Georgia Spiced Peaches Recipe
This recipe yields 100 servings, perfect for preserving the summer's sweetness in jars. The steps below will guide you through the process of canning peaches with a simple and delicious syrup. Please follow each step carefully to ensure perfect results.
Ingredients
- 7 pounds white sugar
- 1 quart water
- 2 cups distilled white vinegar
- 19 pounds firm ripe peaches, peeled
- 3 tablespoons crushed cinnamon stick
- 24 whole cloves
Directions
Step 1: Inspect your canning jars (quart- or gallon-sized) for any cracks or rust around the rings. Discard any defective jars. Once checked, place the jars in simmering water for at least 5 minutes to sterilize them.
Step 2: Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm, soapy water. Set aside to dry.
Step 3: In a very large pot, bring the sugar, water, and vinegar to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir frequently until the syrup thickens moderately.
Step 4: Once the syrup has thickened, add the peeled peaches, crushed cinnamon stick, and whole cloves. Continue to boil, stirring occasionally, until the peaches are soft enough to be easily pierced with a fork. This should take around 20 to 30 minutes.
Step 5: Using tongs, carefully fill your sterilized jars with the peaches. Continue boiling the syrup until it becomes heavier, then ladle the syrup into the jars over the peaches, filling each jar to within 1/4 inch of the top.
Step 6: Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the inside of each jar to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to ensure there is no residue left.
Step 7: Place the lids on the jars and screw the rings on tightly to secure them.
Step 8: Prepare a large stockpot by placing a rack in the bottom and filling it halfway with water. Bring the water to a boil. Using a jar holder, carefully lower the jars into the boiling water, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart.
Step 9: Add more boiling water to the pot to cover the jars by 2 inches. Bring the water back to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process the jars for 35 minutes.
Step 10: Once the processing time is complete, carefully remove the jars from the pot. Let them rest on a wood or cloth-covered surface for 12 to 24 hours, allowing them to cool and seal.
Step 11: After cooling, press the center of each lid with your finger to ensure that it has properly sealed (it should not move up or down). Once confirmed, remove the rings and store the jars in a cool, dark place.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (based on the full amount of canning syrup):
| Nutrition Facts | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Sodium | 4mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 36g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 36g |
| Vitamin C | 28mg |
| Calcium | 11mg |
| Iron | 0mg |
| Potassium | 23mg |
Note: The actual amount consumed will vary based on how much syrup is used with each serving.
Comments
Ashley Torres
11/27/2024 07:33:42 AM
This spiced peaches recipe is truly exceptional! I slightly modified the canning process by preparing the syrup separately and pouring it over the raw-packed peaches in sanitized jars. Processing them in a hot water bath for 25 minutes per pint was much simpler for me. The flavor was perfect - not too overpowering, not too subtle. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Patrick Gonzalez
09/05/2023 11:44:46 AM
Great recipe, but I believe there is a typo in the amount of sugar listed. It should be 7 cups of sugar, not 7 pounds. Otherwise, everything turned out great. - Susan
Matthew Davis
06/14/2024 10:54:58 PM
This was my first time pickling peaches, and I decided to reduce the sugar by 75% since we prefer less sweetness and I didn't think all that sugar was necessary. After waiting a month for them to mature, we finally opened the jar last night and they were fantastic! They had the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, making them a great addition to chicken or pork dishes. I even thickened the spiced juice and drizzled it over some ice cream - delicious! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Jacob Sanchez
08/21/2023 12:59:18 PM
I have been preserving peaches for 15 years and I must say, this recipe is truly the best one I've come across. However, I would suggest cutting down the sugar by 2 cups. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Kevin Allen
09/29/2022 05:12:47 PM
I absolutely loved this recipe! I decided to make only half of it just to give it a try. I prepared it in the summer of 2001 using fresh peaches and allowed them to marinate in the spices for a while. I later used them during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, serving them on the Turkey tray and alongside the Cranberry jello mold. During Christmas and a few times this winter, I treated myself to Gingerbread pancakes as a special breakfast. I blended my canned spiced peaches for better mixing with the spices, and then poured the spiced peaches and their juice mixture (instead of maple syrup) over the gingerbread pancakes. The result was absolutely delicious! Huge thanks to Donna and all your relatives in Georgia for this wonderful recipe. I'm looking forward to enjoying it for years to come here in the Shenandoah Valley!
Nancy Johnson
05/31/2024 03:54:15 PM
I was searching for a unique way to use up my peaches and came across this recipe. It's amazing! I prefer recipes with less sugar, so I only used 1.5 cups, and it turned out absolutely delicious. Thank you!
Timothy Hernandez
04/03/2023 10:53:03 PM
I always make sure to prepare this recipe every year when I have access to fresh orchard peaches - it's my absolute favorite!
Jason Taylor
06/04/2024 01:38:38 AM
I have been using this recipe for a long time. Delicious!
David Brown
03/13/2025 05:53:57 AM
Absolutely fantastic spiced peaches! The real highlight was the delicious remnants at the bottom of the pan after draining off the excess liquid. Those little peach bits transformed into a gorgeous spiced peach jam that was simply irresistible. Scoop it into a small jam jar and display it on the table for a delightful treat – so delicious!
Rachel Turner
04/18/2023 10:03:12 PM
These products are fantastic!
Michelle Nelson
12/11/2022 08:51:03 AM
A few days ago, I took my three kids to the orchard for peach picking and came home with an abundance of peaches. I decided to try my hand at canning for the first time using a recipe I found. I halved the recipe and it turned out wonderfully! The jars look beautiful, and I'm thinking of including some in holiday gift baskets. While I ended up with more cooked peaches than syrup for the jars, it was a happy accident because the peaches are absolutely delicious! Canning turned out to be less daunting than I had anticipated, so I will definitely be making these peaches again!