Description
Homemade peach and cream cheese bars bring Southern charm to summer desserts. Creamy layers merge with fresh peaches, creating a delightful treat that highlights seasonal fruit and comforting textures you will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (750 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400 g) sugar
- 1 cup (226 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 21 oz (595 g) peach pie filling
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- 0.5 cup (100 g) sugar
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 2 tbsps milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- Base Layer: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, then gradually incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and homogeneous.
- Flour Incorporation: Sift flour and salt, gently folding into the wet ingredients to create a consistent batter, being careful not to overmix.
- First Layer Assembly: Spread half the batter evenly across the prepared pan, creating a uniform base for the subsequent layers.
- Cream Cheese Layer: Whip cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until silky smooth and lump-free, then carefully spread over the initial batter layer.
- Fruit Topping: Distribute peach pie filling evenly across the cream cheese mixture, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Final Layer: Dot the remaining batter across the peach filling in small clusters, creating a rustic, textured surface.
- Baking Process: Bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring for golden edges and a set center.
- Cooling and Finishing: Allow bars to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour, then create a delicate glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract.
- Serving: Drizzle glaze decoratively over cooled bars, slice into squares, and serve.
Notes
- Butter Softening Tip: Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, even mixing and better integration with other ingredients.
- Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing batter to prevent tough, dense bars; mix just until ingredients are combined.
- Cream Cheese Smoothness: Beat cream cheese mixture thoroughly to eliminate lumps for a silky, consistent texture.
- Baking Doneness Check: Look for golden edges and a slightly firm center to indicate perfect baking; avoid overbaking to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 308
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 136 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg