This easy Pear Butter is a sweet and flavorful spread perfect for breakfast or snacks. Made with fresh pears, a hint of orange zest, and warm spices, it’s a simple recipe that uses common ingredients. Enjoy it on toast, pancakes, or biscuits, and savor its rich, homemade taste in every bite!
Ingredients Needed
- 4 pounds medium pears, quartered and cored
- ½ cup water (or as needed)
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup orange juice
How To Make Pear Butter
- Prepare the Ingredients: Gather all the ingredients and have them ready for the cooking process.
- Cook the Pears: Place the quartered pears into a large pot over medium heat. Add about ½ cup of water, just enough to cover the bottom of the pot. Cook the pears for about 30 minutes, or until they become soft.
- Mash the Pears: Once the pears are soft, press them through a sieve or food mill. Measure out 2 quarts of the pear pulp for the next steps.
- Mix the Pear Butter: In a large saucepan, combine the pear pulp and sugar. Stir the mixture to dissolve the sugar. Add the grated orange zest, ground nutmeg, and orange juice. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently. Let it cook for about 1 hour, or until it thickens enough to mound on a spoon.
- Can the Pear Butter: Once thickened, ladle the pear butter into hot, sterile jars, leaving ¼ inch of headspace. Remove any air bubbles by running a metal spatula around the edges of the jars. Wipe the rims clean before sealing with lids and rings.
- Process the Jars: Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Ensure the water covers the jars by 1 inch. Check local guidelines for specific processing times based on your area.
- Enjoy: Allow the jars to cool. Your homemade pear butter is now ready to enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Use Ripe Pears: Make sure the pears are ripe for the best flavor and texture. Overripe pears will make the pear butter too watery, while underripe pears may be too firm and less flavorful.
- Stir Often as It Cooks: Pear butter can burn easily, so make sure to stir it frequently as it thickens to avoid any scorching on the bottom.
- Test the Thickness: To check if the pear butter is ready, place a spoonful on a cold plate. If it thickens up and holds its shape, it’s done. If it spreads out too much, cook it a little longer.
- Use Fresh Orange Juice and Zest: Fresh orange juice and zest provide the best flavor. Avoid using store-bought orange juice, as it can be too sweet and lack the fresh, zesty taste.
- Sterilize Your Jars Properly: Ensure the jars you use for canning are fully sterilized. This helps prevent contamination and ensures the pear butter stays fresh longer.
How To Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftover pear butter in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
- Freeze: Place leftover pear butter in an airtight container suitable for freezing. Freeze for up to 6 months. To thaw, move it to the fridge overnight.
Nutrition Fact
Serving Size: 1 tablespoon (18g)
- Calories: 35
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 10mg
- Potassium: 30mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 8g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 0g
More Recipes:
Pear Butter
Description
This easy Pear Butter is a sweet and flavorful spread perfect for breakfast or snacks. Made with fresh pears, a hint of orange zest, and warm spices, it’s a simple recipe that uses common ingredients. Enjoy it on toast, pancakes, or biscuits, and savor its rich, homemade taste in every bite!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Gather all the ingredients and have them ready for the cooking process.
- Cook the Pears: Place the quartered pears into a large pot over medium heat. Add about ½ cup of water, just enough to cover the bottom of the pot. Cook the pears for about 30 minutes, or until they become soft.
- Mash the Pears: Once the pears are soft, press them through a sieve or food mill. Measure out 2 quarts of the pear pulp for the next steps.
- Mix the Pear Butter: In a large saucepan, combine the pear pulp and sugar. Stir the mixture to dissolve the sugar. Add the grated orange zest, ground nutmeg, and orange juice. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently. Let it cook for about 1 hour, or until it thickens enough to mound on a spoon.
- Can the Pear Butter: Once thickened, ladle the pear butter into hot, sterile jars, leaving ¼ inch of headspace. Remove any air bubbles by running a metal spatula around the edges of the jars. Wipe the rims clean before sealing with lids and rings.
- Process the Jars: Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Ensure the water covers the jars by 1 inch. Check local guidelines for specific processing times based on your area.
- Enjoy: Allow the jars to cool. Your homemade pear butter is now ready to enjoy!
Notes
- Use Ripe Pears: Make sure the pears are ripe for the best flavor and texture. Overripe pears will make the pear butter too watery, while underripe pears may be too firm and less flavorful.
- Stir Often as It Cooks: Pear butter can burn easily, so make sure to stir it frequently as it thickens to avoid any scorching on the bottom.
- Test the Thickness: To check if the pear butter is ready, place a spoonful on a cold plate. If it thickens up and holds its shape, it’s done. If it spreads out too much, cook it a little longer.
- Use Fresh Orange Juice and Zest: Fresh orange juice and zest provide the best flavor. Avoid using store-bought orange juice, as it can be too sweet and lack the fresh, zesty taste.
- Sterilize Your Jars Properly: Ensure the jars you use for canning are fully sterilized. This helps prevent contamination and ensures the pear butter stays fresh longer.
Pear Butter
