Peach Crumb Bars

These Peach Crumb Bars combine the sweet, juicy flavor of ripe peaches with a buttery, crumbly topping. The balance of textures—soft peach filling and crunchy oat topping—creates a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. With simple, traditional ingredients and a touch of creativity through the addition of a hint of almond extract, these bars are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while being easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh peaches, peeled and chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped peaches, lemon juice, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
4. Pour in the melted butter and mix until crumbly.
5. Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base.
6. Spread the peach mixture evenly over the crust.
7. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top of the peaches.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
9. Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.