Cook's Country Peach Squares

By bjlazyl

Ingredients

• Cook's Country Peach Squares
• Makes 24
• Cook's Country Peach Squares
• Ingredients
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-3/4 cups sliced almonds
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
• Salt
• 12 tablespoons (1-1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1-1/2 pounds frozen peaches, partially thawed
• 1/2 cups peach preserves
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Details

Servings 24
Adapted from chefscatalog.com

Preparation

Step 1

Makes 24

Although any brand of frozen peaches or peach preserves will work, the Test Kitchen prefers Whole Foods 365 frozen peaches and Smucker's preserves. Makes 24

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 13-inch by 9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, allowing excess to overhang pan edges. Spray pan with cooking spray. Process flour, 1-1/4 cups almonds, granulated sugar, 1/3 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in food processor until combined, about 5 seconds. Add butter and pulse mixture until it resembles coarse meal (some pea-sized pieces of butter will remain), about twenty 1-second pulses.

2. Transfer 1/2 cup flour mixture to small bowl and set aside. Press remaining flour mixture firmly and evenly into bottom of prepared baking pan. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, toss remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar with reserved flour mixture. Set aside.

3. While crust is baking, remove blade from food processor and wipe out work bowl. Pulse peaches and preserves in food processor until mixture has 1/4-inch chunks, about five 1-second pulses (if larger chunks remain, scrape down sides and pulse 2 more times). Cook peach mixture in large nonstick skillet over high heat until thickened and jam-like, about 10 minutes. Off heat, add pinch salt, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Pour mixture over hot crust.

4. Using fingers, pinch reserved flour mixture to create dime-sized clumps and sprinkle over peaches. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup almonds over top and bake until almonds are golden brown, about 20 minutes.

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