Peachy Keen Bars
These Peachy Keen Bars combine a soft cake mix crust, sweet canned peaches, a creamy cream cheese layer, and a golden crumble topping—simple, nostalgic, and perfect for any occasion.
12 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs divided
- 1 can 29 oz sliced peaches, drained thoroughly
- 12 oz cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish, ensuring all corners are coated to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Crust Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, softened butter, and one large egg. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend the mixture until it forms a crumbly, cohesive dough.
Reserve Topping and Press Base
- Set aside approximately 1½ cups of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming the crust.
Pre-Bake the Crust
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly while preparing the filling.
Add the Peaches
- Distribute the drained peach slices evenly over the pre-baked crust. If desired, slice the peaches into smaller pieces for even coverage.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and the remaining large egg until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Layers
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the peaches, smoothing it with a spatula. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the top.
Bake the Bars
- Return the assembled bars to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
Cool and Serve
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing. For cleanest cuts, chill in the refrigerator before serving.
Notes
To make Peachy Keen Bars gluten-free, substitute the white cake mix with a certified gluten-free white cake mix. Ensure that the canned peaches, vanilla extract, and all other ingredients are labeled gluten-free and have no risk of cross-contamination. Baking times and texture may vary slightly depending on the gluten-free mix used.