Pioneer Woman Peach Preserves is made with peaches, white sugar, and lemon juice. This easy Pioneer Woman recipe creates a sweet and tangy dessert topping that takes about 3 hours to prepare and can serve up to 5 to 6 pint-sized jars.
Pioneer Woman Peach Preserves Ingredients
- 11 lbs peaches, rinsed
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups white sugar, adjust based on the sweetness of peaches
- Juice of 1 medium lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
Special Equipment Needed:
- 5-6 pint-sized jars with lids
How To Make Pioneer Woman Peach Preserves
1. Prepare the Peaches:
- Blanch the Peaches: Fill two-thirds of a large soup pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the peaches for 30-45 seconds, then remove them with a slotted spoon. Immediately transfer the peaches to a large bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Peel and Prep: Once cooled, peel the skins off the peaches. Cut them into quarters and remove the pits. This preparation will make the peaches ready for cooking into preserves.
2. Make the Preserves:
- Combine Ingredients: Place all peeled and quartered peaches in the same large soup pot. Squeeze in the juice of one medium lemon over the peaches to enhance flavor and preservation.
- Add Sugar: Drizzle 2 cups of sugar over the peaches, tossing them to coat evenly. Follow with the remaining 1.5-2 cups of sugar, ensuring all peaches are well-coated. Adjust the sugar amount based on the natural sweetness of your peaches.
- Let Sit and Dissolve: Allow the sugared peaches to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour, or until the sugar is mostly dissolved. This process helps to draw out the natural juices of the peaches, creating a richer flavor base.
3. Cook and Process:
- Heat and Simmer: Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a light boil, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and continue to cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens to your desired consistency.
- Cool: Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature, ensuring it does not sit out for more than 2 hours to maintain safety.
4. Sterilize Jars and Seal:
- Sterilize Equipment: Preheat your oven to 215°F (102°C). Place the jars on a baking sheet and let them dry in the oven for about 20 minutes or until completely dry. Meanwhile, boil the lids for 5 minutes to sterilize.
- Fill Jars: Using a glass measuring cup and a funnel, carefully transfer the hot preserves into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the inside of each jar to remove any air bubbles.
- Seal: Wipe the rims with a moist towel to remove any residue. Place the sterilized lids on the jars and screw on the bands until finger-tight.
5. Process in Water Bath:
- Process Jars: Place the filled jars in a canning pot covered with 1-2 inches of water. Bring the water to a boil and process the jars for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the jars stand in the hot water for another 5 minutes.
- Cool and Store: Use a jar lifter to remove the jars from the water, keeping them upright. Place the jars on a towel in a draft-free area and let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours. After 24 hours, check the seals by pressing down on the center of each lid. If the lid does not move, the jar is properly sealed. Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place.
Recipe Tips
- Use Ripe Peaches: Pick peaches that are fully ripe for the best sweetness and easy peeling.
- Sugar to Your Taste: Change the amount of sugar based on how sweet your peaches are. Add more sugar if the peaches are less sweet, and less if they are very sweet.
- Add Lemon Juice: Lemon juice makes the preserves taste a little tart and helps them set better.
- Cook Slowly: Cook the preserves on low heat to avoid burning and to develop the flavors better.
- Sterilize Jars: Clean your jars properly to keep the preserves fresh longer. Dry them in the oven to remove any water.
- Check the Jar Lids: After sealing the jars, press the middle of the lid to check if it’s tight. If the lid pops up, it’s not sealed right and should be kept in the fridge and used first.
- Be Creative with Serving: Besides spreading it on bread, try using your peach preserves in sauces for salads or as a sweet addition to meat dishes.
What To Serve With Peach Preserves
Peach Preserves pair well with fresh scones, Greek yogurt, vanilla ice cream, and whole grain pancakes. They also can be served alongside oatmeal, cottage cheese, toast, and croissants.
How To Store Peach Preserves
- Refrigerate: Cool the Pioneer Woman Peach Preserves completely after cooking. Then, ensure each jar’s seal is intact; jars with properly sealed lids can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
- Freeze: It is generally not recommended to freeze peach preserves, as the freezing process can alter the texture and consistency of the gel. Instead, focus on proper canning techniques to extend the shelf life of your preserves.
- In Pantry: When properly canned and stored, the preserves can last in the pantry for up to 1 year. Always check the seal before use and ensure there are no signs of spoilage.
Pioneer Woman Peach Preserves Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 50
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Dietary Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 13 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 0 mg
FAQs
Can I Use Frozen Peaches?
Yes, if you don’t have fresh peaches, you can use frozen ones. Make sure to let them thaw and drain off extra water before you start.
What If I Don’t Have A Special Pot For Canning?
No problem! You can use any big pot. Just make sure there is something like a rack at the bottom to keep the jars off the direct heat.
How Do I Know If My Preserves Have Been Set Properly?
Put a little bit of the preserves on a cold plate and freeze it for a few minutes. If it feels firm and wrinkles when you touch it, it’s ready. If it’s still runny, cook it a bit more and check again.
What If The Jar Doesn’t Seal?
If the jar lid pops up when you press it, keep that jar in the fridge and use it within three weeks. Don’t leave it out at room temperature.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Pear Preserves
- Pioneer Woman Bacon Jam Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Strawberry Jam
- Pioneer Woman Blackberry Jam
- Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Applesauce
Pioneer Woman Peach Preserves
Description
Pioneer Woman Peach Preserves is made with peaches, white sugar, and lemon juice. This easy Pioneer Woman recipe creates a sweet and tangy dessert topping that takes about 3 hours to prepare and can serve up to 5 to 6 pint-sized jars.
Ingredients
Special Equipment Needed:
Cooking Instructions
- Blanch the Peaches: Fill two-thirds of a large soup pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the peaches for 30-45 seconds, then remove them with a slotted spoon. Immediately transfer the peaches to a large bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Peel and Prep: Once cooled, peel the skins off the peaches. Cut them into quarters and remove the pits. This preparation will make the peaches ready for cooking into preserves.
- Combine Ingredients: Place all peeled and quartered peaches in the same large soup pot. Squeeze in the juice of one medium lemon over the peaches to enhance flavor and preservation.
- Add Sugar: Drizzle 2 cups of sugar over the peaches, tossing them to coat evenly. Follow with the remaining 1.5-2 cups of sugar, ensuring all peaches are well-coated. Adjust the sugar amount based on the natural sweetness of your peaches.
- Let Sit and Dissolve: Allow the sugared peaches to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour, or until the sugar is mostly dissolved. This process helps to draw out the natural juices of the peaches, creating a richer flavor base.
- Heat and Simmer: Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a light boil, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and continue to cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens to your desired consistency.
- Cool: Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature, ensuring it does not sit out for more than 2 hours to maintain safety.
- Sterilize Equipment: Preheat your oven to 215°F (102°C). Place the jars on a baking sheet and let them dry in the oven for about 20 minutes or until completely dry. Meanwhile, boil the lids for 5 minutes to sterilize.
- Fill Jars: Using a glass measuring cup and a funnel, carefully transfer the hot preserves into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the inside of each jar to remove any air bubbles.
- Seal: Wipe the rims with a moist towel to remove any residue. Place the sterilized lids on the jars and screw on the bands until finger-tight.
- Process Jars: Place the filled jars in a canning pot covered with 1-2 inches of water. Bring the water to a boil and process the jars for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the jars stand in the hot water for another 5 minutes.
- Cool and Store: Use a jar lifter to remove the jars from the water, keeping them upright. Place the jars on a towel in a draft-free area and let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours. After 24 hours, check the seals by pressing down on the center of each lid. If the lid does not move, the jar is properly sealed. Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place.
Prepare the Peaches:
Make the Preserves:
Cook and Process:
Sterilize Jars and Seal:
Process in Water Bath:
Notes
- Use Ripe Peaches: Pick peaches that are fully ripe for the best sweetness and easy peeling.
- Sugar to Your Taste: Change the amount of sugar based on how sweet your peaches are. Add more sugar if the peaches are less sweet, and less if they are very sweet.
- Add Lemon Juice: Lemon juice makes the preserves taste a little tart and helps them set better.
- Cook Slowly: Cook the preserves on low heat to avoid burning and to develop the flavors better.
- Sterilize Jars: Clean your jars properly to keep the preserves fresh longer. Dry them in the oven to remove any water.
- Check the Jar Lids: After sealing the jars, press the middle of the lid to check if it’s tight. If the lid pops up, it’s not sealed right and should be kept in the fridge and used first.
- Be Creative with Serving: Besides spreading it on bread, try using your peach preserves in sauces for salads or as a sweet addition to meat dishes.