Tessa’s Recipe Rundown
Taste: Caramel + peach + snickerdoodle is the epitome of summer sweetness!
Texture: The snickerdoodle bars are chewy while the caramel peach topping is ultra gooey and soft.
Ease: The ingredient list may look slightly overwhelming, but I promise this recipe is actually super simple and easy.
Pros: Enjoy the flavors of peach pie without all of the time and work!
Cons: None.
Would I make this again? Definitely!
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I can’t even describe how amazing these Caramel Peach Snickerdoodle Bars will make your house smell as you whip them up. Better than any candle – just like pure summery heaven!
Seriously, just when in this 21st century will we finally get Smell-O-Vision? Can you imagine watching the Food Network or any recipe video on Facebook with all the tasty aromas? I don’t think we’d get anything done as a society.
One of the best parts of summer is smelling the intoxicating aroma of ripe stone fruit as you walk past them in the market.
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When it comes to berries and stone fruit, I usually like to enjoy them totally fresh and natural. But sometimes I’m inspired to bake with them, especially if I have extra that I can’t eat up before it spoils.
These Caramel Peach Snickerdoodle Bars are the perfect simple way to enjoy peaches all summer long!
Sprinkle of Science
How to Make Caramel Peach Snickerdoodle Bars
The Snickerdoodle Bars
The cream of tartar and cream cheese both help to create a slightly tangy flavor and soft chewy texture in these Snickerdoodle Bars. That extra egg yolk also lends a rich chewy bite, and the little addition of milk helps create a nice smooth bar.
The Peach Topping
You can use fresh peaches that you peel, pit, and slice – or you can use thawed frozen sliced peaches. If using fresh, make sure the peaches are ripe.
The caramel peach topping may look like a lot of ingredients, but really you’re just combining them all in a skillet for less than 10 minutes. Super easy, promise! Cooking the peaches in this butter/sugar mixture is what creates that caramel flavor. Way simpler than making actual caramel, but just as tasty.
The Cinnamon
Note that older spices carry less flavor and fresh spices will carry a LOT more flavor – so check to make sure your cinnamon has not expired. If it has expired, toss it and purchase a new container, or your Snickerdoodle Bars may be bland.
What Pan Should I Use for Caramel Peach Snickerdoodle Bars?
Use an 8×8-inch light-colored metal baking pan. I don’t recommend using glass, ceramic, silicone, or other types of pans here, as these materials take longer to heat up and can cause underdone middles and overbaked edges. Learn more about Glass vs. Metal Baking Pans here.
How to Serve Caramel Peach Snickerdoodle Bars
Cut the bars into squares before topping them for the best presentation. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for the ultimate delicious dessert!
How to Store Caramel Peach Snickerdoodle Bars
The snickerdoodle bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days before topping. Once you top the bars with the caramel mixture they should be eaten that day. Or, you can refrigerate the topped bars overnight and reheat in the microwave before serving.
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Caramel Peach Snickerdoodle Bars
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Ingredients
For the snickerdoodle bars:
- 1 1/2 cups (191 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
- 2 ounces (57 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) light brown sugar
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk, at cool room temperature
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the caramel peach topping:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 cups (420 grams) peeled, pitted, and sliced peaches, from about 4 to 5 peaches (thaw if using frozen)
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
Make the bars:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 by 8-inch metal baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, cream cheese, and sugars on medium-high speed until well combined and smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the egg, egg yolk, milk, and vanilla and beat until combined. On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and beat until combined.
- Press the dough into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown on top. Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool completely.
Make the topping:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. In a large bowl, toss all the remaining ingredients together. Add the peach mixture to the hot pan and cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Top the bars with the warm peach caramel mixture and serve.
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin.
Perfect end of summer dessert! The cookie bars were tender and gently spiced. Peach caramel felt decedent but not overly sweet. (Also very tasty over oatmeal the next morning!) Was thinking about trying it with apples later in the season for a fall twist. Thank you for another easy to follow, delicious recipe!
What a fantastic idea over oatmeal, and I love the possibility of using apples (great suggestion for a future blog post)! So happy to hear you enjoyed these bars, Richelle!
I made this twice and both times it was the star of the evening! I made it for someone’s dinner party and all the guests were saying that it stole the host’s show hahaha.
I’m so happy to hear these were a hit, Aleesha!!
This is the best snickerdoodle bar I’ve ever made!
The cake is perfectly buttery and tender. Used fresh peaches. The topping is so good. The recipe is easy and perfectly written.
The cakes you make are very attractive. You must be a good baker.
I am swooning over the caramel peach topping here! Making these bars asap!
I made these bars and the flavor was fantastic. Only problem…they were a little crumbly when you ate them. I believe I followed the recipe correctly. Any thoughts??
Thank you.
Did you weigh your flour, Ginny?