Southern Peach Pecan Bars
Cuisine: Dessert
Author: Betsy Cohen
Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time: 1 hour 15 mins
Total time: 2 hours 15 mins
Ingredients
  • Peach layer
  • 4½ pounds peaches
  • juice of ½ lemon
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Crust and topping
  • 2-1/3 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 2 cups pecans halves, divided
  • 24 tablespoons (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into tablespoons
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • confectioners sugar
Instructions
  1. For the peach layer
  2. Peel the peaches. Remove the pits and cut into medium size pieces. Place in a saucepan. Add the lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon.
  3. Cover the pan and cook over medium high heat until the peaches are softened. Uncover and continue to cook until all of the liquid has evaporated, stirring periodically. Cool completely.
  4. For the crust and topping
  5. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Spray the bottom of a 13" x 9½" baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
  6. Place the flour, sugar and salt into a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Process to blend. Add the coconut and 1 cup of pecans. Process until smooth. Add the butter and vanilla. Pulse on/off just until the dough holds together. Don't worry if all of the butter is not completely blended.
  7. Use the palm of your hand to press the dough onto the bottom of the prepared pan.
  8. Spread the peaches over the dough.
  9. Break the remaining cup of pecans into pieces and spread them evenly over the top. Gently press the pecans into the peaches.
  10. Bake at 350° F for 55 minutes, rotating the pan front to back halfway through.
  11. Cool completely and refrigerate until cold.
  12. Lift the parchment paper out of the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Cut into bars.
  13. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar and serve.
Notes
Additional time is needed for the peaches to cool.
Recipe by Desserts Required at https://www.dessertsrequired.com/southern-peach-pecan-bars