Peach and Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

Irresistible Peach and Cream Cheese Bars Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Peach and cream cheese bars represent a mouthwatering fusion of summer’s sweetest stone fruit and rich, velvety dairy.

Sweet peaches nestled against a creamy backdrop create a symphony of contrasting textures that dance across your palate.

These elegant bars change ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert with surprising complexity.

Soft and tender, they offer a perfect balance between fruity brightness and decadent smoothness.

The combination suggests comfort and sophistication simultaneously, appealing to both home bakers and dessert enthusiasts.

Each slice promises a delightful sensory experience that feels simultaneously familiar and innovative.

Prepare to change your ordinary afternoon into a celebration of flavor.

Helpful Tips for the Best Peach and Cream Cheese Bars

  • Choose Fresh Peaches: Select ripe, sweet peaches for maximum flavor and natural sweetness in your bars.
  • Smooth Cream Cheese Technique: Allow cream cheese to soften at room temperature for exactly 30 minutes before mixing to ensure a silky, lump-free cheesecake layer.
  • Even Batter Distribution: Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread batter uniformly, creating consistent texture throughout the dessert.
  • Prevent Soggy Bottom: Dust the first batter layer with a light sprinkle of flour before adding the cream cheese mixture to help maintain a crisp base.
  • Cooling is Crucial: Let bars cool completely at room temperature before adding glaze, which helps set the layers and intensifies the overall flavor profile.

How to Store and Reheat Peach and Cream Cheese Bars

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover peach and cream cheese bars in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each bar individually with plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent them from absorbing other food odors.
  • Freezing: Carefully place bars between layers of parchment paper inside a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying to preserve texture and taste.
  • Reheating: Warm bars gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds at 50% power to prevent cream cheese layer from becoming rubbery. Alternatively, let bars sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes for optimal softness and flavor recovery.

Pairing Ideas for Peach and Cream Cheese Bars

  • Savor Sweet Tea Pairing: Brew a chilled, lightly sweetened southern-style iced tea that complements the rich, creamy peach bars with its refreshing and tangy notes.
  • Enhance with Vanilla Scoop: Serve a small scoop of classic vanilla bean ice cream alongside the bars to amplify the dessert's smooth, velvety texture and add a cool contrast.
  • Match with Crisp White Wine: Select a light, slightly sweet Riesling or Moscato that balances the dessert's creamy cheesecake layer and highlights the fruity peach undertones.
  • Create Coffee Companion: Offer a smooth, medium-roast coffee with hints of caramel to cut through the richness and provide a warm, aromatic accompaniment to the sweet bars.

Delicious Twists on Peach and Cream Cheese Bars

  • Berry Bliss Bars: Swap peach filling with mixed berry compote for a tangy, vibrant dessert that bursts with summer flavors.
  • Tropical Paradise Bars: Replace peaches with mango chunks and add a sprinkle of toasted coconut for a Caribbean-inspired treat.
  • Cinnamon Apple Dream Bars: Substitute peach filling with spiced apple pie filling and dust with ground cinnamon for a cozy autumn feel.
  • Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake Bars: Marble dark chocolate into the cheesecake layer and top with chocolate drizzle for an indulgent chocolate lover's version.

What’s to Love About Peach and Cream Cheese Bars

  • Whip Up Layered Luxury: Peach and cream cheese bars offer a decadent dessert experience with multiple delightful layers that blend sweet and tangy flavors seamlessly.
  • Effortless Elegance: These bars require simple ingredients and straightforward baking techniques, making them perfect for home bakers of all skill levels who want to create something impressive without complex culinary skills.
  • Texture Paradise: Enjoy a delightful combination of soft, creamy cheesecake, tender cake base, and silky peach filling that creates an irresistible mouthfeel with every single bite.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or casual dessert moments, these bars can be prepared ahead of time and easily transported, making them an ideal treat for various social occasions.

What Goes into Peach and Cream Cheese Bars

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for the bars texture and flavor.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender, golden crust.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients together and contributes to the bars structure.
  • Flour: Creates the base structure and provides a soft, tender crumb.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet undertones.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out deeper flavor notes.
Cream Cheese Layer:
  • Cream Cheese: Delivers smooth, tangy richness to the bars middle layer.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture and balances its tanginess.
  • Egg: Helps set the cream cheese layer and provides additional structure.
Topping and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Peach Pie Filling: Adds fruity sweetness and moisture to the dessert.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze with a beautiful finish.
  • Milk: Thins the glaze to achieve the right drizzling consistency.
  • Almond Extract: Provides a subtle, nutty background flavor to the glaze.

Peach and Cream Cheese Bars: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Base Batter

In a large mixing bowl, cream together:
  • Butter
  • Sugar

Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in:
  • 4 eggs
  • Vanilla extract

Blend until all ingredients are well combined.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Gradually add:
  • Flour
  • Salt

Mix until the batter is smooth and consistent.

Step 5: Spread First Layer of Batter

Pour and evenly spread half of the batter across the prepared baking pan.

Step 6: Whip Up the Cheesecake Layer

In a separate bowl, beat together:
  • Cream cheese
  • Sugar
  • 1 egg
  • Vanilla extract

Mix until the mixture is creamy and smooth.

Step 7: Layer the Cheesecake Mixture

Carefully spread the cheesecake mixture over the first batter layer in the pan.

Step 8: Add Peach Filling

Spoon of peach pie filling evenly over the cheesecake layer.

Step 9: Create Texture with Remaining Batter

Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter on top to create a marbled effect.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Step 11: Prepare the Glaze

Whisk together:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Milk
  • Almond extract

Mix until the glaze reaches a smooth, drizzling consistency.

Step 12: Finish and Serve

Drizzle the glaze generously over the cooled bars. Slice into squares and serve.

Print
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Peach and Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

Peach and Cream Cheese Bars Recipe


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4.9 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sweet peach and cream cheese bars bring Southern comfort to dessert tables. Silky cream cheese swirls through ripe peach layers, creating a delightful treat you’ll savor to the last crumbly bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 grams)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 21 ounces (595 grams) peach pie filling
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened

Dairy and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Finishing and Seasoning:

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and coat a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly cream unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  3. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, ensuring each is fully blended before adding the next, then mix in vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Sift together all-purpose flour and salt, then gradually fold into the wet ingredients, mixing until a consistent batter forms without overmixing.
  5. Transfer half the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula to create a uniform base layer.
  6. Prepare the cream cheese layer by beating cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until completely smooth and free of lumps.
  7. Gently spread the cream cheese mixture over the initial batter layer, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  8. Distribute peach pie filling uniformly across the cream cheese layer, creating a vibrant fruity base.
  9. Drop remaining batter in small dollops across the peach filling, creating a rustic, textured top surface.
  10. Place in preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for golden edges and a slightly firm center.
  11. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
  12. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until a silky glaze forms, then drizzle decoratively over cooled bars.
  13. Slice into squares and serve, enjoying the rich combination of flavors and textures.

Notes

  • Layers of buttery goodness meet creamy cheesecake in this irresistible summer dessert.
  • Perfectly balanced sweetness comes from fresh peaches nestled between soft, rich cake base and tangy cream cheese.
  • Achieve golden-brown edges by watching carefully during baking to prevent overcooking.
  • Chilling bars completely helps set the cheesecake layer and enhances overall flavor melding.
  • Drizzle glaze just before serving to maintain crisp texture and prevent soggy bottom.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 100 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 0 mg
  • Fat: 3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: <1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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