Homemade Pear Butter
Perfectly spiced fresh pears cooked and milled into a smooth spread, this butter captures the essence of late summer. This recipe makes 3 half-pints.
Servings: 40 servings
Equipment
- ½ pint mason jars
- Waterbath canning equipment optional
- Stick blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Bartlett pears (peeled, cored and sliced)
- ¼ cup lemon juice (use bottled if canning
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground mace
- ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Cook all ingredients. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine all the ingredients. Next, boil it on medium-high heat, then turn down the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot with the lid slightly open and let it simmer for around 50 minutes, stirring now and then until the pears are soft and the mix gets thick.
- Blend. Once reduced and thickened, remove the pot from the heat. Then, use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth. (Alternatively, you can transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.)
- Store. Using a spoon or ladle, transfer the pear butter into canning jars or other airtight containers. Put the lids on and let the jars cool to room temperature on the counter. Store in the fridge or freezer, or proceed with water bath canning if desired.
Notes
When choosing pears, go for ripe Bartlett pears as they offer the best flavor and sweetness. They should be soft but not mushy.
As you peel and slice the pears, keep them in a bowl of water with a splash of lemon juice to prevent browning. Slice the pears evenly to cook at the same rate, resulting in a smoother butter.
While simmering, stir the mixture occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
For a different flavor, consider adding a vanilla bean or a teaspoon of orange zest along with the other ingredients. This adds a warmer, wintery taste.
If you don't have all the spices listed, don't worry. You can compensate by adding a little more cinnamon.