Peach Crumb Bars with Hazelnut Streusel Recipe

by 54 Comments

Peach Crumb Bars with Hazelnut Streusel Recipe

Today is a special day. My eldest son turns 10 and these peach crumb bars are for him. Yesterday we were talking about how “10” is an auspicious year – after all, he can say he’s been alive for a decade. When I reminded him that yesterday was the last time his age was ever going to be in the single digits, a look of melancholy crossed his face. Perhaps we’re both aware that the childhood years are fleeting and a time to be treasured. The past year has brought some changes – he likes to listen to music on the iPod, spending time with friends is something he wants to do more and more often and little sparks of pre-teen attitude have shot out of his mouth (if I had a dollar for every time he rolled his eyes…)

Through all of the changes, however, there is a boy who still asks to snuggle on the couch, who wants to hold my hand while we walk upstairs to bed and who asks to play catch or a game of cards with us. I am grateful for these moments and try to be present in them. I want to remember how his warm little hand feels in mine and I like to watch the sparkle in his eyes when he laughs at his little brother’s jokes.

This is the picture he would want me to show you. He loves sports with a passion and this picture is from a fun afternoon we had as a family, playing water balloon baseball in the backyard.

MMWaterBaseball

This picture, however, is the one that I would choose because it shows a boy who is confident in himself and shows a softness behind his eyes.

MM2

Today, on his birthday, I honor him and his warm heart, his desire to learn, his sense of fun and his compassion. He takes after his dad in many ways, including a love for fruit desserts. Each summer I make a fruit crumb bar. The first summer after I started writing this blog, it was Spiked Blueberry Crumb Bars and last summer it was Summer Cherry & Crystallized Ginger Crumb Bars. With a batch of sweet, juicy peaches sitting on our counter, I couldn’t resist cutting them up and layering them between a crust and topping of hazelnut streusel. What did my 10 year old think? Well, let’s just say they passed the “tween” test. My husband and 7-year old thought they were pretty darn good, too.

The recipe:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Peel the peaches and cut into 3/4-inch pieces. I will be posting a “How to” on peeling peaches tomorrow. I know, I know…cart before the horse and all that.

Peach Crumb Bars 1

In a large bowl, combine the peaches, lemon juice, sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.

Peach Crumb Bars 2

In a separate medium bowl, combine granulated and brown sugars. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Cut in cold butter pieces with a pastry cutter or a fork until the mixture is crumbly. Stir a lightly beaten egg and chopped, toasted hazelnuts into the flour mixture.

Press half of the flour mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the peach mixture over the crust, including the accumulated juices. Sprinkle the rest of the flour mixture over the peaches.

Peach Crumb Bars 3

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is light brown. Left the bars cool on a rack and then place in the fridge to chill. This will make the bars easier to cut and remove from the pan. Cut into 32 squares and serve.

Peach Crumb Bars 4

Other fruit crumb bars:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Spiked Blueberry Crumb Bars
Cookin’ Canuck’s Summer Cherry & Crystallized Ginger Crumb Bars
White on Rice Couple’s Rhubarb Strawberry Crumb Bars
Food for My Family’s Cherry Almond Crumb Bars
The Virtual Goody Plate’s Pink Lemonade Crumb Bars

0.0 rating

Peach Crumb Bars with Hazelnut Streusel

Loading nutrition data...
Total Time

From the kitchen of Cookin Canuck.

Yields 32 bars

Ingredients

  • 5 large peaches
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 tsp cornstarch

Streusel Topping

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (packed) brown sugar
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup chopped hazelnuts

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
  2. Peel the peaches and cut into ¾-inch pieces. In a large bowl, combine the peaches, lemon juice, sugar and cornstarch. Set aside.
  3. For the topping: In a separate medium bowl, combine granulated and brown sugars. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.
  4. Cut in cold butter pieces with a pastry cutter or a fork until the mixture is crumbly. Stir a lightly beaten egg and chopped hazelnuts into the flour mixture.
  5. Press half of the flour mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the peach mixture over the crust. Sprinkle the rest of the flour mixture over the peaches.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is light brown. Left the bars cool on a rack and then place in the fridge to chill. This will make the bars easier to cut and remove from the pan. Cut into 32 squares and serve.

by

 

Ready to create a healthy lifestyle through food, exercise & habits?

Subscribe by email to get recipes, tips and game plans delivered to your inbox!

Comments

  7. Dara- your son is gorgeous. You’re such a wonderful mommy. My baby turned 10 last mth. Your writing made me teary eyed. It’s gone by in a flash. Your peach bars look juicy and delicious:) Happy weekend:) xo

    Reply

  12. Yep, I’m wiping tears from my eyes. Why? Because that was a beautiful tribute to an amazing boy from a mom who has clearly done an amazing job.

    Reply

  18. Darn you, Dara… this post brought tears to my eyes. Maybe its because my own baby is turning 10 in January and your observations about your sons current behavior is so similar to mine. They are growing up too fast!

    Reply

  19. Your son is such a sweet-looking boy. My eldest is only about to turn 7 and I already get the attitude and eyerolls! Great bars, I am a sucker for anything with a crumb.

    Reply

  22. Happy birthday to your dear (not so little) son, so precious the times we have with our children. I have a 9 year old who will be on the cusp in a few years, and an 18 year old on the other end. There were a few teen years that were not so fun (when they realize you really don’t know everything and can’t tell them what to do !), but they come back eventually (or so I’m told!). Enjoy your time with your son. And lovely peach crumb bars by the way 🙂

    Reply

  23. Happy Birthday to the little one! Ten is such an exciting age…then it just starts going downhill when it comes to attitude…haha j/k 🙂

    I love these bars. There is nothing better than fresh peaches…one of my favorite fruits ever!

    Reply

  24. Happy Birthday to him! I vividly remember turning ten and being so excited that I filled two whole hands. Plus all my cool older cousins had already entered the double digit club…needless to say, a monumental birthday. He’s lucky to have such a great mom making him treats like these!

    Reply

  28. Of course, Happy Birthday to your son. May best wishes to him and all your wonderful family:-)
    And of course the recipe is just amazing.
    My family <3's the things like these. So It's my duty to cook them!
    Thank you for sharing and congratulations again!

    Reply

  29. Oh Dara what a great post, my son turned 11 yesterday. I dropped him off at school today and he leaned over and kissed me….at MIDDLE SCHOOL….oh those moments are getting to be fewer (when other kids around) and we recently had the discussion if you can’t tell people you love your mom (or show it)…who are you going to tell them you love….? What a sweet moment.I’m so glad my son is a cuddler…looks for hugs and kisses every day….I hope it never ends!
    My son would love this recipe 🙂 It looks delicious. Loved reading your story!!!

    Reply

  31. Such a sweet post and even though he’s becoming a tweener, he sounds like the best kind of son to have. Still loving and thoughtful. No doubt his parents have a lot to do with how wonderful he is 🙂 xo Those peach crumb bars sound fantastic. On my list…

    Reply

  38. I just adore that photo of him; what a handsome kid! And I have fond memories of my Grandma Goodfellow’s peach cobbler so Peach Crumb Bars sound amazing to me too.

    Reply

  39. Happy birthday to your sweet darling son. This post made me feel a little sad that soon my m will grow up too and prefer to spend time on her ipad and with her friends more than me! off to give her a big wet kiss!

    Reply

  40. What a doll! My “Baby” just turned 24! Was our smallest of 4, 8wks premie, but still 6lbs 1oz 19″–Now 6′ 7″!! He was my tenderheart, which has matured into a generous, and thoughtful gentleman. He makes great Peach Cobbler & loves my Dutch Apple Pie, so I think you have shared a wonderful treat for me to serve for his celebration tomorrow. Just happen to have some luscious fresh peaches–must be a sign!!
    Thanks & HB to your future “Chick Magnet”!

    Reply

  42. Yum. Of course, I just finished processing over 30 lbs of peaches into sauce, jam, chutney and canned peach slices but I’ll head to the fruit stand tomorrow for more to make these. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

  43. These bars look wonderful and peaches are everywhere here in Seattle. I need to make some. Happy belated birthday to your son, time really does fly by. My son turns 9 in a few months and I already see how much he is changing and become his own person….. I would say that there is a part of me that loves it and a part of me that isn’t ready for it. But then I remember I have a 14 month old who I have years with until he’s 10 🙂

    Reply

  46. Happy, happy birthday to your handsome 10 year old!!!

    These crumb bars look phenomenal! Love that the peaches are flanked by a lovely crust and streusel! YUM!

    Reply

  47. Dara these look amazing, and are definitely a perfect way to celebrate a birthday. I love you talk about your son – you can tell just how proud of him you are. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this recipe, you reminded me I wanted to make some shortbread or bars too!

    Reply

  50. Looks delicious, and that’s one handsome boy! I love that you play water balloon baseball…I’m going to have to remember that for next summer.

    Thanks for linking up at A Little Nosh!

    Reply

  52. I made these this weekend with a few small changes and had great success. I used frozen peaches because peaches aren’t in season here and I also added a small container of fresh raspberries to the filling. This recipe is really versatile and I think it would work well with any number of fruits or berries.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe: