Homemade Spiced Pear Butter: A Cozy Fall Favorite

As the days get shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing more comforting than the aroma of warm spices filling your kitchen. This Homemade Spiced Pear Butter is a cozy, autumnal delight that captures the sweet, delicate flavor of pears and infuses it with the warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s a simple, hands-off recipe that transforms a few pounds of fruit into a silky-smooth, rich spread.

Unlike its cousin, apple butter, pear butter has a subtle, floral sweetness that makes it uniquely delicious. It’s perfect on toast, stirred into oatmeal, or served with cheese and crackers. It’s a taste of fall in a jar and a perfect way to celebrate the season's bounty.

Homemade Spiced Pear Butter

Yields: 3-4 cups

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 2-3 hours

Ingredients

  • 4 lbs ripe pears (Bosc or Anjou), peeled, cored, and chopped

  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed (or to taste)

  • ¼ cup apple cider or water

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Combine & Cook

  1. Place Ingredients in Pot: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, combine the chopped pears, brown sugar, apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.

  2. Cook Down: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the pears are very soft and have broken down.

2. Blend and Thicken

  1. Blend: Use an immersion blender to blend the pear mixture directly in the pot until it is completely smooth.1 You can also transfer the mixture to a blender and blend in batches.

  2. Thicken: Return the blended mixture to the pot and bring it back to a gentle simmer. Add the fresh lemon juice.

  3. Simmer Uncovered: Continue to simmer the pear butter, uncovered, for another 30-60 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, until it has thickened to your desired consistency. It should be thick and glossy.

3. Cool and Store

  1. Cool: Remove the pear butter from the heat and let it cool completely. It will thicken even more as it cools.

  2. Store: Transfer the pear butter to airtight jars or containers. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze it for up to 6 months.

Pro-Tips for a Perfect Pear Butter

  • The Right Pear: Use ripe pears. They will be naturally sweeter and break down more easily. Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett pears work beautifully.

  • The Low & Slow Method: A long, slow simmer is what develops the rich, deep flavor. Don't try to rush it.

  • The Lemon Juice: The lemon juice is not just for flavor; it helps to brighten the color and acts as a natural preservative.

  • Check for Thickness: To test if the pear butter is thick enough, place a small spoonful on a chilled plate. It should stay put and not run.

  • Make It in a Slow Cooker: For an even more hands-off approach, you can combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the pears are soft. Then, blend and continue cooking, uncovered, on low for another 1-2 hours until thick.