Peaches and Cream Crumble Bars

The perfect blend of creamy, fruity, and buttery textures, these Peaches and Cream Crumble Bars are a decadent dessert that captures the essence of summer. The base is a rich, golden crust that’s both crisp and tender, topped with a layer of luscious cream cheese filling and juicy, sweet peaches. Finished with a generous crumble topping, each bite delivers contrast and harmony all at once.

Whether you’re using fresh summer peaches or high-quality canned ones, this dessert offers a comforting yet elegant experience. Ideal for picnics, brunches, or an afternoon treat with coffee, these bars not only look beautiful but also taste like they were made in a professional bakery. Serve chilled for a firmer bite or warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent twist.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Crust and Crumble:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

For the Cream Layer:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Peach Layer:

2 1/2 cups diced fresh or canned peaches (drained if canned)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Add flour and stir until crumbly.
Press about two-thirds of the crumble mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust.
Bake crust for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool slightly.
Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
Spread the cream cheese layer evenly over the slightly cooled crust.
In another bowl, toss diced peaches with cornstarch, sugar, and cinnamon (if using). Spoon peaches over the cream cheese layer.
Crumble the remaining dough mixture over the top.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the center is set.
Let cool completely before slicing into bars. Chill in the refrigerator for a firmer texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes
Kcal: 285 kcal | Servings: 16 bars

Peaches and Cream Crumble Bars – A Deliciously Nostalgic Dessert

When summer rolls around and juicy peaches flood the market, there’s nothing more comforting and delicious than a dessert that lets those sweet, golden gems shine. Peaches and Cream Crumble Bars are a celebration of simplicity and flavor, a delightful cross between a fruity cobbler, a creamy cheesecake, and a classic cookie bar. With layers of buttery crust, tangy cream cheese, and soft peaches topped with a crumbly finish, these bars are the ultimate indulgence for fruit dessert lovers.

This dessert is especially cherished because it brings together the warmth of home baking and the elegance of a bakery treat. Whether you grew up picking peaches straight from the tree or grabbing a can from the pantry, there’s something about the flavor of peaches and cream that feels inherently nostalgic. These bars capture that emotion perfectly.

Why You’ll Love These Crumble Bars

There’s so much to appreciate about this recipe. First, it uses basic pantry staples, flour, butter, sugar, and cream cheese—making it a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on taste. Second, it’s incredibly versatile. Whether you have fresh peaches during peak season or need to rely on canned or frozen peaches in the colder months, this recipe adjusts beautifully to your ingredients. And third, it’s an easy yet impressive dessert that looks elegant enough for gatherings but is simple enough for everyday cravings.

From a texture standpoint, the bars are layered to perfection. The bottom crust is buttery and firm, holding the weight of the cream cheese and peach filling. The middle layer, the creamy vanilla cream cheese, is luscious and rich, perfectly balancing the sweetness of the fruit. And then there’s the crumble topping, which adds a golden crunch and a rustic, handmade look that makes these bars irresistible.

The Best Peaches for Baking

While canned peaches are incredibly convenient (especially if you’re short on time or out of season), there’s something unbeatable about the flavor of fresh peaches in this recipe. Their natural sugars caramelize slightly in the oven, intensifying their flavor and adding a lovely contrast to the creamy layer. If you can, opt for ripe, yet firm peaches that won’t release too much moisture during baking.

If using canned peaches, always make sure to drain them well and gently pat them dry with paper towels to avoid soggy layers. Frozen peaches also work in a pinch, just make sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before adding them to your filling mixture.

Cream Cheese Filling: The Dreamy Middle Layer

One of the most luxurious parts of these bars is the cream cheese layer. Think of it like a simplified cheesecake, no water baths, no springform pans, no waiting overnight to set. It’s rich, tangy, and lightly sweetened, which complements the natural sugars of the peaches perfectly.

For best results, make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smooth, lump-free filling. A splash of pure vanilla extract rounds out the flavor beautifully.

Crumble Topping: A Golden, Buttery Finish

What takes these bars from good to great is the crumble topping. Made from the same dough as the crust, this shortcut method saves time and still delivers that crave-worthy crumb texture. It’s buttery, tender, and lightly crisp on top, adding just the right amount of texture to every bite.

Want to take it to the next level? You can sprinkle a little brown sugar or a pinch of cinnamon into the topping for added warmth and depth of flavor. Chopped nuts like pecans or almonds can also be added if you want a crunchier bite and a nutty finish.

How to Serve These Bars

These crumble bars are extremely versatile when it comes to serving. You can enjoy them slightly warm from the oven for a gooier, cobbler-like experience, or chill them in the refrigerator for clean, firm squares that make for a perfect dessert bar. Either way, they’re delicious on their own or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or even a dollop of whipped cream.

They also make excellent potluck or picnic desserts. Since they travel well and can be sliced into neat squares, they’re perfect for sharing at gatherings, bake sales, or brunches.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Another reason to love these bars? They store beautifully. You can make them a day ahead, refrigerate overnight, and serve them chilled the next day with no loss in flavor or texture. In fact, many people find the flavor develops even more after resting in the fridge for a few hours.

To store leftovers, simply place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage, just wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Variations and Customizations

While peaches are the star of this recipe, you can easily adapt the bars to other fruits or flavor profiles depending on what you have on hand. Try these delicious variations:

Peach & Raspberry Crumble Bars: Add a handful of fresh raspberries to the peach layer for a pop of color and tartness.
Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars: Swap out peaches for fresh or frozen blueberries.
Apple Cinnamon Bars: Use spiced apple slices in place of peaches for a cozy fall twist.
Strawberries and Cream Bars: Sweet, juicy strawberries create a spring-friendly version of this recipe.
Lemon Peach Bars: Add a little lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for a citrusy lift.

You can also play around with the crust by using whole wheat flour for a nuttier base or adding oats to the crumble topping for a granola-inspired texture.

Tips for Success

Use parchment paper to line your baking dish, it makes lifting and cutting the bars so much easier.
Chill before slicing for cleaner edges and a firmer texture.
Don’t skip the cornstarch in the peach layer, it helps thicken the juices and prevents sogginess.
Let your cream cheese soften before mixing to avoid lumps in the filling.
Taste your fruit first especially if using canned peaches. Adjust the sugar in the filling depending on how sweet or tart they are.

Conclusion

Peaches and Cream Crumble Bars are one of those timeless desserts that strike a perfect balance between elegance and simplicity. They’re easy enough for beginner bakers, yet impressive enough to serve at special occasions. The combination of sweet peaches, creamy vanilla filling, and buttery crumble topping creates a dessert that’s comforting, nostalgic, and absolutely irresistible.

Whether you’re baking them for a summer picnic, a brunch spread, or a quiet evening at home, these bars are sure to become a family favorite. With their layered textures and rich flavors, they offer everything you want in a homemade dessert, sweetness, softness, and just the right amount of crunch. Try them once, and you’ll be coming back for seconds… and maybe thirds.

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