Country Style Peach Butter Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED PEACH BUTTER

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the peaches, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon and cloves. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until peaches are very soft, stirring occasionally., Stir in tapioca. Cook, uncovered, on high for 1 hour or until thickened. Pour into jars or freezer containers; cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 1 year. To use frozen peach butter: Thaw in the refrigerator for 1-2 days; use within 3 weeks.

PEACH BUTTER

Steps:

• Peel and rough chop the peaches. Note: I love my serrated vegetable peeler for this job. The fine teeth make quick work of the soft peach skin.
• Add the peaches to a heavy pot along with the water and sugar. Heat on medium, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When the mixture comes to a boil, lower the heat slightly and cook for about 20 minutes until the peaches are completely tender. Stir occasionally.
• Add the lemon juice to the peaches, and then, working in batches, puree the fruit until it is completely smooth. Don't rush this step, let the processor or blender run long enough to get all of the lumps.
• At this point I strain the puree through a mesh strainer just to make sure it is completely smooth. Push it firmly with the back of a spoon to get all the puree through. Discard any lumps. If your puree is smooth enough, you can skip this step.
• Put the puree back into the (rinsed out) pan and bring back up to a boil. Lower the heat and cook gently until it is greatly reduced and thickened. This will take about 25-30 minutes or so, depending on the size of your pan. Stir very frequently during this step so the fruit doesn't scorch. I like to use a splatter screen because it does splatter. Note: the longer you cook the peach puree, the thicker the butter will be. You know it's ready when it starts to darken slightly, and your stirring starts to leave trails in the mixture. Test it by dipping a spoon in, and then run your finger down the spoon, if the butter doesn't fill in the strip, it's ready.
• Ladle the hot peach butter into a clean jar or jars and let cool before capping and refrigerating. The peach butter will thicken as it cools. Consume within a couple of weeks. You can also freeze the butter for up to 6 months, just put the cooled butter into a freezer safe container, leaving 1/2 inch at the top to allow for expansion.

COUNTRY PEACH PIE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Pulse the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal with pea-size bits of butter. Add 1/2 cup ice water and pulse until the dough just starts to come together. Divide the dough between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and form each into a disk; wrap tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Make the filling: Toss the peaches in a bowl with 3/4 cup sugar, the flour, lemon juice and spices.
• Lightly dust a large piece of parchment paper with flour. Roll out 1 piece of the dough into a 12-inch round on the parchment. Ease the dough into a 9-inch pie plate. Add the filling, mounding it slightly in the center; dot with the butter and refrigerate. Roll out the second piece of dough into a 12-inch round and cut it into 1/2-inch-wide strips. Lay half of the strips on the pie in one direction, leaving about 1 inch of space between each strip. Lay the remaining strips on top, crossing them diagonally to make a lattice pattern (no need to weave); trim the edges of the strips, leaving a small overhang. Fold the overhanging dough under itself and crimp the edge of the crust with your fingers.
• Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush on the crust edge and lattice top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Put a baking sheet on the rack and preheat to 425 degrees F. Put the pie on the hot baking sheet and bake 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and continue baking until the pie is golden and the filling is bubbly, 50 minutes to 1 hour. (Cover loosely with foil if the top is browning too quickly.) Transfer to a rack to cool completely before slicing.

COUNTRY STYLE PEACH BUTTER

Steps:

• Puree peaches in a blender. Canned apricots may be used.
• Put peaches, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice in a slow cooker.
• Simmer on high for 2 hours.
• I would watch this because fruit BURNS; put on low to hold or pour into hot jars; seal.

PEACH BUTTER

Steps:

• Set out a large bowl of ice water.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Carefully put 2 peaches at a time in the boiling water; leave them until scalded, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Quickly transfer to the ice water, leaving them to cool for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat to scald and cool remaining peaches.
• Peel peach skin; discard skin and pits. Chop peach flesh and place in a large pot over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 30 minutes, adding water if necessary to prevent from sticking.
• Meanwhile, inspect 4 pint-sized jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until peach butter is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Place cooked peaches in a blender; puree until smooth. Measure out 8 cups peach pulp and transfer back to the pot. Reserve any extra pulp for another use.
• Add sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the peach pulp. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat; simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture has reduced and thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Pack peach butter into hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any residue. Top with lids and screw rings on tightly.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and let rest, several inches apart, for 12 to 24 hours. Press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.