The Best Peach Bars with Fresh Peaches (Heavenly Recipe!)

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These incredible peach bars with fresh peaches feature a buttery shortbread crust, a juicy fruit filling, and a crunchy crumble topping for the ultimate summer dessert.

An extreme close-up of a single peach crumble bar on a white plate, with a fork taking a bite and a thin stream of honey being drizzled over the golden-brown crumble topping. — A little drizzle of honey takes these peach bars to the next level.

Hey there! If your kitchen counter is overflowing with gorgeous summer peaches right now, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been making these peach bars with fresh peaches for years, and they are hands-down one of my most requested treats. They have all the comforting, delicious flavor of a classic pie but are so much easier to make, serve, and share. They’re the perfect way to celebrate the best fruit of the season.

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Key Takeaways

So Easy to Make: The steps are simple and straightforward, with a press-in crust and a simple crumble topping. No fuss!
Layers of Flavor & Texture: You get a buttery shortbread base, a jammy, sweet peach center, and a perfectly crisp, cinnamon-sugar topping in every single bite.
The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for summer potlucks, BBQs, or just a Tuesday afternoon treat. They disappear fast! It’s right up there with my classic strawberry rhubarb pie as a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love These Heavenly Summer Peach Bars

That Buttery Shortbread Crust: It’s crisp, sturdy enough to hold, and literally melts in your mouth. You’ll be sneaking bites of the crust alone, I promise.
Juicy, Jammy Peach Filling: The key to the best peach bars with fresh peaches is using fruit that’s perfectly ripe! It bakes down into a sweet, slightly tangy filling that tastes like pure sunshine.
The Perfect Crumble Topping: It’s that perfect mix of crunchy, sweet, and spiced with a hint of cinnamon that makes a fruit dessert so irresistible, much like the topping on my favorite rhubarb crisp.
Showcases Summer’s Best Fruit: This is THE recipe to make when peaches are at their peak. It truly lets their natural sweetness shine.
Hello, Peaches!: And hey, let’s hear it for those beautiful peaches! They’re not just delicious; they’re packed with vitamins A and C and plenty of fiber to keep things feeling wholesome.

A Little Slice of Summer Memory

I still remember the first time I made a version of these bars. Here in Floris, Virginia, the local farm stands were just overflowing with the most incredible Red Haven peaches. You know the kind—the ones that are so juicy the syrup runs down your arm after the first bite. I bought a huge basket with every intention of canning them, but the summer heat got the best of me. I wanted a dessert that felt special but didn’t require an all-day commitment.

I thought about a pie, but I wanted something I could easily pack up for a picnic. That’s when the idea for these peach bars with fresh peaches was born. I tinkered with my favorite shortbread recipe for the crust, and after a few tries, I landed on this perfect version. It’s now a tradition. Every July, when the peaches are perfect, my family knows these bars are coming. If you also find yourself with an abundance of peaches, you have to try these amazing fresh peach fritters too!

Ingredients for Heavenly Summer Peach Bars

Peach Bars with Fresh Peaches ingredients — Using fresh, ripe peaches from right here in Floris, Virginia makes all the difference.

Here’s everything you need to make these incredible peach bars with fresh peaches. I’ve included a few notes on substitutions that work really well.

Ingredient	Notes / Substitutes
All-Purpose Flour	Forms the structure for the crust and topping. A 1:1 gluten-free baking blend can be substituted.
Unsalted Butter	Use cold butter for the crust and melted for the topping. For a dairy-free/vegan version, use a high-quality plant-based butter stick.
Granulated Sugar	Sweetens the crust and the filling.
Brown Sugar	Adds a lovely molasses note to the crumb topping. Light or dark brown sugar both work.
Fresh Peaches	The star of the show! Use ripe, fragrant yellow peaches like `Red Haven` or `Elberta`.
Lemon Juice	Brightens the flavor of the peaches and prevents them from browning.
Cinnamon	Adds a warm, spiced flavor that complements the peaches beautifully.
Vanilla Extract	A splash of vanilla enhances all the other flavors. It’s a key component in so many fruit desserts, like this no-bake apple cheesecake.
Salt	Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need anything fancy to whip these up!

9×9 inch baking pan
Parchment paper
Mixing bowls (a few different sizes)
Pastry cutter or two forks
Whisk or fork for mixing
Spatula
Wire rack for cooling

How to Make Heavenly Summer Peach Bars Step-by-Step

A 2x2 collage of images showing the steps to make Peach Bars with Fresh Peaches: making the crust with a pastry blender, slicing fresh peaches, spreading the filling, and sprinkling on the crumble topping. — A visual guide to making these easy peach bars from scratch!

Let’s walk through how to make these incredible peach bars with fresh peaches step-by-step.

Prep Your Pan and Oven. First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. This little trick is a game-changer for lifting the bars out later.
Make the Crust. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt for the crust. Add the cubes of cold butter and use a pastry cutter or two forks to cut the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized bits remaining.
Press and Pre-Bake. Dump the crumb mixture into your prepared pan and press it down firmly and evenly to create a solid base. Bake for 15-18 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden.
Mix the Peach Filling. While the crust is baking, gently toss the sliced peaches, sugar, flour, lemon juice, and vanilla in a large bowl. Mix until the peaches are evenly coated. Set that aside.
Prepare the Crumb Topping. In another bowl, mix the flour, both sugars, cinnamon, and salt for the topping. Pour in the melted butter and stir until it all comes together into a crumbly, streusel-like texture.
Assemble the Bars. Spread the juicy peach filling evenly over your slightly cooled, pre-baked crust. Now, sprinkle the crumb topping all over the peaches, making sure to cover them completely.
Bake to Perfection. Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the topping is a beautiful golden brown and you can see the fruit filling bubbling up around the edges. Pre-baking the crust is a critical step, and you can read more about how to keep a pie from getting soggy in my dedicated post on the topic.
Cool Completely. This is the hardest part! You must let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. I’m serious—don’t rush this! This allows the filling to set properly so you can get clean cuts.

Expert Tips for the Best Results

Don’t Skip Pre-Baking the Crust. This step is key to ensuring the bottom crust stays crisp and doesn’t get soggy from the juicy peach filling. That soggy bottom? We don’t know her.
Use Ripe but Firm Peaches. This is my number one tip for getting the best texture in these peach bars with fresh peaches. You want peaches that are sweet and flavorful, but not overly mushy.
Let Them Cool! Seriously! I know I said it before, but it’s the most important tip. If you try to cut into them while they’re warm, you’ll have a delicious, gooey mess instead of clean bars. Patience is a virtue here.
The Overhang is Your Best Friend. Leaving that extra parchment paper hanging over the sides of the pan makes it incredibly easy to lift the entire slab of bars out for cutting. It’s a lifesaver for all bar and pie recipes, like my chocolate cherry cream pie.

What to Serve With Heavenly Summer Peach Bars

These bars are honestly perfect all on their own, but if you want to make a full meal of it, they are the ideal dessert after a summery main course.

After a Grilled Dinner: The sweet peachy flavor is a fantastic follow-up to something smoky from the grill, like my Grilled California Avocado Chicken.
A La Mode: A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream melting over a slightly warm bar is pure heaven.
Whipped Cream: A simple dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy touch.

Storing and Reheating Tips

To store your leftover peach bars with fresh peaches, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to keep them longer, they’ll last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They are delicious cold, but if you want to warm one up, a few seconds in the microwave will do the trick.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts
Heavenly Summer Peach Bars
Serving Size: 1 bar (1/16th of recipe)
Calories	275
Total Fat	12g
Saturated Fat	7g
Sodium	150mg
Total Carbohydrate	38g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Total Sugars	23g
Protein	3g

Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods.

FAQs About Heavenly Summer Peach Bars

Do you have to peel peaches for peach bars?

Honestly, I prefer to peel them for the best texture. Peach skin can sometimes become a little tough or chewy after baking. Taking a few extra minutes to peel them results in a much smoother, jammier filling for these peach bars with fresh peaches.

How do you keep peach bars from getting soggy?

The most important trick for keeping these peach bars with fresh peaches from getting soggy is pre-baking the crust! This creates a sealed, crispy barrier between the juicy filling and the buttery base, ensuring a perfect texture every time.

What is the best type of peach for baking?

Freestone peaches, like Red Havens or Elbertas, are fantastic for baking. Their pits come out easily, and they tend to hold their shape well. Look for peaches that are ripe and fragrant but still firm to the touch.

Can I use frozen peaches instead of fresh?

Yes, you absolutely can! Just make sure to thaw the frozen peaches completely and drain off any excess liquid before tossing them with the other filling ingredients. This prevents the bars from becoming too watery.

What meat goes well with peaches?

It might sound surprising, but peaches are amazing with savory dishes! They pair beautifully with grilled chicken or pork chops. The sweetness of the fruit is a wonderful contrast to a smoky, savory main dish like my Grilled Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Chicken.

Final Thoughts

I truly hope this recipe for peach bars with fresh peaches becomes a staple in your kitchen every summer, just like it is in mine. There’s something so satisfying about turning simple, beautiful ingredients into a dessert that makes everyone smile.

If you make them, please leave a comment and a rating below to let me know how they turned out! And if you’re looking for another “heavenly” dessert, you have to try this no-bake Heaven on Earth Cake.

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Happy baking!