Preserve the delicate floral sweetness of fresh white peaches with just a hint of vanilla with this easy Vanilla White Peach Jam recipe. This small batch of peach preserves makes four half pint jars of shelf stable no pectin jam (freezer instructions included).
Making stone fruit pastries is just as delicious as preserving but much more fleeting. The season starts with cherries; a perfect pairing with amaretto in Amaretto Cherry Pie and ends with peaches with cream in a Coconut Crumble Custard Peach Pie.
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Vanilla White Peach Jam
Stone fruit season isn’t around for very long. Thankfully, you can make it last just a little longer by preserving these tasty fruits into jams and jellies. I try to make batches of jam: sour cherry, raspberry, strawberry rhubarb, blueberry (or haskap), peach, and Grape Jelly every year. It is just enough jam to get us through until the next summer.
White Peach jam has a gentle, more subtle flavour than jam made from yellow fleshed peaches. It doesn’t smack you in the face with tart acidity either. The flavour is mild and sweet, subtly floral like a white tea which pairs so nicely with a hint of vanilla.
This easy peach jam recipe makes four (250 ml) jars of slightly opaque pink jam dotted with vanilla caviar. It dresses up any breakfast or brunch spread and makes every day toast look super luxurious. This jam tastes delicious on sourdough toast, English muffins, pancakes, waffles, fresh scones or biscuits.
Or, gift the jars to family and friends. Jam is the gift that keeps on giving.
Ingredients for Vanilla Peach Jam
There’s so much flavour in this jam it’s hard to believe there are only four ingredients. When you use in season white peaches, no other ingredients are necessary. However, adding vanilla caviar really takes this jam to the next level.
- White Peaches
- Sugar
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Vanilla Bean Caviar
White peaches have a very short season and are very delicate. If you find them, choose slightly under ripe peaches with smooth taut skin without blemishes. They should have a light pink blush and subtle floral fragrance. You can substitute regular yellow peaches or nectarines in most peach jam recipes.
Use white granulated sugar in this recipe only. Since there is no added pectin, you can adjust the cups of sugar slightly to suit your taste preference. However, be aware that this may affect the time it takes the jam to thicken and set.
Fresh lemon juice keeps the fresh peaches from oxidizing and turning brown. The colour stays a beautiful bright pink colour which is much more appealing.
Vanilla Bean Caviar is the interior scrapings of a fresh vanilla bean. Vanilla extract will not taste or look the same.
White Peaches vs Yellow Peaches
White peaches have a creamy white or rosy/red exterior and soft white flesh when compared to yellow peaches that have a ‘peachy’ exterior and yellow interior (often accented by red depending on the variety).
White peaches tend to be sweet after fully ripening while yellow peaches start out tart, then sweeten more as they ripen. Though you can substitute yellow peaches for the white ones in this jam recipe, this is not necessarily the case in baked goods, salads, or salsa.
White peaches have a softer flesh and a more delicate flavour than yellow peaches. This means they won’t hold up physically during baking or excessive processing. Additionally, their less acidic, delicate sweet flavour may get lost in sweet desserts that call for yellow peaches.
A Bit About Pectin
If you are wondering whether or not you need to add pectin in order for the jam to properly set, the answer is no. However, bear in mind that most fruits and especially stone fruits already contain a significant amount of pectin. It’s enough to make sure you jam sets.
One way to ensure your jam sets is to buy slightly unripe fruit. The more the fruit matures, the less pectin it contains. Additionally, the stones tend to contain a high percentage of the pectin in a stone fruit. Adding them to the simmering fruit will release more pectin into the jam. Just don’t forget to remove them at the end!
How to Make Vanilla White Peach Jam
Prepare the Canning Equipment
Place a ‘tester’ plate in the freezer. Next, wash and inspect five half pint (250 ml) jars for chips or cracks. This jam recipe makes four jars but it also depends on the size of the peaches. I always wash one or two more jars in case there is extra jam.
Wash and inspect the lids and sealing rings to be sure there are no rust or dents on the lids. Put the lids and lid rings into a large saucepan and fill with water. Set the saucepan on the stove and heat until they are just about to boil (do not boil).
Set the clean jars aside if you intend to freeze the jam. To sterilize the jars for shelf stability set the jars upside down in a large cake pan add an inch or two of water.
Place the cake pan (with jars and water) in a 250 F oven for ten minutes and keep warm until you are ready to fill them.
Prepare the Peaches
To peel the peaches, fill a large pot or Dutch oven with water and bring it to a boil. Cut a small X on the end of the peach opposite the stem, then submerge it into the boiling water for 40-60 seconds.
Remove the peach and immediately place it in a bowl of ice water. Repeat process with the rest of the peaches. Peel the peaches and discard peels, then slice the peaches in half to remove the pits. Slice each peach half into 6 slices, then dice the slices. Discard the boiling water and reuse the Dutch oven for the remaining steps.
Place the diced peaches into the Dutch oven and add the sugar. Stir in the lemon juice and allow the peaches to sit and macerate for an hour or so.
Next, remove the vanilla bean caviar. To remove it, slice the entire pod lengthwise then use the back of your knife to scrape out the seeds. Repeat with both halves. Add the vanilla bean seeds to the macerated peaches.
Cooking the Peach Jam
Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn them down to a gentle simmer. Cook the jam for 40-60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
At 40 minutes cook time, test the jam by placing a spoonful on the frozen test plate. If it sets, then the jam will set in the jars. If not, keep reducing and stirring frequently. Return the plate to the freezer.
Test every 5 minutes until the jam sets on the plate.
Preserving the Jam
For Shelf Stability – Carefully remove one jar from the oven. Fill the hot jar to within 1 cm of the top, taking care not to get any jelly on the rim (a funnel is useful here). Wipe the rim with a clean cloth, and cover the jar with a lid. Make sure rings are snug but not too tight. Repeat with remaining jars/jam.
Allow jars to cool overnight. Listen for the ‘pop’ as the cool down and self seal. The next day check the seals and refrigerate any that have not sealed.
For the Freezer – Divide the jam equally between the jars and wipe up any drips on the jars. Put he lid on and screw on the sealing ring until it is ‘just tight’. Place jars in freezer.
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Vanilla White Peach Jam
Preserve the delicate floral sweetness of fresh white peaches with just a hint of vanilla with this easy Vanilla White Peach Jam recipe. This small batch recipe makes four half pint jars of shelf stable no pectin jam (freezer instructions included).
Ingredients
- 8 medium white peaches (almost ripe)
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean
Instructions
TO BEGIN
- Place a 'tester' plate in the freezer.
- Wash and inspect five half pint (250 ml) jars for chips or cracks. This jam recipe makes four jars but it depends on the size of the peaches. I always wash one more in case there is extra jam. Wash and inspect the lids and sealing rings.
- Set jars aside if you are freezing the jam. To sterilize the jars for shelf stability refer to the written post above.
PREPARE THE PEACHES
- Fill a large pot or Dutch oven with water and bring it to a boil.
- Cut a small X on the end of the peach opposite the stem, then submerge it into the boiling water for 40-60 seconds.
- Remove the peach and immediately place it in a bowl of ice water. Repeat process with the rest of the peaches.
- Peel the peaches, then slice them in half and remove the pits. Slice each peach half into 6 slices, then dice the slices.
- Place diced peaches into a large bowl and add the sugar. Stir in the lemon juice and allow the peaches to sit and macerate for an hour or so.
- Add the softened peaches to a large Dutch oven or pot with a heavy bottom.
- Remove the vanilla bean caviar from the pod by slicing the entire pod lengthwise then use the back of your knife to scrape out the seeds. Repeat with both halves.
- Add the vanilla bean seeds to the macerated peaches.
COOKING THE JAM
- Bring the peaches to a rolling boil, then turn them down to a gentle simmer. Stir the jam occasionally for the next 40-60 minutes.
- At 40 minutes test the jam by placing a spoonful on the frozen test plate. If it sets, then the jam will set in the jars. If not, keep reducing and stirring more vigorously. Return the plate to the freezer.
- Test every 5 minutes until the jam sets on the plate.
PRESERVING THE JAM
TO PRESERVE FOR SHELF STABILITY
- Carefully remove one jar from the oven. Fill the jar to within 1 cm of the top, taking care not to get any jelly on the rim (a funnel is useful here).
- Wipe the rim with a clean cloth, and cover the jar with a lid. Make sure rings are snug but not too tight. Repeat with remaining jars/jam.
- Allow jars to cool overnight. Listen for the 'pop' as the cool down and self seal. The next day check the seals and refrigerate any that have not sealed.
TO FREEZE THE JAM Divide the jam equally between the jars and wipe up any drips on the jars. Put he lid on and screw on the sealing ring until it is 'just tight'. Place jars in freezer.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
32Serving Size:
1/8 jarAmount Per Serving: Calories: 63Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 0g
Nutritional calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is an estimation only. For special diets or medical issues please use your preferred calculator.
Is there a way to substitute citric acid for the lemon juice?
Hello Emmaleigh, thank you for your question! I have not tested this recipe with citric acid so I cannot guarantee it will work.
Been canning for two years. Love this white peach recipe. I don’t have to do a water bath to seal the jars??? Please reply ASAP. Thank you, Annie.
No, you can freeze the jam if you don’t want to water bath them.
I sent you an email but in case you don’t see it I am posting my question here. I made the white peach jam and I also processed my jars in a water bath canning but I have just read that white peaches are not safe for canning or making jam because they are of a low acid I did add the juice of one squeezed lemon but in volume that wasn’t much. I am now afraid I may have to throw away all my jam What are your thoughts?
hi Mable, your jam is fine as long as you followed safe canning instructions. This is why I have the additional lemon juice in the recipe.
I got peaches for canning & preserves from a local organic farmer… but when I got home I realized they were white peaches! Everything says not to can white peaches! I was heartbroken that I bought 20 lbs of peaches I couldn’t preserve!!! Thank you for this recipe. I thought I’d have to dehydrate or freeze them.
Yes, they are not as acidic as yellow peaches are. Just be sure to add the lemon juice as stated in the recipe.
Any chance I could use some other sweetener besides sugar?? Coconut sugar or erythritol or something?? Can’t wait to try this!
I have not tested this recipe with alternative sweeteners. Sorry Maggie.
I had no idea that you didn’t need pectin for stone fruit jams and jellies! Thanks for this recipe – I can’t wait to make it now!
Yes! You could even save all your peach pits for making jam.
I love that you don’t use pectin. Your also so right about the stone fruit season
Love this jam and could see it on one of my crostata!
Thanks for sharing such a lovely simple preserve!😋👍👌❤️
canning been something i want to get into but still pretty hesitant. Your instructions are really clear and simple. Hopefully mine turns out well …
Good luck Nancy, you’ve got this!
I am such a fan of homemade preserves. This peach one was delicious on my morning toast.
Me too. It’s such a treat!
A beautiful recipe for all these lovely summer peaches on hand. Nothing compares to homemade jams and preserves. I love the vanilla in this…gorgeous photos too! Thank you for this in-depth guide!
You are so welcome Tammy. I hope you give it a try.
I love peaches but haven’t ever tried making jam before this sounds so wonderful with the vanilla. So excited that peach season has arrived to give this a try.
I seriously can’t pick which fruit season is my favourite. I just love them all as summer progresses.
I have never tried to make a peach jam, but this one is so easy and delicious!
It is SUPER easy. You’ve got this Amy!
I love adding vanilla to my peach desserts, since I find it adds a nice sweetness if the peaches aren’t perfectly ripe. This beautiful blush coloured jam sounds like heaven.
They are a great flavour duo. It really is a tasty jam.
I LOVE this Bernice! Peach preserves in general are always so nice, but I’m thrilled that you used vanilla to really make this jam pop. I made a vanilla/peach ice cream a few years back and I got hooked on the combination. This is a wonderful summery treat, and delightful to have in the pantry whenever you get a hankering. Cheers.
oooh yum! That ice cream sounds divine about now!
It’s been ages since I made jam. Thanks for the inspiration with this lovely recipe.
It’s a worthwhile hobby. I hope you give it a try again Jenny.
I made this and it was awesome. It turned out perfect and was really delicious. Cheers
Excellent to hear. I hope you get a chance to make more jam this summer.
We have an abundance of peaches growing here in the Okanagan. For some reason, though, I’ve always passed over the white peaches for the standard yellow ones. Now I know I must get some and add this jam to my canning roster. I love the vanilla addition!
They really are quite unique Colleen. I know you have a lot to choose from but they’re worth a try.
I love the addition of vanilla in this peach jam recipe. I tend to add a splash of vanilla when making fruit sauces, but hadn’t done it for jam before – LOVE it!
Sometimes it’s nice to be a bit ‘extra’. Enjoy the jam Lauren.
Love peach jam! Haven’t made some
Homemade jam in awhile but can’t wait to break out my canning equipment for this vanilla version!
Nice! Happy Jamming Heather!
Love the little specks of vanilla! I’ve been looking for a good jam without pectin and this one came at the perfect time – just got a ton of peaches from our neighbor. Can’t wait to make it!
The trick to ‘no’ pectin jam is to use a frozen plate to gauge when it is ready. Happy jamming Veronika!
Homemade jam is the best. I love peach season. Reminds me of when I was a child and my aunt had a fruit orchard. We would alwasy go peach picking.
That sounds amazing! I do remember picking berries with my Grandma but never Peaches!