This Easy Homemade Peach Butter is a sweet spread that brings out the yummy taste of juicy peaches. Made in a crockpot, it cooks slowly for a deliciously rich flavor without much fuss!
Just toss your peaches and sugar in the pot, let it bubble away, and enjoy the heavenly smell drifting through your home! 🍑 I like to slather mine on warm toast for a perfect breakfast treat!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Peaches: Fresh peaches are the star of this recipe! Look for soft and ripe ones for maximum sweetness. If peaches aren’t in season, you can use frozen peaches—just make sure they’re thawed and drained.
Sugars: The combination of granulated and brown sugar gives a nice depth of flavor. If you’re aiming to cut sugar, try reducing the amounts or using honey or maple syrup as a natural sweetener. Experiment with what suits your taste!
Lemon Juice: This adds brightness and helps prevent browning. You can substitute lime juice if you like a more zesty flavor. Apple cider vinegar can also work if lemon isn’t available!
Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves add warmth and aroma. If you want a different twist, consider using allspice or cardamom. Tailor the spices to suit your palate!
How Do I Get the Perfect Texture for Peach Butter?
The key technique here is blending the mixture to achieve that smooth, buttery consistency. Here’s how to nail it:
- After cooking, use an immersion blender directly in the crockpot for ease. Blend until you reach your desired smoothness. If you’re using a regular blender, let the mixture cool a bit to avoid splatters.
- Cook uncovered after blending to thicken the peach butter further. This makes it rich and spreadable, which is what you want!
- Keep an eye on it while it cooks uncovered. Stir frequently to avoid burning and check its consistency. You’ll know it’s ready when it holds its shape on a spoon.
These steps will make sure you have the most delicious peach butter imaginable! Enjoy your homemade spread!
How to Make Easy Homemade Peach Butter in a Crockpot
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 4 cups fresh peaches, peeled, pitted, and chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe requires about 15 minutes of prep time and a total of 8 to 10 hours of cooking time if using the low setting (or 4 to 5 hours on high). After cooking, you’ll need an additional 1 to 2 hours to let it thicken uncovered. So, plan to give it a good chunk of your day while you let the crockpot do all the work!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Peaches:
Start by peeling, pitting, and chopping those fresh peaches into bite-sized pieces. Make sure to get rid of all the skin and pits for a smooth butter!
2. Mix Everything in the Crockpot:
In your crockpot, combine the chopped peaches with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves (if you’re using them), and salt. Stir everything well to get the sugars mixed in with the peaches.
3. Let it Cook:
Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on low for about 8 to 10 hours or on high for around 4 to 5 hours. Keep the lid on and stir occasionally towards the end to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom.
4. Blend for Smoothness:
Once you’ve got that lovely thick texture and deep color, grab your immersion blender and puree the mixture until it’s nice and smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the mixture to a regular blender in batches and blend until each batch is smooth.
5. Thicken It Up:
After blending, switch to cooking it uncovered on low for another 1 to 2 hours. This step will help thicken it up even more. Stir frequently to avoid burning as that would spoil your delicious peach butter!
6. Store Your Peach Butter:
Allow your peach butter to cool slightly before you transfer it to sterilized jars. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. If you want it to last longer, process it using a hot water bath.
7. Enjoyingly Serve:
This peach butter is fantastic spread on toast, biscuits, or even used as a topping for yogurt or desserts. Spread love on your breakfast or snacks with this fruity delight!
FAQ for Easy Homemade Peach Butter in a Crockpot
Can I Use Frozen Peaches Instead of Fresh Ones?
Yes, you can use frozen peaches! Just make sure they’re completely thawed and drained before chopping and adding them to the crockpot. This ensures that the peach butter doesn’t become too watery.
How Sweet Should I Make My Peach Butter?
The sweetness can be adjusted to your taste. Start with the suggested amounts of granulated and brown sugar, and then taste the mixture as it cooks. Feel free to add more sugar if you prefer a sweeter flavor.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store your peach butter in sterilized jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. If you’d like to keep it longer, you can process the jars in a hot water bath for canning, which allows for shelf storage.
What Else Can I Use Peach Butter For?
Peach butter is versatile! Apart from spreading it on toast and biscuits, try using it as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or yogurt. It can also be used in baking recipes, such as in muffins or as a filling for pastries!
