This Easy Homemade Crockpot Peach Butter is a sweet treat that fills your kitchen with a lovely fruity aroma. Just fresh peaches, sugar, and spices cooked low and slow for a yummy spread!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Fresh Peaches: The star of this recipe! Look for ripe, sweet peaches for the best flavor. If fresh peaches aren’t available, you can use frozen peaches (thawed) or canned peaches (drained) as substitutes.
Granulated Sugar: This helps to sweeten the peach butter. Adjust based on the sweetness of your peaches. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, consider using honey or maple syrup, but remember to adjust the quantity since they’re sweeter.
Brown Sugar: Adds depth and a hint of caramel flavor. You can swap it with coconut sugar if you prefer a less processed option, or use extra granulated sugar if brown sugar isn’t available.
Lemon Juice: Keeps the peach color vibrant and adds a nice tart kick. If you’re out of lemon juice, lime juice works too! You can also skip it if you prefer to keep it sweet.
Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves bring warmth to the flavor profile. Feel free to switch it up! You could add ginger or even a pinch of cardamom for a unique twist.
How Do You Get Peaches Ready for Cooking?
Preparing peaches might seem tricky, but it’s quite simple! Here’s how to do it:
- Begin by blanching the peaches. Boil water and drop the peaches in for 30 seconds.
- Transfer them to a bowl of cold water immediately. This helps the skins peel off effortlessly!
- Once cooled, the skins should slide off easily. Now, pit and slice your peaches for the slow cooker.
Taking this extra step makes the prep fast and easy, so you can enjoy your delicious peach butter sooner!
Easy Homemade Crockpot Peach Butter
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 6 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (about 8-10 medium peaches)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This simple recipe takes about 15-20 minutes to prepare and then requires between 4-10 hours for cooking, depending on your settings. It’s great for overnight cooking, so you can wake up to delicious peach butter!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Peaches:
Start by peeling, pitting, and slicing your fresh peaches. To make this process easier, blanch them by boiling water and immersing the peaches for about 30 seconds. Quickly transfer them to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. The skins should slip right off!
2. Combine Ingredients in the Crockpot:
Once your peaches are ready, place them in the crockpot. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Give everything a good stir until well mixed.
3. Cook Everything Up:
Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours. Make sure to stir occasionally. The mixture will smell amazing and will thicken as it cooks!
4. Blend for Smoothness:
After cooking, grab an immersion blender and blend the peach mixture right in the crockpot until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer the mixture in batches to a regular blender. Just be careful, as the mixture will be hot!
5. Final Touches:
If you’re using vanilla extract, stir it in now and taste your peach butter. Feel free to adjust the sweetness or spices to your liking.
6. Thicken Further if Needed:
If you prefer a thicker texture, leave the lid off and continue cooking on LOW for an additional 30-60 minutes, stirring often until you reach your desired consistency.
7. Store Your Peach Butter:
Let the finished peach butter cool before transferring it to sterilized jars for storage. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. If you want it to last longer, process the jars in a water bath canner.
8. Enjoy!
Your homemade peach butter is ready! Spread it on toast, biscuits, or use it as a topping for your favorite desserts. Enjoy the sweet, delightful taste of summer in every bite!
This crockpot method is so convenient and gives you a beautifully concentrated peach flavor without much fuss. Enjoy your cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Frozen Peaches for This Recipe?
Yes, you can! Just make sure to thaw the frozen peaches completely before using them. If they’re still a bit icy, they may release too much water, which could affect the final texture of your peach butter.
How Can I Adjust the Sweetness of the Peach Butter?
Great question! You can adjust the sweetness easily by tasting the mixture after it’s cooked. If you find it needs more sweetness, add a bit more granulated sugar or honey while it’s still warm, and stir until dissolved.
How Should I Store Leftovers of Peach Butter?
Store your peach butter in clean, sterilized jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Make sure they’re airtight! If you want to keep it longer, consider canning using a water bath method to preserve it for several months.
Can I Add Other Spices or Flavorings?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with spices like ginger, cardamom, or even a bit of citrus zest for added flavor. Just remember to adjust the quantities to suit your taste preferences!
