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Peach Butter
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5 from 4 votes

Peach Butter

Peach butter is a silky, spreadable preserve made by slow cooking peaches down to a thick, glossy spread. No pectin required.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Additional Time10 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Preserve
Cuisine: American
Keyword: fruit butter
Servings: 64 servings, Makes 8 half-pint (8-ounce) jars
Author: Ashley Adamant

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 to 4 1/2 lbs peaches about 14-18 medium, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup water
  • 4 cups sugar
  • 3 Tbsp lemon juice fresh or bottled, for flavor
  • zest of 1 lemon optional, for flavor

Instructions

  • Prepare a water bath canner, jars, and lids before beginning.
  • Blanch the peaches in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds, then transfer to a bowl of ice water. Slip off the skins, halve the peaches, and remove the pits.
  • Chop the peeled peaches and place them in a heavy-bottomed pot with the water, bottled lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until soft and broken down, about 20 minutes.
  • Blend smooth using an immersion blender, food mill, or food processor. Measure the puree against the recipe's target.
  • Return the puree to the pot and stir in the sugar until it dissolves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a gentle boil and cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom, until thickened and it mounds on a spoon. The butter thickens further as it cools, so stop slightly early.
  • Ladle the hot butter into prepared jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles, wipe the rims clean, center the lids, and apply the bands fingertip tight.
  • Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes for half pints or pints, adjusting for altitude (see notes).
  • Turn off the heat and let the jars stand in the canner for 5 minutes, then remove and cool undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours. Check seals before storing.

Notes

Doneness: The butter is ready when it mounds on a spoon, and a spoonful on a cold plate doesn't weep a rim of liquid. It thickens further as it cools, so pull it slightly early rather than overcooking.
Peaches: About 4 to 4 1/2 pounds of peaches yields roughly 2 quarts of puree. Do not use white-fleshed peaches, which run lower in acid than yellow varieties. Fresh or frozen both work.
Sugar: The sugar is for flavor and body, not preservation. You can make a less-sweet butter, but a large cut changes the texture, cook time, and yield.
Spices: Stir in a little cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg near the end of cooking for a spiced peach butter. Start with 1/2 teaspoon and taste as you go.
Storage: Properly canned and sealed jars keep at room temperature for 12 to 18 months. Refrigerate after opening. Without canning, store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks or freeze for up to a year in freezer-safe jars.
Altitude Adjustments:
  • 0 to 1,000 feet, 10 minutes.
  • 1,001 to 6,000 feet, 15 minutes.
  • Above 6,000 feet, 20 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tbsp. | Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.1mg