Old-Fashioned Peach Butter Recipe (2024)

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I’m a slow learner sometimes…

I’ve been canning for quite a whilenow, yet I always seem to inadvertently mop my floors right before starting a new canning project.

(And mind you–mopping does NOT happen frequently at my house!)

It’s like I subconsciously can’t help it.

This week, it was peach butter. Of all the things you can preserve, peaches are one of the stickiest, and I proceeded to splash that sticky peach puree all over my cabinets, countertops, stovetop, and yes, the freshly-mopped kitchen floor.

But it’s all good. The end result was totally worth it, and we’ve been enjoying the results of that sticky afternoon ever since.

What’s the Difference between Fruit Butter and Jam?

Sweet Preservation generously sent me a big box of peaches, so I was left with the agonizing decision: what do I do with them?

There are so many options when it comes to preserving peaches…

  • Peach jam or peach butter
  • Pies (or making frozen peach pie filling for later)
  • Drying them in the dehydrator for snacks
  • Canning peach halves with honey and cinnamon for those cold winter’s nights when fresh fruit is scarce
  • Or just eating them fresh and letting the juice drip down your chin.

I finally settled on turning them into peach butter. Fruit butters are somewhat related to jams, but they don’t require pectin. They are thick and opaque and absolutely perfect as a spread on homemade bread, or flaky homemade biscuits, or crepes, or waffles, or… you get the picture.

Homemade Peach Butter Recipe

You will Need:

  • Fresh, ripe peaches (roughly one pound of peaches per pint… roughly…)
  • Sweetener, to taste (optional– I used a bit of sucanat (aka unrefined cane sugar) see notes below)
  • That’s it! (Really!)

Start by removing the pits from your peaches and cutting them into quarters.

Toss them in your food processor or high-speed blender, and process until they are smooth. (Be careful not to liquefy them– we are wanting a smooth puree, not peach juice)

Now we need to cook the puree so it reaches the perfect consistency. You have two options: a slow cooker or a regular ol’ pot on the stove.

Slow Cooker Peach Butter Recipe:

This method takes longer (anywhere from several hours to all day), but requires less babysitting. Simply pour your peach puree into your slow cook, and set it on low. You’ll want to crack the lid open to allow the steam to escape. Otherwise, your peach butter won’t reduce and thicken.

Stovetop Peach Butter Recipe:

This method takes less time, but you need to be there to make sure you don’t get peach butter spewed all over your kitchen. Pour the peach puree in a large stock pot and set it on the stove over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to prevent burning (and splashing) and continue to cook until it reaches the desired consistency (30-40 minutes)

You’ll know your peach butter is done (regardless of cooking method) when it mounds up on a spoon like this:

Perform a quick taste test to see if you need to add sweetener– my peaches were pretty sweet already, so I only added about 1/2 cup of sweetener to my batch. It took the edge off of the sourness without ruining the fresh, peachyflavor.

At this point you can:

  • Let the peach butter cool and eat it right away (enlist the help of friends and family members so you don’t engorge yourself with peach butter)
  • Pour your peach butter into freezer-safe containers and pop it in the freezer for later
  • Can it: Pour the peach butter into sterilized glass pint jars and leave 1/4 inch of headspace. Process the peach butter in a boiling-water canner for 10 minutes. My Water Bath Canning Tutorial will walk you through the process if you are a canning newbie!

Kitchen Notes:

  • Don’t you have to peel the peaches? You can, and many peach butter recipes call for you to start with peeled peaches, but I found it not to be necessary. You don’t even notice the peel once you puree, and it saves some time. I’m lazy… what can I say? 😉
  • What sweeteners can I use? I used sucanat, an unrefined cane sugar, to sweeten my peach butter, but you could also use honey or any other granulated sweetener. Or, if you don’t mind a tart peach butter, just skip the sweetener altogether.
  • Can I add spices to my peach butter recipe?Sure! You can add cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger– just taste the butter and add accordingly. I chose to skip the spices because I like the taste of pure peach butter, but you can definitely add your favorite spices to taste.
  • Need more canning inspiration, recipes, or jar labels?Head over to SweetPreservation.com!

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Old-Fashioned Peach Butter Recipe

Old-Fashioned Peach Butter Recipe (9)

Ingredients

  • Fresh, ripe peaches (roughly one pound of peaches per pint… roughly…)
  • Sweetener, to taste (optional– I used a bit of sucanat (aka unrefined cane sugar) see instructions
  • below)

Instructions

  1. Start by removing the pits from your peaches and cutting them into quarters.
  2. Toss them in your food processor or high-speed blender, and process until they are smooth. (Be careful not to liquefy them– we are wanting a smooth puree, not peach juice)
  3. Now we need to cook the puree so it reaches the perfect consistency. You have two options: a slow cooker or a regular ol’ pot on the stove.
  4. Slow Cooker Version: This method takes longer (anywhere from several hours to all day), but requires less babysitting. Simply pour your peach puree into your slow cook, and set it on low. You’ll want to crack the lid open to allow the steam to escape. Otherwise, your peach butter won’t reduce and thicken.
  5. Stove top Version: This method takes less time, but you need to be there to make sure you don’t get peach butter spewed all over your kitchen. Pour the peach puree in a large stock pot and set it on the stove over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to prevent burning (and splashing) and continue to cook until it reaches the desired consistency (30-40 minutes)
  6. Perform a quick taste test to see if you need to add sweetener– my peaches were pretty sweet already, so I only added about 1/2 cup of sweetener to my batch.
  7. Now eat and enjoy, or freeze or can for later.

Homemade peach butter is one of the best ways to enjoy the taste of fresh peaches in the middle of winter. And as you are eating it, you can reminisce about how your bare feet stuck to the floor as you were making it in your sticky kitchen. 😉

Old-Fashioned Peach Butter Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between peach butter and peach jam? ›

Unlike jam, peach butter is lower in sugar (some recipes omit the sugar entirely) and darker in color. It's not as famous as apple butter, but peach butter is a good use for lots of peaches, since they cook down into a concentrated spread.

What is peach butter made of? ›

Place cooked peaches in a blender; puree until smooth. Measure out 8 cups peach pulp and transfer back to the pot. Reserve any extra pulp for another use. Add sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to peach pulp.

Why is my peach butter not thickening? ›

You'll want to crack the lid open to allow the steam to escape. Otherwise, your peach butter won't reduce and thicken. Perform a quick taste test to see if you need to add sweetener– my peaches were pretty sweet already, so I only added about 1/2 cup of sweetener to my batch.

Why did my peach jam turn brown? ›

This is a process of color loss and does not mean the jam or jelly is going bad. The browning starts at the top of the jar and slowly works its way down. If your jars were properly sealed and the seal is still intact, the jam or jelly, although not as pretty as it once was, is safe to eat.

What is a Monroe peach? ›

Description. Prized for its excellent flavor, the Monroe Peach Tree is a must-have for gardeners everywhere! This fruitful tree grows large peaches with bright red skin over a yellow-orange background. These freestone peaches are firm with bright, yellow flesh.

How long does it take to churn butter the old fashioned way? ›

If you start with cream at 65 °F and churn at a speed of about 120-150 RPM, the total time of making butter (including draining buttermilk and molding butter) is about 20-25 minutes. There are many ways to make your own butter, but we find the simplest and most effective way is to use a hand-powered butter churn.

What is the best heavy whipping cream for butter? ›

Any brand will do. You need the higher fat content. Heavy cream is approximately 40% butterfat and 60% milk solids and water. The best option would be fresh, raw cream from pastured Jersey cows.

How long did it take to churn butter the old fashioned way? ›

Just keep on churning. Finally, you will notice that there is liquid at the bottom of your container and the yellow butter separate from that. This whole process can take about 20 – 30 minutes. Using room temperature cream makes butter faster than using cold cream.

What is apricot butter made of? ›

In this fruit butter, apricots and sugar combine to form a sweet, jam-like spread. Two ingredients have never tasted so good together! Jams, jellies, and preserves are all a variation on the combination of fruit and pectin to create a wonderful spread.

How long does canned peach butter last? ›

Properly canned peach butter will keep for up to 1 year in your pantry or cabinet and then about 1 month in the fridge after you open it.

What the heck is cookie butter? ›

Cookie butter is a creamy spread made from finely ground Belgian speculoos spice cookies. Cookie butter looks like nut butter but tastes like gingerbread, with a rich, deep caramel flavor augmented by toasty, spiced cookie notes.

How do you intensify butter flavor? ›

Mix in garlic for a flavorful boost to bread and butter

One of the simplest ways to add flavor to butter is to gather three simple ingredients: salted butter, minced garlic cloves, and fresh parsley. Whisk them together and the result is a highly versatile flavor that can be used in a variety of dishes.

How do you know when fruit butter is done? ›

To test doneness, put a spoonful of fruit butter on a plate. If no liquid seeps from the edges, it's done. Return to a simmer to thicken more if necessary. For very smooth fruit butter, puree in a food processor or blender, then strain and push the mixture through a sieve before storing.

Why is my butter not getting light and fluffy? ›

Your butter needs to be “room temperature”, or around 65ºF. If it is too cold, it won't blend with the sugar evenly and will be almost impossible to beat it into a smooth consistency; if it is too hot, the butter won't be able to hold the air pockets that you are trying to beat into it.

What's the difference between jam and butter? ›

Butters: Butters are made from pureed fruit. They are not as sweet as preserves, jams, or jellies but offer a full fruit flavor. Butters are cooked for over 6 hours ,at a low temperature, allowing the product to thicken. Butters tend to be dark because of the exposure to air during the cooking.

What's the difference between peach jam and peach jelly? ›

Jams and jellies are both soft, sweet spreads made from fruit, sugar and pectin. The main difference between jam and jelly is that jam is made with fruit whereas jelly is made with fruit juice.

What is the difference between jam jelly and butter? ›

In a nutshell, fruit butters include whole fruits and are cooked much longer than jams and jellies. Additionally, our fruit butters are outsourced and made in larger batches while our jams and jellies are made in 12-quart kettles in-house. We use smaller batches to retain the best flavor for our jams and jellies.

Is peach preserves the same as jam? ›

Fruit preserves are a lot like jam, but they're slightly thicker, thanks to the addition of large chunks or whole pieces of fruit instead of chopped, crushed, or puréed fruit. You'll usually find large bits of fruit suspended in preserves, as well as seeds, in many cases.

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