4 (30 oz.) cans peaches or apricots (drained)
3 to 4 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
2 tbsp. lemon juice

Drain fruit and remove pits. Puree fruits using blender or food strainer. Pour into crock pot. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on High 8 to 10 hours. Remove cover during last half of cooking. Stir occasionally. Makes 4 1/2 pints.

Variation: Fresh peach or apricot butter. Wash, peel, pit and cook fruit until soft. Add sugar when cooked (using 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar to each cup of fruit). Add spices and cook as directed in recipe.

REMEMBER: Long ago a pot of jam or preserves used to simmer on the back of the stove. Now that old-fashioned flavor is easy to create with the crock pot! Occasional stirring is necessary on High but there's no worry of scorching. Cooking method and times will be similar to our Peach Butter recipe. If a thicker preserve is desired, continue cooking overnight on Low with the cover removed. No need to stir on the Low setting. Good for preserves, jam, chutney, or fruit butter.