This easy homemade peach butter is perfect for spreading on toast or pancakes. It’s sweet, fruity, and made with fresh peaches simmered in a crockpot, which makes it super simple!
Making peach butter is a great way to enjoy summer flavors all year. I love slathering it on my breakfast, and it’s a fun way to impress guests with homemade goodness without the fuss!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Fresh Peaches: The star of the show! Use ripe peaches for optimal sweetness and flavor. If fresh peaches are out of season, you can use frozen ones (unthawed) as a substitute.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: These sweeteners balance the natural tartness of the peaches. You can replace granulated sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different flavor, but note that it may alter the texture slightly.
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, & Cloves: These spices add warmth and depth. You can skip or mix them up according to your preferences—cardamom or ginger works well, too. Just use a pinch if you’re experimenting!
Lemon Juice: This brightens up the peach flavor and helps preserve the color. If you don’t have fresh lemons, bottled lemon juice is a good alternative.
How Do I Achieve the Perfect Consistency for Peach Butter?
Getting the right spreadable consistency takes some patience, but it’s key to great peach butter! After your peaches have cooked and been pureed, you’ll still need to simmer them further.
- Once pureed, cook the mixture uncovered on low heat. This helps to evaporate excess liquid, thickening it up.
- Stir every 30 minutes to prevent sticking and keep an eye on it as it thickens, which usually takes 4 to 6 more hours.
- Test by cooling a spoonful. If it’s thickened enough to hold its shape and resembles a smooth spread, you’re ready to jar it up!
Easy Homemade Crockpot Peach Butter
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 4 pounds fresh peaches (about 10-12 large peaches), peeled, pitted, and sliced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup water
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful peach butter takes about 15 minutes to prepare and then requires a total of 10 to 14 hours in the crockpot—6 to 8 hours for softening the peaches and an additional 4 to 6 hours for thickening. Make sure to allow time for cooling and storage afterward!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preparing the Peaches:
Start by thoroughly washing your peaches. Then, peel, pit, and slice them into smaller chunks. This will help them cook evenly in the crockpot. It’s a great way to get the kids involved too!
2. Loading the Crockpot:
Place the sliced peaches and 1/2 cup of water into your crockpot. Give it a good stir to mix everything together. This water helps to release the natural juices of the peaches as they cook down.
3. Cooking the Peaches:
Cover the crockpot with a lid and set it to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. You’ll want to stir the mixture every so often to help everything cook evenly. The peaches should become very soft and mushy by the end of this stage.
4. Pureeing the Mixture:
After the peaches are soft, use an immersion blender to puree everything until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the mixture in batches to a countertop blender. Just be cautious with hot liquids!
5. Adding the Sweetness and Spices:
Pour the pureed peach mixture back into the crockpot. Then, add in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves (if you want that extra spice), and lemon juice. Stir everything together until nicely combined.
6. Thickening the Peach Butter:
Now it’s time to let the magic happen! Cook the mixture uncovered on low for an additional 4 to 6 hours. Stir every 30 minutes to prevent burning. You’ll know it’s done when the mixture thickens to your desired consistency and darkens in color.
7. Final Touches:
Once thickened, remove your peach butter from the heat and let it cool slightly. This is a good moment to clean up your workspace while the delicious aroma fills your kitchen!
8. Jarring the Peach Butter:
Spoon your warm peach butter into sterilized jars or containers. Seal them tightly. If stored in the refrigerator, it can last up to 3 weeks. For longer shelf storage, process in a water bath canner following safe canning practices.
9. Enjoying Your Creation:
Now comes the best part! Enjoy your homemade peach butter on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or even as a sweet addition to recipes. Share with friends and family for an extra special treat!
FAQ for Easy Homemade Crockpot Peach Butter
Can I Use Frozen Peaches Instead of Fresh Ones?
Yes, you can definitely use frozen peaches! Just make sure to add them directly to the crockpot without thawing. You may want to reduce the amount of water slightly since frozen peaches release more moisture as they cook.
How Can I Reduce the Sugar in This Recipe?
If you’d like a lower-sugar option, consider reducing the granulated sugar to 3/4 cup and the brown sugar to 1/4 cup. You can also use alternatives like honey or maple syrup, but keep in mind this can affect the texture and cooking time.
How Do I Know When the Peach Butter is Thick Enough?
Test the consistency by placing a spoonful on a plate and letting it cool for a minute. If it holds its shape and doesn’t run when you tilt the plate, it’s ready! The final butter should be thick enough to spread but still smooth.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftover Peach Butter?
Store any leftover peach butter in sterilized airtight jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. For longer storage, you can process the jars in a water bath canner to seal them for shelf-stable storage. Always remember to check for spoilage before consuming!
