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Pear Butter

Pear butter is a silky, spreadable condiment made by cooking down fresh pears with spices and sweetness until they reach a deep caramel color and smooth consistency. It takes patience but almost no skill, making it perfect for anyone who wants to preserve the season without stress.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 24 2-tablespoon servings
Course: Sauces and Condiments
Cuisine: American
Calories: 45
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 5 pounds fresh pears peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Equipment

  • Large stainless steel or ceramic Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
  • Immersion blender or food mill
  • Wooden spoon for stirring
  • Sharp chef's knife and cutting board
  • Measuring spoons and measuring cups
  • Glass jars with lids for storage
  • Fine mesh sieve or strainer (optional)

Method
 

  1. Peel, core, and chop your pears into roughly one-inch pieces.
  2. Add the chopped pears, granulated sugar, and brown sugar to your Dutch oven or large pot.
  3. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, about 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the pears simmer uncovered for 2 to 3 hours, stirring every 15 to 20 minutes. The pear butter is ready when it darkens to a deep caramel color and reaches a spreadable consistency.
  5. Use an immersion blender to puree the cooked pears until completely smooth, or pass them through a food mill.
  6. Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and sea salt. Mix well and let simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes.
  7. Remove the pot from heat and let the pear butter cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
  8. Transfer to clean glass jars while still slightly warm, leaving about half an inch of headspace, then seal and refrigerate.

Notes

Stir your pear butter every 15 to 20 minutes during cooking rather than leaving it untouched to prevent the bottom from burning. Choose ripe but firm pears for best results. Pear butter keeps well in sealed glass jars in the refrigerator for up to three weeks or can be frozen for up to six months.