Experience the taste of late summer with these irresistible **brown butter peach crumble bars**. Each bite is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring luscious, perfectly sliced peaches nestled between a rich, buttery shortbread crust and a golden-brown oat crumble topping. The secret weapon in this dessert’s arsenal? Brown butter, infused into both the base and the crumble, lending an unparalleled warm, nutty, and toasty depth that elevates this classic treat to extraordinary heights.
Imagine the comforting embrace of a peach cobbler combined with the delightful chewiness of a shortbread cookie, all conveniently crafted into a portable bar. These peach crumble bars are the quintessential summer dessert, making them an ideal choice for outdoor picnics, vibrant potlucks, or simply as a comforting afternoon indulgence. Their exquisite flavor and satisfying texture will make them a staple in your seasonal baking repertoire, a delightful cousin to beloved apple crumble bars.
For many bakers, stone fruit season truly marks the peak of the culinary calendar. From the sweet tang of peaches and nectarines to the subtle tartness of plums and the vibrant burst of cherries, these seasonal gems offer an endless canvas for creating delectable baked goods. It’s a time when fresh, ripe fruit transforms into culinary masterpieces, each recipe celebrating the unique characteristics of these summer bounties.
While the allure of a classic peach cobbler is undeniable, and a bright cherry upside-down cake is a perennial favorite, there’s a special place in our hearts for a comforting peach crisp, especially when it features a fragrant brown butter topping. Each of these desserts highlights the natural sweetness and juicy tenderness of stone fruits.
Beyond these comforting classics, we also enjoy exploring more refined presentations, such as an elegant peach galette, charming fried peach pies, or a sophisticated stone fruit tart. Truly, with such versatile and flavorful ingredients, it’s nearly impossible to go wrong!
Why You’ll Adore These Brown Butter Peach Crumble Bars
These peach crumble bars aren’t just another dessert; they’re an experience waiting to be savored. Here’s why they’re destined to become your new favorite summer bake:
- The Unmistakable Brown Butter Magic: The inclusion of brown butter isn’t just a detail; it’s a transformative element. By browning the butter until it develops amber hues and fragrant, nutty undertones, we infuse an extra layer of complex flavor throughout every component. You’ll actually see tiny flecks of browned milk solids speckled in the crust, signaling a rich, toasty depth that plain butter simply cannot deliver. This subtle yet profound flavor note makes each bite incredibly memorable.
- A Symphony of Contrasting Textures: Prepare for a delightful textural journey. The foundation of these bars is an ultra-chewy shortbread cookie base, perfectly robust to hold its shape while offering a satisfying bite. Above this, you’ll discover a generous layer of juicy, subtly spiced peaches that are tender without being mushy. Crowning it all is a crisp, golden-brown oat crumble topping, providing a wonderful crunch that beautifully contrasts with the soft fruit and chewy base. This perfect interplay ensures an exciting bite every time.
- Effortlessly Sliceable and Perfectly Portable: One of the many joys of bar desserts is their convenience. These peach crumble bars are designed for easy enjoyment. Chilling them thoroughly after baking is key to achieving impeccably clean edges, making them a breeze to slice into neat, individual portions. This makes them ideal for packing into lunchboxes, serving at parties, or simply grabbing from the fridge for a quick, delicious treat. They are absolutely delicious served cold, straight from the refrigerator, offering a refreshing contrast on a warm day.
- Seasonal Versatility: While peaches shine brightest, these bars are incredibly adaptable. The recipe serves as a fantastic blueprint for any stone fruit you have on hand, allowing you to celebrate the best of what the season offers. This flexibility means you can enjoy a variation of these bars throughout the entire stone fruit season.
- A Crowd-Pleasing Delight: Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, attending a potluck, or simply looking for a dessert to share with family, these peach crumble bars are guaranteed to impress. Their comforting appeal and exquisite flavor profile make them a universal favorite, leaving everyone asking for the recipe.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Peach Crumble Bars
Crafting these delectable bars requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving the desired flavor and texture:
- Unsalted Butter: This is the star ingredient, particularly for the browning process. We start with a generous amount of unsalted butter because the browning process involves simmering, which causes water to evaporate. Using unsalted butter allows precise control over the overall saltiness of the final product. The golden-brown milk solids formed during browning impart a deep, complex, nutty flavor that is irreplaceable.
- All-Purpose Flour: A foundational component, all-purpose flour provides structure and body to every part of this recipe. It’s essential for creating the tender, chewy shortbread crust and forming the perfect crumb for the topping. Additionally, it plays a vital role in thickening the juicy peach filling as the bars bake, ensuring it’s rich and flavorful, not watery.
- Sugars – Granulated and Brown: A combination of both granulated sugar and light brown sugar is used to achieve a balanced sweetness and depth of flavor. Granulated sugar offers clean sweetness, while light brown sugar, with its molasses content, adds moisture, chewiness, and a subtle caramel note, particularly important in the crumble topping and shortbread base.
- Warm Spices – Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These classic autumnal spices, ground cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg, are carefully chosen to enhance and complement the natural sweetness of the peaches. They infuse the fruit layer with a cozy warmth, creating a harmonious flavor profile that is both comforting and inviting, perfectly capturing the essence of late summer.
- Rolled Oats: For the crumble topping, rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats) are paramount. Their thicker, heartier texture creates a wonderfully chewy and substantial crumble, adding significant texture and a rustic charm that distinguishes these bars. Avoid quick oats if you can, as they result in a less satisfying texture.
- Fresh Peaches: The heart of this dessert! Look for sweet, ripe summer peaches that are still quite firm to the touch. This firmness is crucial as it allows the peaches to hold their shape beautifully during baking, preventing them from turning into an unappetizing mush. The peaches are typically sliced with their skin on (for ease and added color), then gently tossed in sugar and spices before being layered onto the brown butter shortbread base.
For a comprehensive list of all ingredients and precise quantities, please refer to the detailed recipe card below.
Creative Substitutions and Delightful Variations
While this recipe is perfect as written, it’s also incredibly versatile, allowing for delightful adaptations to suit your taste or what you have on hand:
- Experiment with Other Stone Fruits: Don’t limit yourself to just peaches! This recipe beautifully accommodates any variety of stone fruit. Consider using juicy nectarines, subtly tart plums, tender apricots, or even pitted cherry halves for a vibrant twist. A mixture of different stone fruits can also create a wonderfully complex flavor profile.
- Boost the Crunch with Nuts: For an added layer of texture and nutty flavor, incorporate ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds into the crisp topping. Toasting the nuts lightly before adding them will enhance their aroma and crunch even further.
- Oat Alternatives: If rolled oats are unavailable, you can use quick-cooking oats in a pinch. However, be aware that the texture of the crumble topping will be softer and less chewy. It will still be delicious, but for the optimal textural contrast, rolled oats are highly recommended.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Adapting this recipe for gluten-free diets is straightforward. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend, such as Bob’s Red Mill. Ensure your chosen blend contains xanthan gum for best results, as it helps with structure.
- Add a Citrus Zest: A touch of orange or lemon zest can brighten the peach layer, adding a fragrant, zesty note that complements the fruit and spices beautifully.
- Spice It Up: Feel free to adjust the spice blend. A small pinch of ground ginger or cardamom can add an interesting warmth and complexity to the peach filling.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Peach Crumble Bars
Follow these detailed steps to create your perfect batch of brown butter peach crumble bars. Each stage is crucial for building the layers of flavor and texture that make this dessert truly special.
One: Begin by browning the unsalted butter in a pan until it achieves a rich, amber color and a fragrant, nutty aroma. Once browned, transfer it to a heat-safe bowl and chill until it reaches a firm, room-temperature consistency, similar to stiff peanut butter. This cooling process is essential for the shortbread base.
Two: Once the browned butter has chilled and softened slightly at room temperature, transfer it to a mixing bowl. Whip the butter until it becomes visibly lighter in color and develops a fluffy, airy texture. This incorporates air, making the shortbread lighter.
Three: To the whipped brown butter, add the sugars, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Mix on medium speed until well combined. Then, gradually add the all-purpose flour, beating on low speed until a crumbly but cohesive dough forms.
Four: Evenly press the brown butter shortbread dough into a parchment-lined 9×13-inch pan, ensuring it covers the entire bottom. This forms the sturdy base of your bars. Par-bake the crust as directed in the recipe to give it a head start and a wonderfully crisp texture.
Hot tip! For easier and more even spreading, drop spoonfuls of the shortbread dough all over the parchment-lined pan before gently pressing it down with your fingertips or the back of a spoon to create a uniform layer!
Five: Prepare your peach layer by slicing the fresh peaches into thin, uniform pieces. In a large bowl, gently toss the peach slices with a mixture of spices, granulated sugar, and a small amount of all-purpose flour. This coating helps to thicken the juices and evenly distribute flavor.
Six: For the crumble topping, combine all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, rolled oats, and kosher salt in a bowl. Pour in the remaining melted brown butter and mix with a fork until cohesive crumbles begin to form. Avoid overmixing; you want distinct crumbles, not a paste.
Seven: Once your shortbread base is par-baked and slightly cooled, evenly sprinkle about one-third of your prepared crumble topping over its surface. This layer will provide additional texture and flavor beneath the peaches.
Eight: Carefully arrange all of the spiced peach slices over the crumble layer. Try to nestle them in as closely as possible, creating an even layer. You can gently press them down to ensure they lay flat and make contact with the crumble underneath.
Nine: Evenly distribute the remaining crumble topping over the peach layer, covering the fruit completely. Bake the bars according to the recipe instructions until golden brown and bubbly. Once baked, allow them to cool completely at room temperature, then transfer to the fridge for thorough chilling.
Ten: After the bars are fully chilled and set in the fridge, carefully lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper sling. Place the entire slab on a cutting board and slice into uniform squares. Your magnificent brown butter peach crumble bars are now ready to be enjoyed!
Expert Tips for Unforgettable Peach Crumble Bars
Achieving bakery-quality peach crumble bars is easier than you think with these insider tips:
- Perfect Brown Butter Consistency: The key to a stellar shortbread base is using brown butter at the right consistency. After browning, ensure it cools until it’s the consistency of stiff peanut butter. If it’s too warm, your dough will be oily; too hard, and it won’t cream properly. You can speed up cooling by placing the bowl in an ice bath, stirring occasionally.
- Choosing the Right Peaches: Select peaches that are ripe, but still quite firm to the touch. They should have a slight give when gently squeezed, but not be overly soft. Peaches that are too ripe will break down excessively during baking, leading to a mushy texture. Firm peaches will retain their shape and offer a pleasant bite.
- Maximize Peach Layer: Don’t be shy when layering the peach slices onto the shortbread base. Arrange them snugly, overlapping as needed, and gently press them down to fill the pan as much as possible. A dense layer of peaches ensures a rich, fruity bite in every bar.
- Patience is Key for Slicing: Resisting the urge to cut into warm bars is paramount! For beautifully neat and clean cuts, the bars *must* be fully chilled in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or ideally 4 hours, after baking. This allows the shortbread and the peach filling to set completely.
- Don’t Overmix the Shortbread: Once you add the flour to the shortbread base, mix it on low speed only until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tougher, less tender crust. A slightly crumbly dough that comes together when pressed is perfect.
- Even Crumble Distribution: When sprinkling the crumble topping, try to distribute it as evenly as possible over the peaches. This ensures every bite gets a perfect ratio of crisp topping, juicy fruit, and chewy crust.
Common Questions About Peach Crumble Bars
While fresh peaches are always recommended for the best flavor and texture, if they are out of season, you can use frozen peaches. Ensure they are fully thawed and any excess juice is drained thoroughly to prevent the bars from becoming soggy. I do not suggest using canned peaches, as they tend to be too soft and will turn to mush during baking, compromising the texture of the filling.
Absolutely, these bars are actually ideal for making ahead of time! In fact, they require a significant chilling period in the refrigerator (at least a couple of hours) to properly set. This setting time is crucial for achieving firm, sliceable bars with clean edges. You can bake them a day in advance, chill them overnight, and then slice and serve.
Yes, these peach crumble bars freeze beautifully! To freeze, ensure the bars are completely cooled and chilled. You can freeze them as a whole slab or individual slices. Wrap them tightly first in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and place them into a freezer-safe zip-top bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply unwrap and thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.
A tough shortbread crust is usually a sign of overmixing the flour. Once the flour is added, mix on the lowest speed until the ingredients are just combined and a crumbly dough forms. Overworking the dough develops gluten, leading to a less tender, more bread-like texture.
Brown butter is ready when the milk solids at the bottom of the pan turn a nutty, golden-brown color and the butter itself has a fragrant, toasted aroma. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent burning. The color should be amber, not dark brown or black, which indicates burning.
Storage & Serving Suggestions for Your Crumble Bars
Proper storage is essential to keep your peach crumble bars fresh and delicious. Store the bars in an airtight container or lightly covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. While they are delightful served cold directly from the fridge, you can also let them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to take the chill off for a slightly softer texture.
To extend their shelf life, these bars are excellent for freezing. Wrap the entire slab or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and place into a zip-top freezer bag. They will keep well in the freezer for 2-3 months. To enjoy, unwrap the frozen bars and thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving. For an extra treat, consider gently warming a thawed bar in the microwave for a few seconds and serving it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream!
More Irresistible Dessert Bar Recipes You’ll Love
- Toasted Marshmallow Rice Krispie Treats with Brown Butter
- Easy Blueberry Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust
- S’mores Bar Recipe
- Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars
Important Notes When Baking with The Cozy Plum
- All recipes developed here at The Cozy Plum are meticulously tested using Diamond Crystal kosher salt, which is known for being the least salty variety of kosher salt. If you are using Morton’s kosher salt or sea salt, you will need to reduce the amount of salt in the recipe by half, as these varieties are approximately twice as salty. Please refrain from using standard table salt, as it can significantly alter the flavor profile and salinity.
- For the most accurate and consistent baking results, we highly recommend baking by weight using a digital kitchen scale. While our recipes often provide measurements in both US customary cups and metric units, weighing ingredients ensures precision that volume measurements cannot always achieve.
- You might notice options to scale recipes (e.g., ‘1X’, ‘2X’, ‘3X’ buttons) in our recipe cards. Please note that while these adjust ingredient quantities, they do not automatically modify baking times. When scaling a recipe, be mindful that cooking durations, especially for larger batches, may require adjustment.
Made these delightful peach crumble bars? We’d love to hear about it! Share your creations with us by tagging @thecozyplum on Instagram & Facebook, and don’t forget to leave a **star rating** ⭐️ below!
📖Recipe: Brown Butter Peach Crumble Bars
Brown Butter Peach Crumble Bars
By Callan Wenner
These peach crumble bars are a sublime summer dessert, featuring juicy sliced peaches layered between a rich, chewy brown butter shortbread crust and a golden brown sugar oat crumble. They are wonderfully versatile and can be enjoyed cold straight from the fridge, or slightly warmed with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Chill Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 5 hrs 15 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 bars
Calories: 268 kcal per serving (estimate)
Equipment
- 9×13-inch pan
- Parchment paper
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment, or handheld mixer
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
Butter for Browning
- 1 ¾ cups (or 3 ½ sticks) unsalted butter
Shortbread Base
- 1 cup browned butter, room temperature
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla paste or extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Peach Layer
- 4-5 medium peaches, halved, pitted, and sliced ⅛” thick (see notes for selection)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Crumble Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup tablespoon browned butter, melted
Instructions
Browning the Butter
- Cut the unsalted butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and add to a large, light-bottomed pan over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt completely, then begin to bubble and foam. Stir the butter frequently with a rubber spatula to prevent sticking and burning. Continue cooking and stirring until the milk solids at the bottom of the pan turn a rich, amber color and the butter emits a distinct nutty aroma. Be vigilant to avoid burning.
- Once the butter is perfectly browned, immediately remove it from the heat and transfer it to a heatproof bowl. Scrape all the flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan into the bowl, as these bits are crucial for the brown butter flavor. Place the bowl in the fridge to cool down more quickly. Stir the butter every 10 minutes or so until it reaches the consistency of stiff peanut butter. An alternative is to place the bowl into a larger bowl filled with ice cubes and stir until cooled.
Shortbread Base
- Preheat your oven to 300℉ (150℃). Line the bottom and sides of a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with a parchment paper sling, leaving an overhang on the longer sides. This will make it easy to lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan after baking and cooling.
- Add 1 cup of the room temperature browned butter (at the stiff peanut butter consistency) into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld mixer). Beat on high speed for about 4 minutes until the butter appears pale in color and becomes light and fluffy. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl midway through.
- Add the light brown sugar, vanilla paste or extract, and kosher salt to the whipped butter. Continue mixing on medium speed for one minute until fully incorporated, again scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly combined.
- Gradually add the 2 cups of all-purpose flour to the mixture. Mix on low speed just until the flour is incorporated and the dough begins to come together. The dough will initially look crumbly, but it will form a soft, slightly sticky mass—this is the correct consistency and indicates you haven’t overmixed it.
- Evenly scatter small pieces of the shortbread dough all around the prepared pan. Using your fingertips or the back of a spoon, gently press the dough into an even layer, extending it to all edges of the pan.
- Bake the shortbread base for 15 minutes at 300℉ (150℃) until lightly golden. Remove it from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool slightly. While it cools, increase the oven temperature to 350℉ (175℃).
Peach Layer
- While the shortbread crust is par-baking and cooling, prepare your peaches. Halve, pit, and slice the peaches into thin ⅛-inch thick pieces (you can leave the skin on for ease and a rustic look). In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced peaches with ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Gently toss until all the peach slices are evenly coated.
Crumble Topping
- In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cup packed light brown sugar, 1 cup rolled oats, and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Pour in the ½ cup of melted browned butter and mix with a fork until the ingredients are just combined and form distinct crumbles. Avoid overmixing, as you want a crumbly texture.
- Sprinkle approximately one-third of the prepared crumble topping evenly over the par-baked shortbread base. This creates a delightful layer under the peaches. Then, carefully arrange all of the spiced peach slices over this crumble layer. Try to layer them in slightly overlapping horizontal lines, nestling them in as much as possible. You can gently press down on the peaches with your hands to create a more compact layer.
- Once the peaches are arranged, sprinkle the remainder of the crumble topping evenly over the peach layer, ensuring the fruit is mostly covered.
- Bake the peach crumble bars for 30 minutes at 350℉ (175℃), or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is visibly bubbly.
- After baking, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature. This step is crucial for the bars to set. Once cooled to room temperature, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, ideally 4 hours, or even overnight. This chilling period ensures the bars are firm and easy to slice cleanly.
- Once fully chilled and set, use the parchment paper sling to gently lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the slab into 12 or more (up to 24) squares, depending on your desired serving size. Serve and enjoy!
Video Guide
A video tutorial for making these Brown Butter Peach Crumble Bars would typically be displayed here. Please refer to the written instructions for detailed guidance.
Notes
The browned butter for both the base and topping can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Before using it for the shortbread base, ensure it comes to room temperature and softens to the consistency of stiff peanut butter.
When selecting peaches, look for ones that are relatively firm with a slight give. This will allow them to hold their shape during the baking process and provide a good texture. Overly ripe peaches tend to turn to mush when baked.
For convenience and a rustic aesthetic, I prefer to keep the peach skins on. However, if you prefer a smoother texture, you can certainly peel the peaches before slicing.
Store any leftover bars, covered loosely or in an airtight container, in the fridge for 3-4 days. They are delicious served cold, but you can also let them sit at room temperature for a short while to take the chill off before enjoying. For an extra treat, gently warm a slice and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutritional Information (Estimate Per Serving)
Calories: 268 kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Cholesterol: 31mg
Sodium: 149mg
Potassium: 85mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 22g
Vitamin A: 442IU
Vitamin C: 1mg
Calcium: 22mg
Iron: 1mg
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.