Time to spill the beans.
I am addicted to these Peach Crumb Bars, but that’s not what I am spilling about.
I gained weight. Yes, I was pregnant, but still, I gained weight. I don’t even know how I managed to do that. The thought of food made me so sick that I think I cooked and baked a total of maybe 10 times in 9 months. That’s the reason why I couldn’t blog…I didn’t have any material to blog about. Plus the fact that I wanted to sleep all day.
But, the doctor said I gained it because the baby needed it. Aha. Okay. I’m sure the baby really needed my 40 pounds…and the chocolate that I feasted on day in and day out. I had to compensate with something…baby was taking all those much needed vital minerals and vitamins. And, of course, the Nutella spread all over my morning waffles. 
But, I did lose 20 pounds right after birth.
That’s me two weeks before delivery. It was all worth it. It always is. ♥
SO, as soon as this 4th trimester is over – yes, I do believe in the 4th trimester, just ask my body – I will stop eating.
Um. Yeah. Right.
Portion control. Balance. I’m really good at that. In fact, that is how I maintain my weight; I eat everything, but in moderation. For now, though, I will try to slow down on the eggs and butter for a little while. Like a week. And, if it tastes as good as the real stuff, I’ll post it.
Like these Peach Crumb Bars. They were awesome!
I swapped the eggs for bananas, kept the butter, but topped the bars with fruit and nuts. Now, that’s balance.
You know what’s good here? The crust. It’s made with light brown sugar and bananas. Yums! Also, the filling. The filling is really good. You can use any stone fruit; peaches, plums, nectarines…
Don’t leave these bars for the next day. And don’t say I didn’t warn you. They will be mushy. If you like mush, then go ahead and leave them out. If you don’t like mush, make them on Sunday morning and serve them as soon as everyone is ready to eat. Oh, and don’t cut them until completely cooled. You won’t be disappointed.
ENJOY!
Ingredients
- CRUST:
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 banana, mashed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- FILLING:
- 6 cups chopped peaches
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease an 8-by-12-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- In medium-sized bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, with a mixer, beat together brown sugar, butter, oil, banana and vanilla until smooth.
- Add in the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until well blended.
- Take about 2/3 of the dough to the prepared pan and press the dough down onto the bottom of the pan in an even layer.
- Put the pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
- In the meantime, add the chopped walnuts to the reserved dough and stir them in.
- Prepare the filling.
- In a large saucepan bring together the chopped peaches, orange juice, sugar, and cornstarch.
- Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick, about 3 minutes.
- Spread the fruit-filling over the baked crust.
- Sprinkle the rest of the dough over the filling. This will be a bit sticky, but you’ll get through it.
- Put back in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden.
- Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Ha! I’m currently in my fourth trimester too
so definitely adding these to my meal plan.. I am nursing after all…
Here I am! How are you my sweet friend? Your baby is precious, congrats! I love that you added bananas instead of eggs, such a fun healthy substitute! sending Hugs, Terra
Congrats on new member of the family
Lots of water and garlic & ginger & onions, helps replenish and heal the body after birth (as my mom would say).
But honestly, you look great – and those peach crumb bars look like they should be in my belly.
I’ll take your mom’s recipe!
Garlic, ginger, onions… cook it together? Or do I just make sure to add them to my meals?
Actually, yes you can cook them all together with some soy sauce and sesame seed oil then top them over some steamed fish or jasmine rice – but if that’s too much, just make sure to add them into your meals and eat them!
Ginger is more difficult to eat whole, even after roasting it, so i just mince them very finely and fry them up a bit to add into stir fry or fried rice.
Thanks, Jen!! Dinner here I come! I just want my body back.
Kate…these look luscious! I love the banana replacing the egg thing going on. But these would be perfect with my morning coffee! I had to laugh at your comment about the 4th trimester! But you look amazing in your picture….you were all baby! Enjoy your beautiful little one! : )
How long does that 4th trimester last? 7 years? I still have a few pounds to lose, and my baby is 7 – that is just wrong!!
These bars look great, and I love the healthy substitutions
I am currently 26 weeks pregnant and craving absolutely everything in sight!! I never had morning sickness…only cravings. Crazy cravings! Great, now I am craving these crumb bars!
I had the same feeling with my second child and wanted to eat only salads, weird!:) anyhow..you looked gorgeous and congrats on the new beautiful addition to your family… weight gain is so worth once you hold that little angel in your hands.
Oh those bars look yummy! I could’d never say no to that because I love anything with peaches!
Yikes sorry to hear about your bad morning sickness. I had really bad one for both of my children and I’m so scared to even thinking about pregnant again. I was good friend with bathroom all the time when I was pregnant with both kids. Glad you survived! I remember you mentioned before that you are good at portion control – after having my 2nd 4 years ago, I still don’t seem to lose my weight mainly because I am not good at portion control… sigh! Now these peach crumb bars look delicious. So delicious that I’d forget about portion control once again. Haha.
You sure don’t look like you had 40 extra pounds on you before delivery! And, you’re right, it’s definitely worth it
I adore peach desserts and your bars look fantastic…I think I’d even like them mushy!
As someone who is currently pregnant, and spent the first 20 weeks disgusted by food most of the time… I’m shocked at how suddenly (now that food appeals again) I’m packing on pounds.
I have to reign it in, but man, with peach bars like this… umm…. maybe it’ll have to wait!
You tiny little thing! I think I looked like that at 4 mths;)It’s amazing you lost so much already and don’t sweat the last lbs. Have fun and enjoy every moment. It goes by so quickly:)Gorgeous bars:)
Beautiful! I just love that photo with the belly and your darling baby is just perfect. Adorable. Love the bars too…they look fantastic!
These bars are the perfect breakfast treat. Another yummy peach recipe to add to my collection. Wish that I had one now!.
Your little bundle of joy is adorable!
We are huge fans of crumb bars! These are a perfect tea treat.
Seriously if you didn’t say you had gained 40 pounds, I couldn’t have noticed from the photo (2 weeks before delivery)…
The 4th trimester! I love it! So true. And I’m all over peaches right now, so this is perfect. Very creative use of bananas too.