These sweet and crunchy Nectarine and Almond Pie Bars is such a great treat and is the biggest test to your self control!
Now is the best time for nectarines, that smooth-skinned sister of peach. You can find them everywhere, from the supermarkets to the farmers markets. There are few things I look for in a nectarine. First, they should be fragrant. I always always smell the fruit before buying. Nectarines should have a sweet smell and they should not be too hard (unripe) or too soft (overripe). There’s nothing quite like a perfectly ripe piece of stone fruit. It’s tender and packed with flavour.
It’s nectarine season here in Ontario and you can bet that I’ll find a way to work them into just about everything I make! The other day I tried my hand at making nectarine jam, or preserves, to be precise. I always think of jam as smoother and more pureed than preserves, and I kept nice chunks of the nectarines in this one which is why I’m not calling it a jam. This is my new favourite fruit spread though. Pure heaven on a simple toast!
I almost resisted from baking with my nectarine preserves since we enjoy it so much on its own, but with so many cans on hand I was able to part with a few to make these nectarine and almond pie bars. I’m so glad I did – these bars are definitely worthy!
How To Make Nectarine and Almond Pie Bars
They are buttery and full of tender pieces of nectarines and crunchy toasted almonds. There are no secret ingredients in these bars recipe. Nothing fancy, nothing strange. Just a few basic ingredients to make one outrageous dessert. A summer dessert at its finest, folks! Get ready to loose any and all self control with this one.
Nectarine and Almond Pie Bars
Ingredients
Nectarine Preserves (makes about 2 cups)
- 8 yellow nectarines
- 1/4 cup water
- juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1/3 cup sugar
Nectarine And Almond Pie Bars
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- pinch of salt
- 2 sticks (226 grams) cold butter cut in cubes
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 2 cups nectarine preserves
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 4 tbsp cold butter cut in cubes
- 1/3 cup roasted almonds
Instructions
Nectarine Preserves
- Cut nectarines in half and remove pits. Dice and place in sauce pan with water, lemon juice and sugar.
- Bring to a boil and let simmer on medium low heat for 20 minutes or until thickened. Stir once in while so it does not burn.
- Cool and spoon into a jar. Can stay in the fridge for about 3 weeks.
Nectarine and Almond Pie Bars
- Preheat oven to 375 F. In a bowl whisk flour sugar and salt.
- Add butter and work it in using your hands. The result should be crumbly.
- Add egg yolks, vanilla and almond extracts and knead until it forms a ball.
- Press the dough into a parchment lined baking dish (I used 9 x 13) and top with nectarine preserves.
- In a bowl, using your hands, mix flour sugar, butter and nuts.
- Crumble mixture over nectarines preserves. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden.
- Cool on a wire rack and cut into squares.
More Delicious Summer Dessert Recipes:
Apple Butter Rolls – Sweet yeast rolls with homemade apple butter. Yum!
Cherry Pie Bars – Delicious shortbread base, a layer of juicy cherries, and a crunchy topping drizzled with sweet vanilla glaze.
Plombir Ice Cream – There’s no summer without ice cream. Try this unique flavour!
Strawberry Rhubarb Biscuit Cobbler – You need this in your life with a melty scoop of vanilla ice cream.
What fun! I love these. The ingredients are fabulous.
Awe thanks so much Mimi!
These bars look and sound incredibly tasty. I love nectarines. I think I will make that nectarine preserve on the side separately as well. It looks so good.
These bars were incredible. Such a nourishing snack.
These nectarine and almond pie bars look absolutely delicious! I love the combination of sweet and nutty flavors. Plus, they’re perfect for a summertime dessert or snack. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
These nectrine and almond bars are simply amazing! Made for my friend’s baby shower party, finished in minutes!!