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I love peaches! I want to shout it from the roof top… I. Love. Peaches!
Summer is nearing its end, which means peaches are nearing their end, too. I hate to admit that peach season is almost over, but I have to come to terms with it. The fear of not having fresh peaches at my disposal is torchering me. I’m not ready to give up peaches, so I made a quick decision and decided that canning them at their peak of ripeness was the next best thing to having fresh, juicy peaches. What better way to preserve them than to make a peach butter? It’s summer in a jar. Pure peach flavor in the form of a smooth, velvety butter. Yum!
I made enough to last all winter. All I have to do is pop the top off the ol’ mason jar and spread the peachy love all over my morning toast, or drizzle it over my yogurt or ice cream.
Now, I know some people like to add cinnamon to their fruit butters, however, I wanted to keep this butter simple and preserve the pure flavor of a fresh peach, as if you’ve picked it right off the tree.
It took me a long time to get over my fear of canning. The word “botulism” scared the bejeezus out of me, and I sure as heck didn’t want to go spreading that around.
Once I overcame my fear, I found that canning is really, very easy. Just knowing that I have a stock pile of fresh produce preserved at the peak of ripeness in my pantry, makes me all giddy on the inside, with a touch of pride. It’s like Tom Hanks in Castaway, “I made fire!” Instead, “I preserved fruit!” It’s a very rewarding feeling.
Don’t worry, I’ll hold your hand through the process. Make sure you’re on the straight and narrow. Get the job done right.
You can do it! I, Jennie, believe in you.
If you need some help along the way, the Ball company provides amazing tips on canning and preserving fresh produce. Their site was a life saver for me when I first started my canning journey. If I got stuck or had questions, I’d find myself on their site searching for the answer. They are canning pros, over there. I know canning can be scary, but I’m here to help. Just shoot me an email titled “HELP!” and I’ll be all over it.
Here’s why you need this peach butter in your life:
1. It tastes like a fresh picked peach straight off the tree.
2. It makes for an awesome gift. Shh, don’t tell, but I’m giving away some of these jars for Christmas.
3. You can put this fruity butter on anything: biscuits, yogurt, pancakes, muffins, french toast, cheesecake, cottage cheese, etc. Let your imagination go wild. Heck, I eat it right out of the jar with a spoon.
Now, to teach you how to make it.
Peach Butter
5 lbs. peaches
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
10 8 oz. mason jars
Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add the peaches to the boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove. The skins will slide right off with the tug of your fingers.
Slice the peaches right off the pit and cut into fat chunks. Add the peach chunks to a large pot, then add the sugar and water. Simmer until peaches are tender, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you have an immersion blender, puree peaches right in the pot until very smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer the mixture to a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth, then add the mixture back to the pot.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, and cook for 30-40 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken. Stir frequently to ensure the mixture doesn’t burn on the bottom of the pot. The butter is done when there is a visible trace left with your finger on a wooden spoon.
To can:
Wash your jars, lids, and rings in hot soapy water. Rinse well. Sterilize the jars and rings by boiling them in a large pot of water for 10 minutes (the water should cover the jars completely). Add the lids to a clean bowl and add a ladle of boiling water to the bowl. Remove the jars and rings onto a clean towel, placing the jars upside down to remove any excess water. Remove the lids from the bowl onto the clean towel. Divide the hot peach butter between the jars, leaving about a 1/2-inch space at the top. Wipe the rims clean with a paper towel and cover with lids and screw on the rings. Submerge the jars in the pot of boiling water, either in a removable basket (I recommend the basket. It makes the process easier, and you’re less likely to get burned) or with tongs. Make sure the jars are fully submerged and covered with at least 1 inch of water. Boil for ten minutes. Remove the basket or dip out individually with tongs. Let cool completely on the towel, leaving them there overnight, untouched (do not touch the lids or push on them). You’ll begin to hear a popping sound a few minutes after the jars have been removed from the hot water. This is completely normal and a good sign that you properly canned the butter. The next morning, check the lids by making sure they don’t make a popping sound when pressed with your finger. If they’re canned correctly, the lids won’t budge or flex. If they do flex, place the jar in the fridge and use right away. Label and date the jars and store at room temperature.
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Hi and welcome to my flour-dusted kitchen! The name's Jennie. I'm a lover of cupcakes, an avid spatula licker, and a huge fan of sprinkles. Baking is my passion, but you'll find some savory dishes scattered amongst copious amounts of frosting and chocolate. I love hearing from ya, so feel free to leave me some love. Thanks for stopping by my little piece of the interweb.
omg YUMMMMMMM
Hi, my name is Jen and I’m afraid of canning.
Until now…because I want peach butter so bad.
Welcome, Jen. Take my hand and I’ll guide you through the wonderful world of canning. You can do it. I have faith in you. Do you need me to fly to Texas for a lesson? I’ll do it… for you.
Yes, you need to fly to Texas. Immediately. There will be donuts waiting.
Hi, my name is movita, and I, too, am afraid of canning.
So I make my neighbours do it.
I’ll hand this recipe on to them.
Now I want peaches andI want to try this peach butter you speak of! I also want to try canning. I didn’t know how easy it was.
I remember when I first tried canning w strawberry jam. I didn’t die! Woohoo! As much as I love peaches, I haven’t had too many this year. I think summer was just screwed up in general. Maybe if I can find any good ones left this weekend, I’ll hurry up and make this butter.
I like how you didn’t add cinnamon to this and aimed to capture the fresh peach flavor!
I’ve never canned a thing in my life. Not because I don’t want to, but because it takes planning and that’s a word that I don’t know the meaning of.
So I think I’ll just stop by your house and pick up a couple of jars mm’kay?
I’ve never had peach butter before, but it sounds wonderful! Great way to preserve the deliciousness of summer peaches!
My parents did a lot of canning but I have not so far. This looks so good though! I wonder if I could make a smaller batch and use right away instead of canning.
….i’mscaredofcanning….O.O
What a great way to savor the taste of summer, all year long
I don’t can. I make a small batch and eat it all right away. #iamachicken
I know there is nothing to be afraid of, I’ve been to the demos too, yet I just don’t want to deal with me. I’m more afraid of the jars breaking than anything else!
However, lucky you will get to enjoy the taste of fresh peaches well into the winter!
I have also never tried canning but partly because I am not used to eating canned items…maybe I will have to try it sometime.
Oh my! Should i just send you my address?! i’m sure you need help with finishing 10 mason jars! This would surely make for the ultimate gift!
I totally have a fear of canning too. I really want to get over it though so I can make delicious peach butter and pickles and other fun canned things!
i’m terrified of canning – but i want your peach butter…i’m not sure how i’m supposed to reconcile those!
Peaches are just “ok” for me, but my husband LOVES it if I make anything with them. I’ve only canned one time (apple butter)…he’d be so happy if I made this!
I love peaches too so you know I’ll be making this ASAP!
whoa….. i’ve never had peach butter before!
Thank you for your canning help, l for sure need some help. I still have a canning fear. I love the idea of making a peach butter, that would be delicious!!! Take care, Hugs, Terra
ok, so here’s my confession: i’m utterly afraid of canning. i’ve never canned one thing – not one thing! – because i’m super afraid i’ll kill someone. or that i’ll go to get something awesome that i’ve canned, like this peach butter, and find mold like, EVERYWHERE. i don’t even know if that happens in real life, but it happens in my head.
i say that because when i read this, it built up my confidence a little. enough, dare i say, to maybe try canning. we’ve had such nice produce here this summer, and it seems a shame not to preserve some of it. i’m still nervous, but maybe i’ll try it. if not this year, then next summer. it will happen.
I am all over anything with the word “butter” in the title! Combine it with “peach” and ooh la la… !
Butta makes everything better! Thanks, Kale!
I can see this drizzled over pound cake. Or maybe over Greek yogurt. How about mixing it in with the yogurt and drizzling that over pound cake? You have my address for those Christmas gifts, right?
MMMMMmmmmmmm, I’m thinking maybe over the weekend ; )
I’m so glad you got over your fear of canning! It opens up a whole new world! Love, love, love this peach sauce, but then – like you – I LOVE peaches as you can see from my gravatar!
You sold me when you said it taste like a fresh picked peach! Beautiful jars of peaches!
SO excited! My aunt just brought home 10lbs of peaches from SC – I would have never eaten them on time! THANK YOU!!!!!!
That’s a lot of peaches! Happy canning. They make great gifts.
I just tried this, I split it into two batches though since I wanted a spiced version to go on ice cream
It’s the best of summer in a can.
McKenzie, I’m so glad you liked the peach butter! Thanks for visiting and trying my recipe. It really is summer in a can- pure peach flavor. Enjoy!
A few weeks ago I made one batch, just to try it. WOW!! Today I was driving all over trying to find the last of the fresh peaches so I can make more. I don’t want to run out before next year. I have been told in no uncertain terms that I am not allowed to give any of it away for Christmas gifts. I think that means they like it. Thanks for sharing a fabulous recipe!
Lori, I’m so glad you enjoyed the peach butter. I’d take it that they really enjoyed it. Good luck on your peach hunt, and thanks for visiting my site.
Can’t wait to can this! Thanks for the recipe!
I love peaches as well. I think they are the best fruit I have ever eaten. I have a saying, “When God was making the peach He was thinking of me!” LOL
Thanks for the recipe!