Little Home Rituals

Tag: easy dessert

  • Peach Crumb Bars with a Shortbread Base

    Buttery shortbread + jammy peaches + golden crumble… basically a hug in dessert form.

    If winter had a dessert personality, it would be something like this: warm, sweet, a little messy in the best way, and completely unfazed by the fact that it’s snowing outside. These peach crumb bars are my “I want something homemade but I also want to sit down soon” kind of treat.

    They’re simple, pantry-friendly, and forgiving. The base and topping are the same dough (bless), and the middle is just juicy peaches with a little help from sugar and spice. You get a buttery shortbread bottom, a soft fruit layer, and a crunchy crumble top that makes your kitchen smell like “someone has their life together.” (Even if you don’t. I don’t.)

    Why you’ll love these

    • One bowl-ish (because who wants more dishes?)
    • Same mixture for base + crumble topping
    • Works with fresh, frozen, or canned peaches
    • Cozy dessert energy that feels homemade without feeling complicated

    Ingredients (8–12 bars)

    For the crust + crumble

    • 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
    • ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
    • 1 tsp baking powder
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional, but cozy)
    • 1 cup (225 g) cold butter, cubed
    • 1 egg
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

    For the peach filling

    • 3 cups peaches, sliced (fresh/frozen/canned*)
    • 2–3 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice
    • 1 tbsp cornstarch
    • ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
    • Pinch of salt

    *If using canned peaches: drain well. If using frozen: thaw and drain excess liquid if very watery.

    Instructions

    1) Prep

    • Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C
    • Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) pan with parchment (or grease it well).

    2) Make the crust/crumble mixture

    In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
    Add cold butter and rub/cut it in until it looks like coarse crumbs.

    Add egg + vanilla and mix until it becomes a crumbly dough that holds together when squeezed.

    Set aside about 1 cup of the mixture for the topping.

    3) Press the crust

    Press the remaining dough firmly into the bottom of the pan.
    Bake for 10 minutes (this helps it stay nice and sturdy).

    4) Mix the filling

    Toss peaches with sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt.

    5) Assemble

    Spread peach filling over the warm crust.
    Sprinkle the reserved crumble evenly on top.

    6) Bake

    Bake for 35–45 minutes, until golden and bubbling at the edges.

    7) Cool (important!)

    Let it cool at least 1 hour before slicing—otherwise it will be delicious lava chaos.

    Dust with powdered sugar if you want them to look extra “bakery window.”

    Serving ideas (aka: choose your cozy level)

    • Warm bar + vanilla ice cream = elite winter comfort
    • Warm bar + plain yogurt = “I’m being responsible” dessert
    • Cold from the fridge = midnight snack energy

    Storage

    • Room temp: 1 day (covered)
    • Fridge: 4–5 days
    • Freezer: up to 2 months (wrap individually)

    Little note from my kitchen

    This is one of those recipes that makes the whole day feel softer. Even if it’s grey outside. Even if your to-do list is yelling. Even if you started the bake “just to use up fruit” and ended up eating the corner piece standing at the counter like a little kitchen gremlin. (No judgment. That’s tradition.)

    If you make these, tell me: team extra crumble or team extra fruit?

  • Cozy Winter Apple Crumble You Can Make in One Pan

    Cozy Winter Apple Crumble You Can Make in One Pan

    When the world outside looks like powdered sugar and the air hurts your face, I don’t want “fancy.” I want warm, cozy, and slightly dramatic—in the best way.

    This apple crumble is my favorite snow-day dessert because:

    • it smells like a hug (butter, cinnamon, vanilla… you know),
    • it’s forgiving (no perfect dough, no chilling, no stress),
    • and it comes out bubbling like it’s auditioning for a winter movie scene.

    Make it once and you’ll start hoping for “just one more snowy weekend.” (I’m not saying this dessert controls the weather… but I’m not not saying it either.)

    What you’ll love about this crumble

    • Warm + cozy: best served straight from the oven
    • Quick to prep: about 15 minutes of hands-on time
    • Very forgiving: swap fruits, spices, or nuts without ruining it
    • Photogenic: golden crumb + bubbling edges = instant “pin it” energy

    Ingredients (serves 4–6)

    Apple filling

    • 6 medium apples (about 900–1000 g / 2 lbs)
    • 2–3 tbsp brown sugar (or maple syrup)
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, helps thicken)
    • Pinch of salt
    • Optional: 1/4 tsp cardamom (highly recommended for that “winter magic” note)

    Crumble topping

    • 100 g (about 1/2 cup) butter
    • 120 g (1 cup) rolled oats
    • 100 g (3/4 cup) all-purpose flour
    • 80–100 g (1/2 cup) brown sugar
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • Pinch of salt
    • Optional: handful of chopped walnuts or pecans

    Instructions

    1) Heat the oven

    Preheat to 180°C / 350°F.

    2) Make the filling

    Peel (or don’t) and slice the apples. Toss with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, and cornstarch if using.
    Spread into a 10-inch oven-safe skillet or a medium baking dish.

    3) Brown the butter (tiny step, huge flavor)

    Melt butter in a small pan over medium heat until it turns golden and smells nutty (about 3–5 minutes).
    Take it off the heat right when you see brown bits at the bottom—don’t walk away. Butter is fast and dramatic.

    4) Make the crumble topping

    In a bowl, mix oats + flour + sugar + cinnamon + salt (and nuts if using).
    Pour in the browned butter and stir until you get chunky crumbs.

    5) Bake

    Scatter topping over apples. Bake 30–40 minutes, until the edges bubble and the top is golden.

    6) Serve (the important part)

    Let it cool 10 minutes (so you don’t burn your tongue like I always do).
    Serve warm with:

    • vanilla ice cream
    • whipped cream
    • or plain Greek yogurt if you want to feel “responsible.”

    Tips & Variations

    • Best apples: a mix of tart + sweet (Granny Smith + Gala, Braeburn, Honeycrisp, etc.)
    • No oats? Use extra flour + a bit of chopped nuts.
    • Want it extra cozy? Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves.
    • Make-ahead: assemble, refrigerate, bake when needed (add 5–10 minutes).
    • Leftovers: keep covered in the fridge 3 days; reheat in oven or air fryer for crisp topping.

    A tiny “snow-day” serving idea

    Put the crumble on a plate, add a scoop of ice cream, and drizzle a little maple syrup.
    Then stand by the window, watch the snow, and pretend you’re the main character. This is non-negotiable.