How to Make Peach Butter in Your Slow Cooker

Do you love the idea of homemade preserves but feel intimidated by the process?

Fear not!

Making peach butter in your Crock-Pot is a foolproof method that yields fantastic results with minimal effort.

Picture yourself spreading a dollop of this sweet, velvety butter on a warm biscuit or mixing it into your morning yogurt.

The rich, fruity flavor is a perfect way to enjoy the taste of summer all year round.

So grab your peaches and get ready to fill your home with the irresistible scent of spiced fruit simmering to perfection.

Let’s get started….

What Are the Best Peaches for Making Butter?

Freestone peaches are the ideal choice for making peach butter because their pits separate easily from the flesh.

This makes them much easier to work with, especially when peeling and slicing.

(Freestone peaches are typically available from mid to late summer.)

Clingstone peaches can still be used, but they are more challenging to work with because the flesh clings tightly to the pit.

This can make the preparation process more time-consuming.

Any peach variety will work for this recipe, but be sure they’re nice and ripe!

Ripe peaches are soft to the touch and have a strong, sweet aroma. They will provide the best flavor and sweetness, reducing the need for added sugar.

Slightly overripe peaches can also be used, as they are often juicier and sweeter.

However, avoid using peaches that are moldy or overly mushy, as they can affect the quality and safety of your peach butter.

Ingredients

• 4 pounds of fresh peaches (about 10-12 large peaches)
• 2 cups of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

(If you prefer, you can replace the cinnamon and nutmeg with 1 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. That’s usually what I do!)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Peaches

Start by washing your peaches thoroughly. Peel, pit, and slice them into small pieces.

If you prefer a smoother texture, you can puree the peaches using a food processor or blender at this stage.

Otherwise, the slow cooking process will break them down nicely.

2. Set Up the Crock-Pot

Place the peach slices (or puree) into your Crock-Pot.

Add the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir everything together until the peaches are well coated with the sugar and spices.

3. Slow Cook the Peaches

Set your Crock-Pot to low and cook the peach mixture for about 6-8 hours.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to help the flavors meld. You’ll know it’s ready when the peaches have broken down and the mixture has thickened to a spreadable consistency.

4. Blend for Smoothness

If you prefer a very smooth peach butter, you can use an immersion blender directly in the Crock-Pot to blend the mixture until smooth.

Alternatively, transfer the mixture in batches to a regular blender and blend until smooth.

5. Add the Final Touches

Once your peach butter is smooth, stir in the vanilla extract.

Let it cook for another 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine fully.

6. Jar and Store

Carefully ladle the hot peach butter into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace. At this point, you can allow them to cool to room temperature, then place them in the refrigerator.

Or, if you’d like your peach butter to be shelf-stable, you should can it:

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De-bubble the jars, wipe the rims clean, place new, clean lids on, and screw the bands until fingertip tight.

Process the jars in a water bath canner for 15 minutes to ensure they are sealed properly. Be sure to adjust your canning time if you live higher than 1,000 feet elevation. You can refer to this chart for times.

Ideas for Using Your Peach Butter

• Spread peach butter on toast or biscuits for a delightful breakfast treat.
• Use it as the filling for this oatmeal crisp recipe.
• Use it as a filling for pastries or cakes.
• Add a spoonful to your yogurt or oatmeal for a fruity flavor boost.
• Serve it alongside a cheese board for a sweet contrast to savory cheeses.

Making peach butter in your Crock-Pot is an easy and rewarding way to capture the essence of summer peaches. Enjoy the process and the delicious results!

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