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
- 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
- For the peach layer
- Peel the peaches. Remove the pits and cut into medium size pieces. Place in a saucepan. Add the lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon.
- 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.
- For the crust and topping
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Spray the bottom of a 13" x 9½" baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
- 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.
- Use the palm of your hand to press the dough onto the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Spread the peaches over the dough.
- Break the remaining cup of pecans into pieces and spread them evenly over the top. Gently press the pecans into the peaches.
- Bake at 350° F for 55 minutes, rotating the pan front to back halfway through.
- Cool completely and refrigerate until cold.
- Lift the parchment paper out of the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Cut into bars.
- Sprinkle with confectioners sugar and serve.
Additional time is needed for the peaches to cool.
Recipe by Desserts Required at https://www.dessertsrequired.com/southern-peach-pecan-bars
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