Simple Spiced Peach Butter Recipe (or No Spice – You Choose!)
Welcome, frugal food lovers! Today, we’re making a delightful homemade preserve that will quickly become a kitchen favorite: Spiced Peach Butter.
If you loved my easy homemade peach jam, you’re going to adore this recipe. It’s packed with the rich, concentrated flavor of ripe peaches, enhanced with a touch of warming spices. Plus, it has the added bonus of less sugar and no added pectin.
Perfect for those who are looking to cut down on sugar without sacrificing taste or those who prefer a more natural approach to their homemade spreads. And don’t worry – if you prefer your peach butter without added spices, just leave them out: it’s that easy!
Why Spiced Peach Butter?
Peach butter is an excellent choice for anyone wanting a fruit spread with less sugar. My spiced peach butter recipe uses only half the sugar compared to traditional jam recipes, making it a healthier option for you and your family.
Not only does this mean fewer calories, but it also lets the natural sweetness and flavor of the peaches shine through more vividly.
The magic of peach butter lies in its simplicity. With more fruit and less sugar, every spoonful bursts with pure peachy goodness. And because we’re not using any added pectin, the process is straightforward and natural, allowing the fruit’s natural pectin to do all the work.
The Allure of No Added Pectin
One of the standout features of this peach butter recipe is the absence of added pectin. Many homemade jam and jelly recipes call for added pectin to help the spread set, but this isn’t necessary with fruit butter.
The longer cooking process allows the fruit to break down and thicken naturally. This not only simplifies the recipe but also means fewer ingredients and a purer, fruitier flavor.
For those who may be unfamiliar, pectin is a naturally occurring substance found in fruits that, when heated with sugar, causes the liquid to gel. While pectin is perfectly safe, some prefer to avoid added pectin in their cooking.
If you’re one of those people, this peach butter recipe is perfect for you!
Spicing it Up
While the pure, unadulterated flavor of peach butter is delightful on its own, adding spices like cinnamon and cloves takes it to a whole new level.
These warm spices complement the sweetness of the peaches, adding depth and a hint of coziness to each bite. Think of it as the peachy equivalent of a warm hug on a cool autumn day.
However, if you’re a purist or simply prefer a simpler flavor profile, feel free to omit the spices. The beauty of homemade preserves is that they’re easily customizable to suit your taste.
Whether you choose to spice things up or keep it classic, this peach butter will be a hit.
Versatility in Your Kitchen
One of the best things about spiced peach butter is its versatility. Here are just a few ways you can enjoy this delicious spread:
- On Toast: Start your morning right with a generous slather of peach butter on a slice of toast or a warm biscuit.
- In Baking: Swirl it into your muffin or cake batter for a burst of fruity flavor.
- As a Topping: Use it as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or even ice cream for a delightful treat.
- In Yogurt: Stir it into plain yogurt for a naturally sweetened snack.
- As a Gift: Homemade peach butter makes a thoughtful and delicious gift for friends and family.
The Recipe
Now that you’re sold on the many virtues of spiced peach butter, let’s get down to the recipe. Remember, you can opt to leave the spices out – the peach butter on its own, without any added spices, is very delicious!
To thicken the peaches, the ingredients need to be cooked for a period of time to reduce the water content. The fastest way to do this is on the stovetop – it takes just 20 minutes of cook time, but the drawback is that you must stir the mixture the entire time to keep the bottom from scorching.
If you don’t want to stand in front of the stove for 20 minutes, you can also bring the mixture to a boil and then transfer it to a slow cooker. Cook on high for 2 to 4 hours, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Another tip: this recipe works just as well using frozen peaches as it does with fresh peaches. So pull some frozen peaches out of your freezer and get your jam on!
Simple Spiced Peach Butter Recipe
6
250 ml jars15
minutes30
minutes
This Spiced Peach Butter recipe combines the natural sweetness of ripe peaches with the warm flavors of cinnamon and cloves. With less sugar and no added pectin, it’s a healthy, natural fruit spread perfect for toast, baking, and more.
Ingredients
5 c crushed peaches
2.5 c sugar
1/4 c lemon juice (prevents browning)
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1/2 tsp ground cloves (optional)
Directions
- Place crushed peaches and lemon juice in a large pot and bring to a boil, stirring constantly
- Add sugar and bring to a boil again while stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until it thickens – about 20 minutes. Keep stirring!*
- Add spices and mix well.
- Carefully ladle the hot peach butter into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace.
- Wipe the rims of the jars clean, place the lids on, and secure the bands.
- Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes
- Remove from water bath, let cool, and store in a cool, dark place until opened. Keep refrigerated after opening.
Notes
- *If you don’t want to stand in front of the stove for 20 minutes, you can also bring the mixture to a boil and then transfer it to a slow cooker. Cook on high for 2 to 4 hours, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Enjoy Your Homemade Peach Butter
There you have it—a simple, delicious recipe for spiced peach butter that’s sure to become a favorite in your household. With less sugar, no added pectin, and the option to customize with spices, this peach butter is as wholesome as it is versatile.
Enjoy spreading a little homemade goodness on everything from toast to desserts, and savor the rich, concentrated flavor of summer’s best fruit. Happy cooking!
Hi! I’d like to make this today. The instructions never mention the lemon juice. Where does the lemon juice come in?
Hi Jolynn, I am so sorry I didn’t see your comment yesterday. You are right, I missed that in the instructions! Lemon juice is added to the crushed peach right at the beginning, it keeps the peaches from browning.
This was awesome! I did 1/2 cup less sugar so yummy Thank you
Hi Kristine, thanks for the comment. So glad you like my recipe. I’ll have to try it with reduced sugar next time 🙂
I have some canned peaches i need to use in some other way can I use them to make this if i drain them well?
Hi Susan, I’ve never tried this recipe with canned peaches myself, but I don’t see why not. I’ve used canned peaches and pears in jam recipes in a pinch, and they turned out great. In the case of this peach butter recipe, I would recommend adjusting the sugar if your peaches have been canned in syrup – reduce the sugar by at least half, and then taste test after the peaches have cooked down a bit and add more sugar then if needed.