Peach Pie with Heath Bar Crumb Topping: A Sweet Summer Dream

Do you ever find yourself craving a dessert that’s both comforting and a little bit unexpected? Something that conjures up warm summer evenings but also offers a delightful crunch? I know I do! For years, I perfected my go-to peach pie recipe, but I always felt like it needed just a little something extra to truly make it sing. That’s when inspiration struck: a buttery, sweet, and crunchy Heath Bar crumb topping. Trust me, once you try this peach pie with Heath Bar crumb topping, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. It’s the perfect blend of juicy, ripe peaches, a flaky crust, and that irresistible caramel-toffee crunch that takes a classic dessert to a whole new level of deliciousness. Get ready to bake a pie that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Quick Recipe

• Preparation Time: 45M
• Cooking Time: 1H5M
• Total Time: 1H50M
• Type of dish: Dessert
• Cuisine: American
• Recipe Yield: 8 servings
• Calories: 450 (per serving, estimated)

Why You’ll Love This Peach Pie!

• Irresistible Flavor Combination: Sweet peaches meet buttery toffee and chocolate.
• Simple & Straightforward: My step-by-step guide makes pie-making accessible.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or a cozy night in.
• Elevated Classic: A fun twist on a beloved summer treat.

My Journey to the Perfect Peach Pie

For as long as I can remember, summer meant peaches. Growing up, my grandma had an orchard, and every July, our kitchen would be filled with the sweet, intoxicating scent of ripe peaches. We’d make jam, cobbler, and, of course, peach pie. I’ve tinkered with that family recipe for years, always chasing that perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, and that ideal juicy filling that isn’t too runny. The addition of the Heath Bar crumb topping came about quite by accident – I had some leftover candy bars and a sudden flash of inspiration. It turned out to be one of those “aha!” moments that completely transforms a dish! This isn’t just any peach pie recipe; it’s a culmination of years of baking, a touch of accidental genius, and a whole lot of love.

Getting Started: The Essential Tools

Before we dive into the delicious details, let’s make sure you have everything you need. Having your tools ready makes the baking process so much smoother and more enjoyable!

• 9-inch Pie Plate: A standard ceramic or glass pie plate works beautifully.
• Large Mixing Bowls: You’ll need one for the peaches and one for the crumb topping.
• Pastry Blender or Food Processor: For making the pie crust (if you’re going homemade!).
• Sharp Knife: For slicing those beautiful peaches.
• Measuring Cups & Spoons: Accuracy is key in baking!
• Rolling Pin: For rolling out your pie crust.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Essential for letting your pie cool properly.

Crafting Your Peach Pie with Heath Bar Crumb Topping

Let’s break down this recipe into easy, manageable steps. Don’t feel intimidated – pie making is more forgiving than you might think!

Ingredients: What You’ll Need

For the Pie Crust (One Double Crust Recipe):

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold and cut into ½-inch cubes
• ½ cup ice water (you might need a little more or less)

Why cold butter? Keeping your butter super cold is the secret to a flaky pie crust. As the butter melts in the oven, it creates steam, which puffs up the layers of dough, giving you that perfect texture.

For the Peach Filling:

• 6-7 ripe medium peaches (about 3 pounds), peeled, pitted, and sliced ½-inch thick
• ½ cup granulated sugar (adjust based on peach sweetness)
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Why lemon juice and cornstarch? The lemon juice brightens the flavor of the peaches and helps prevent them from oxidizing (turning brown). Cornstarch is our thickening agent; it ensures your pie filling is perfectly set, not runny, giving you beautiful slices every time.

For the Heath Bar Crumb Topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 ½ cups (about 6 standard size bars) Heath Bar bits or chopped Heath Bars

Pro Tip: You can buy Heath Bar bits in the baking aisle or just grab a few full-size bars and give them a good chop! The more irregular the pieces, the better the texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Part 1: Preparing the Pie Crust

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. Cut in Butter: Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining. This is crucial for flakiness!
3. Add Ice Water: Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently with a fork until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, or your crust will be tough.
4. Divide and Chill: Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll.

Don’t have time for homemade crust? No problem! A good quality store-bought pie crust works perfectly fine. Just make sure to get a double crust package.

Part 2: Making the Peach Filling

1. Peel and Slice Peaches: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Gently drop peaches in for 30-60 seconds, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath. The skins should slip off easily. Slice your peaches into ½-inch pieces.
2. Combine Filling Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently combine the sliced peaches, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss gently to ensure all the peaches are evenly coated. Set aside while you prepare the crust.

Part 3: Assembling the Pie

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roll Out Bottom Crust: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of pie dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to your 9-inch pie plate. Trim any excess dough, leaving about a ½-inch overhang.
3. Fill with Peaches: Pour the peach mixture into the pie crust, spreading it evenly.
4. Add Top Crust (Optional – for bottom crust only) or Crumb Topping: If you were making a traditional double-crust pie, you’d add the top crust here. For this recipe, we’re moving straight to the crumb topping!

Part 4: Creating the Heath Bar Crumb Topping

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
2. Add Melted Butter: Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until the mixture is crumbly.
3. Stir in Heath Bars: Fold in the Heath Bar bits or chopped Heath Bars until evenly distributed.
4. Sprinkle Over Pie: Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over the peach filling. Don’t press it down too much; we want those beautiful crumbles!

Part 5: Baking Your Masterpiece

1. Bake: Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips) and bake for 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
2. Reduce Heat: After 20 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Continue baking for another 35-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, the filling is bubbly, and the crumb topping is beautifully toasted. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the pie with aluminum foil.
3. Cool Completely: This is the hardest part, I know! Transfer the baked pie to a wire rack and let it cool for at least 3-4 hours before slicing and serving. Why the wait? Cooling allows the filling to set properly. Slicing a warm pie will likely result in a runny mess, and we want beautiful, defined slices!

A Dessert to Remember

There’s something truly special about a homemade pie. It speaks of comfort, tradition, and shared moments. This peach pie with Heath Bar crumb topping is more than just a dessert; it’s a showstopper that combines the comforting familiarity of a classic with an exciting, unexpected crunch. Every bite offers that perfect balance of sweet, juicy fruit, flaky crust, and delightful toffee-chocolate bits. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or just because, I promise you, this recipe will bring a huge smile to everyone’s face. So, tie on your apron, gather those beautiful peaches, and get ready to create a truly unforgettable dessert. Happy baking!

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