Peach Plum Crumble Bars

$- 2 cups ripe peaches, diced - 2 cups ripe plums, diced - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - ½ cup granulated sugar - ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon cornstarch - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour - ½ cup rolled oats - ½ cup packed brown sugar - ½ teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon salt - ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes - 1 large egg When we make Peach Plum Crumble Bars, we need fresh fruit. Ripe peaches and plums create a sweet filling. The lemon juice adds a nice zing to the mix. Sugar balances the tartness of the fruit, making it just right. We also need some basic baking ingredients. All-purpose flour forms the base. Rolled oats add a chewy texture. Brown sugar gives a deeper flavor than white sugar. Baking powder helps our bars rise. Salt enhances all the flavors. Finally, cold unsalted butter is key. It mixes with the dry ingredients to create a crumbly topping. An egg binds everything together. Check the Full Recipe for details on how to combine these ingredients. Enjoy the fresh tastes of summer in every bite! First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab an 8-inch square baking dish. Line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over. This step helps when you remove the bars later. Next, you will prepare the fruit filling. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups of diced peaches and 2 cups of diced plums. Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, ½ cup of granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Gently fold the ingredients together. This helps coat the fruit evenly. Set this bowl aside. Let the fruit marinate while you make the crust. Now, it's time to make the crust and topping. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of rolled oats, ½ cup of packed brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. This mix creates a great base for the bars. Next, add ½ cup of cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry mix. Use a fork or pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour mix. Keep mixing until it looks like coarse crumbs, with some small pieces still visible. Now, add 1 large egg to the mixture. Stir until you form a cohesive dough. Divide the dough in half, and set one half aside. Press the other half evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. This will be your crust layer. Spread the marinated fruit mixture evenly over the crust. Make sure the fruit is spread out well. Now, take the remaining dough and crumble it over the top of the fruit. This creates a nice rustic topping. Place your baking dish in the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and the fruit bubbles. Once baked, remove it from the oven. Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. After that, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. For the full recipe, refer back to the ingredients and detailed steps I provided above. To get the right texture for your crumble, focus on the butter. Use cold, unsalted butter and cut it into small cubes. This helps create a light and airy topping. When mixing, use a fork or pastry cutter. Work the butter into the dry mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Some small chunks should remain. This adds texture and crunch to your bars. For more flavor, consider adding spices or extracts. A pinch of cinnamon pairs well with the fruit. You can also add a splash of almond extract for a nutty taste. If you want a fresh zing, try adding a little orange zest. These small tweaks can make a big difference in taste. After baking, let your bars cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. This helps them set properly. Once cool, lift them out using the parchment paper. Cut into squares for serving. For an extra treat, serve with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. You can also dust the bars with powdered sugar for a pretty finish. Enjoy the mix of sweet, fruity flavors with each bite! {{image_4}} You can change the fruits in these bars. Try using cherries, blackberries, or raspberries. Each fruit brings its own taste and color. Mixing fruits can give you a fun twist. You can also use apples or pears if you prefer. Just remember to adjust the sugar based on the fruit's sweetness. To make Peach Plum Crumble Bars gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour. Use a gluten-free flour blend that works for baking. This will give you a similar texture. Ensure that all other ingredients are gluten-free, like oats. Always check labels to avoid gluten. Want to make these bars vegan? It's simple! Replace the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. Use a flax egg instead of the large egg. To make a flax egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens. These swaps will keep the bars tasty and plant-based. For the full recipe, check the main article. To keep your Peach Plum Crumble Bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. This will prevent them from drying out. Place parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. They can stay at room temperature for up to two days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate them. In the fridge, they will stay good for about a week. Freezing is a great way to save your bars for later. First, let the bars cool completely. Then, cut them into squares. Wrap each square in plastic wrap. After that, place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag. Be sure to remove as much air as possible. Frozen Peach Plum Crumble Bars can last for up to three months. To enjoy your bars warm, reheating is easy. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bars on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10-15 minutes. This will restore their crisp topping and warm the fruit. You can also use the microwave for a quick fix. Heat on low power for about 30 seconds. Enjoy the warm, fruity goodness! Yes, you can use frozen fruit for the bars. Just ensure you thaw and drain the fruit well. This avoids excess moisture in the bars. Frozen peaches and plums work well and save you time. These bars can last up to five days when stored in an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature for the best flavor. If you need more time, refrigerate them, and they can last a week. Absolutely! You can prepare the bars a day ahead. Just bake them, let them cool, and store them in the fridge. When ready to serve, let them sit at room temperature for a bit or warm them slightly in the oven. These bars are great on their own, but they shine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. You can also serve them with a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra sweetness. For more ideas, check out the Full Recipe for Peach Plum Crumble Bars. This blog post guides you to make delicious Peach Plum Crumble Bars. Start with fresh, ripe fruit and a tasty crust. We covered preheating your oven, preparing the filling, and making the crumble. Plus, I shared tips for the best texture and flavor. You can even tweak the recipe for gluten-free or vegan options. Store leftovers correctly to keep them fresh. Enjoy these bars warm or cold, with ice cream or just as they are. Get baking, and delight in the sweet taste of summer fruits!$

Discover the perfect sweet treat with these Peach Plum Crumble Bars! Made with fresh peaches and plums, this easy recipe combines a buttery crumble topping with juicy fruit for a delightful dessert. Follow our simple steps and enjoy a tasty addition to your baking repertoire. Don’t miss out on the chance to impress your friends and family—click through to explore this delicious recipe and elevate your dessert game today!

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Ingredients

2 cups ripe peaches, diced

2 cups ripe plums, diced

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

½ cup granulated sugar

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup rolled oats

½ cup packed brown sugar

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

1 large egg

Instructions

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8-inch square baking dish by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring that the edges overhang for easier removal once the bars are baked.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the diced peaches and plums. Add the lemon juice, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and cornstarch to the fruit. Gently fold the ingredients together until the fruit is evenly coated in the mixture. Set the bowl aside to let the fruit marinate while you prepare the crumble base.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, packed brown sugar, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.

Incorporate the cold, cubed butter into the dry ingredients. Using a fork or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the mixture until the texture resembles coarse crumbs, with some small pea-sized pieces still visible.

Add the large egg to the mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough begins to form. Once combined, divide the dough in half, setting one half aside.

Press one half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the crust layer. Make sure it's packed down firmly for a solid base.

Evenly distribute the marinated fruit mixture over the crust, ensuring all the fruit is spread out for consistent flavor in every bite.

Take the remaining half of the dough and crumble it over the top of the fruit layer to create a rustic crumble topping.

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling delightfully.

Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. After cooling, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the dish and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 1 hr | Servings: 12 bars

- Presentation Tips: For an elegant finishing touch, dust the cooled crumble bars with powdered sugar and serve alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, making for a delightful dessert experience!