetness of the ripe peaches squooshed between two layers of shortbread-buttery flavored crumble. With just the perfect amount of crunchiness coming from the rolled oats mixed in the dough, and gooey-ness from the bubbling juice released by the peaches while baking.  

I posted a similar recipe before for blueberry crumble bars. Just as tempting and as summery. 
I'm now debating about what I love the most. The crumble bursting with blueberries and a hint of lemon flavor, or peaches with a touch of cinnamon... Man oh man, it's not an obvious choice. NOT easy at all.
I guess we don't have to play favorites right now. It's summer after all. Both fruits are readily available and you can try them both.
And now that I think of it, here is a brilliant idea. The next crumble I'll whip up will have blueberries AND peaches. Ha! Problem solved.

I know it's a summer and you don't feel like baking. But when you see how easy and quick this recipe is, you'll want to  turn on your oven to bake these. NOW! No matter how hot and sweaty it's going to get ;)

 

Enjoy :)
This recipe first appeared on Cooking with Manuela in August 2016

 

INGREDIENTS:

YIELD: 8x8 in (20 x 20 cm) dessert, cut in nine squares

1. • For the dough:
     • 4 oz (115 gr) - one stick of unsalted butter, melted
     • 1 ½ cups (225 gr) of all-purpose flour 
     • 1 cup (90 gr) of old fashion, rolled oats
     • ½ cup (100 gr) of sugar
     • ¼ cup packed (50 gr) of brown sugar
     • pinch of salt
     • 1 egg
     • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
     For the filling:
     • 4 medium, or 3 large of fresh peach slices (325 gr no peel/no seed)
     • 1/3 cup (65 gr) of sugar
     • 1 tablespoon  (8 gr) of cornstarch
     • 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 

PREPARATION:

TIME: 1 hour

1. Preheat the oven to 375° F (190° C). Melt the butter in double boiler, or in the microwave for about 40 or 50 seconds. I set the microwave for 30 seconds, check and check every other 10 seconds. Let it cool down.

2. In a bowl, mix the flour, oats, regular sugar, brown sugars and salt.

3. Add the melted butter, vanilla extract and  the egg. Mix until combined. You will get a coarse, crumbly mixture.

4. Move some of the dough to an 8x8 (20x20 cm) pan, covered with parchment paper, or greased with butter and flour. Save about a third of the crumble for the top.

Press the dough to the bottom of the pan, with the back of your spoon (or your hands). Bake at 375° F (190° C) for 10 minutes.

5. In a bowl, combine the peach slices, with 1/3 cup of sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch. Mix.

6. Distribute the peaches evenly over the dough.

Sprinkle the top of the peaches with the remaining dough that was set aside. I like to see bigger pieces of dough on top, so I squeeze the dough in my hand before crumbling it on top.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until lightly golden on top. Let it cool before cutting into squares.