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Description
A simple and delicious recipe for homemade pear butter, perfect for preserving the taste of fall. This rustic spread is slow-cooked to a rich, smooth consistency and is wonderful on toast, biscuits, or as a cheese board accompaniment.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pounds ripe pears (about 10–12 medium), peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine the chopped pears and water in a large pot or Dutch oven.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the pears are very tender.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Transfer the pear mixture to a blender or food processor (or use an immersion blender in the pot) and blend until smooth. You may need to do this in batches.
- Return the pureed pears to the pot. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and lemon juice.
- Cook over low heat, uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 hours, or until the pear butter has thickened considerably and is a deep golden brown. It should be spreadable but not runny.
- To test for doneness, spoon a small amount onto a cold plate; it should not spread out.
- Ladle the hot pear butter into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
- Wipe rims, apply lids and rings, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjusting for altitude if necessary).
- Let jars cool completely on a towel-lined counter. Check seals after 12-24 hours.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, you can press the cooked pears through a food mill before pureeing.
- Adjust spices to your preference.
- Pear butter can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or frozen.
- Ensure your canning jars and lids are properly sterilized before filling.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours
- Category: Preserves
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg