This Homemade Peach Butter is the perfect way to celebrate fall! Made with sweet, ripe peaches, sugar, and spices, it creates a smooth spread that’s fruity and fragrant.
It’s like a cozy hug in a jar! I love spreading it on warm toast. Trust me, you’ll want to have this on hand all season long—it’s that good!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Peaches: Fresh, ripe peaches are key to this recipe. If they’re out of season, you can use frozen peaches—just make sure they’re thawed and drained well before cooking.
Sugar: The sugar helps sweeten the peach butter. Adjust the amount based on the ripeness of your peaches. You can also use brown sugar for a richer flavor or alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Apple cider: It adds a fruity tang, but if you don’t have it, water works just fine. Some like using orange juice for an extra citrus kick.
Spices: The spices like cinnamon and nutmeg give warmth and depth. If you want a different flavor, try adding ginger or allspice. You can also skip the cloves if you prefer just cinnamon and nutmeg.
How Do You Ensure a Smooth Peach Butter Consistency?
To achieve a smooth consistency for your peach butter, blending is essential. After cooking the peaches, use an immersion blender for convenience or transfer the mixture in small batches to a regular blender.
- Be careful with hot mixtures in the blender—let it cool slightly to avoid splashes.
- Puree until smooth, adjusting any spices or sweetness as needed.
- If it’s too thin, continue to cook it uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, stirring often.
Homemade Peach Butter Recipe for Fall
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Peach Butter:
- 5 pounds ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and chopped
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup apple cider or water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15-30 minutes of prep time and around 4-6 hours to cook in a slow cooker, or 1-2 hours on the stovetop. After cooking, allow some additional time for cooling and blending. Overall, you’ll need a few hours, but much of that is passive cooking time.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Peaches:
Start by washing the peaches. Then peel them, removing their skins, and pit them—this means taking out the hard center. Chop the peaches into small pieces and set them aside.
2. Combine Ingredients:
In a large slow cooker or heavy-bottomed pot, mix together the chopped peaches, sugar (start with 1 cup and adjust later), apple cider or water, lemon juice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Stir everything together until well combined.
3. Cook the Mixture:
If you’re using a slow cooker, set it to low heat and let it cook for about 4-6 hours. If you’re on the stovetop, gently heat it over low-medium heat. Stir occasionally and keep an eye on it until the peaches soften and most of the liquid evaporates.
4. Blend Until Smooth:
Once the peaches are very soft, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture right in the pot. If you don’t have one, carefully transfer the mixture to a blender in batches. Blend until it’s smooth and spreadable.
5. Adjust and Thicken:
Give your peach butter a taste! If you want more sweetness or spice, add it in. If the mixture seems too thin, continue cooking it uncovered for about 30 minutes to let it thicken up.
6. Cool the Peach Butter:
After reaching your desired consistency, take the pot off the heat and let the peach butter cool slightly.
7. Store It Away:
Transfer the cooled peach butter into sterilized jars, seal them tightly, and store in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 weeks. For a longer shelf life, you can process the jars in a water bath canner.
8. Enjoy!
Your homemade peach butter is now ready to enjoy! Spread it on toast, biscuits, or use it as a sweet topping on yogurt or desserts. Embrace those cozy fall flavors!
FAQ for Homemade Peach Butter Recipe
Can I Use Frozen Peaches for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before using. Frozen peaches can yield delicious results and save you time on peeling and pitting!
What Can I Substitute for Granulated Sugar?
You can use brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup as alternatives! If you choose liquid sweeteners like honey, reduce the amount of apple cider slightly to maintain the right consistency.
How Do I Know When the Peach Butter Is Done Cooking?
The peach butter is done when the peaches are very soft, and the mixture has thickened to your preferred consistency. It should spread easily without being too runny. You can always continue cooking uncovered for an additional 30 minutes to thicken it further if needed.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover peach butter in sterilized jars and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. If you want to store it longer, consider water-bath canning for extended shelf life. Just ensure to seal the jars properly!
