The Best Pear Butter Recipe You'll Ever Make! (2024)

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The Best Pear Butter Recipe You’ll Ever Make

The best pear butter recipe you’ll ever make?!

Yep – I’m standing by that bold statement!

The Best Pear Butter Recipe You'll Ever Make! (1)

Since, I’d never made a pear butter before this one, this pear butter recipe is the best I’ve ever made!

I’m gonna bet it will be for you, too.

I’m always on the hunt for delicious and nutritious fun foods (have you tried OMT’s Strawberry Smoothie yet?).

Pear Butter

Pear butter, or pear spread recipes, are very similar to apple butter recipes.

Apple Butter is one of Sweet E’s all-time favs.

He eats it with peanut butter in a sandwich, as a dip for pancakes or right off of the spoon as, well, apple saucy buttah!

If you’ve never made it: Go – Make!

PRO TIP: You can freeze apple butter! Pour what you need into a mason jar (< that’s what those jars are for!) and pop into the fridge, then pour the remaining into more mason jars, leaving about an inch from the top for expansion, then freeze for later use!

This year, as the pears came into season, I thought I’d shake things up a bit and attempt to make pear butter.

Use Your Crock Pot Or Slow Cooker To Make Pear Butter

What makes this pear butter recipe even better is you use a Crock Pot or slow cooker.

Don’t have a slow cooker or Crock Pot? You could definitely use an Instant Pot, too.

Either way, this recipe is so stinkin’ easy!

And, um…delicious!

Oh, momma.

It. Is. AH-MAZING.

The Best Pear Butter Recipe You'll Ever Make! (2)

Look at it!

All yummy and waiting patiently to be spread on thangs or eaten right off the spoon!

So simple to make and soon to be a favorite gift to be given (holidays, birthdays, your-hair-looks-perfect days).

Real Talk: When I was taking these shots and rearranging the jar and spoon, I had to stop several times to grab a new spoon, because each time I rearranged, I ate the contents of said spoon.

Irresistible!

The Best Pear Butter Recipe You'll Ever Make! (3)

Crock Pot Pear Butter

The crock pot pear butter recipe is so incredibly easy, you’ll feel like I’m holding something back.

I assure you, I’m not.

Note: there is a printable version of the recipe at the end of the post.

OMT!’S PEAR BUTTER RECIPE

Ingredients:

  • 10 ripe pears, quartered and cut into large pieces, skin on
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 tsp all spice
  • 1/4 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
  • 1-2 tsp of homemade vanilla (to your liking)
  • 1 tbsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Directions:

  1. Place pears, sugar, all spice and nutmeg into slow cooker and mix.
  2. Turn on high and cook for 4 -5 hours, until pear pieces are very soft.
  3. Once cooked, cool enough to mix with immersion blender, or pour into regular blender.
  4. Blend to desired texture.
  5. Add vanilla and lemon juice.
  6. Mix thoroughly.
  7. Pour into jars to store in fridge or freezer.

Notes On Pear Butter:

Cool pear butter before adding to glass jars.

Leave expansion room at top of jar when freezing.

Make sure to use glass jars that are intended for canning.

The Best Pear Butter Recipe You'll Ever Make! (4)

Is Pear Butter Vegan?

For my vegan friends, this easy pear butter recipe is a delight for you, too!

You can easily add it to your rotation of fruit spreads.

Pear Butter Uses:

  1. Spread on your favorite bread.
  2. A dip for crackers or crudites.
  3. Pour over softened cream cheese for a holiday or party table. Elegant and delicious.
  4. Topping for waffles or pancakes.
  5. Dipping side for pork – trust me!
  6. Eat straight from the jar! I won’t tell your mother!

I’ll be spreading it a’top a circle of brie for the holidays.

I’ll be offering it to Sweet E for his approval.

I’ll continue to eat it right out of the jar and go through as many spoons as necessary to satisfy my pear-loving sweet tooth.

How Long Does Pear Butter Last?

Once refrigerated, pear butter will last a solid 7-10 days.

I can’t imagine that it would last that long though – SO GOOOOD!

Can You Freeze Pear Butter?

Absolutely! Just like apple butter, pear butter freezes beautifully.

When I make a batch, I put some in canning jars, leaving at least a half an inch (you can do an inch) from top, and cover with a lid and freeze.

The butter will last months in the freezer, which means you can make it months before an event – a party or a holiday gathering – and simply thaw before using.

How To Thaw Frozen Pear Butter:

I simply place a frozen jar on a small plate and stick in the fridge for about 24 hours to thaw.

Easy peasy.

The Best Pear Butter Recipe You'll Ever Make! (5)

Pear Recipes

There are so many recipes for pear butter. We have the delicious pear butter that tastes like a butter pear (yum!), but what if you want something a bit different?

What if you’d like a more spiced pear butter?

Again – so easy.

You can add a bit of ground ginger powder to the pear butter recipe to give it some added zing.

Easy (adaptable) Recipe For Pear Butter

While I use brown sugar to sweeten, you can use pretty much any sweetener you love.

If can even omit the sweetener, but know the last and texture will be altered.

Sweeteners For Pear Butter

What other sweetener can you use for pear butter?

  • Brown sugar adds a bit of depth. To go deeper, use dark brown sugar, as it has a molasses undertone.
  • Coconut sugar
  • Refined sugar
  • Monk sweetener can be helpful for those watching carb intake.

It’s dealer choice! Experiment to see what you love the most.

Pear Butter Gifts

Jars of Pear Butter are wonderful homemade gifts for teachers.

Teachers, workmates, neighbors, besties…pear butter is a wonderful gift – and so easy to make! – for anyone you can think of.

When my FIL ate his gifted pear butter, he called to say it was delicious and then we reminisced about the pear tree that used to grow in our backyard.

He said it tasted like an old fashioned pear butter recipe his mom made.

Best seal of approval, evah!

Printable recipe for Pear Butter below.

The Best Pear Butter Recipe You'll Ever Make! (6)

Yield: 4-6 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours

Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes

The best pear butter recipe you'll ever make!

Ingredients

  • 10 ripe pears, quartered and cut into large pieces, skin on
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 tsp all spice
  • 1/4 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
  • 1-2 tsp of homemade vanilla (to your liking)
  • 1 tbsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

Place pears, sugar, all spice and nutmeg into slow cooker and mix.

Turn on high and cook for 4 -5 hours, until pear pieces are very soft.

Once cooked, cool enough to mix with immersion blender, or pour into regular blender.

Blend to desired texture.

Add vanilla and lemon juice.

Mix thoroughly.

Pour into jars to store in fridge or freezer.

Notes

Cool pear butter before adding to glass jars.

Leave expansion room at top of jar when freezing.

Make sure to use glass jars that are intended for canning.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 64Serving Size: 4 tbsp
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 32Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 0g

~Original Post: October 8, 2018 – Updated Post: August 9, 2023~

~ A gentle reminder: OMT! uses Amazon referral links at no cost to you.~

Tired of searching for a popular OMT! recipe?

Rest yer weary fingers.

Except to click on the image.

You still have enough strength for that.

COME ON!

YOU CAN DO IT!

Best Pear Butter I’ve Ever Made

Yep, still is the best I’ve ever made to date.

What will you do with it?

How will you enjoy it?

Happy pear buttering, y’all!

If You Liked This Pear Butter Recipe, You May Like These:

Slow Cooker Apple Butter Will Make You a Fanatic

Apple Butter was our first love, then came pear butter. This is Sweet E’s favorite topping on toast and his “Choochie” waffles (linked below).

The Best Pear Butter Recipe You'll Ever Make! (13)

Portuguese Sweet Bread (Pao Doce)

Simple cut fresh or toasted, this sweet bread is brought to new heights with a schmear of pear butter!

The Best Pear Butter Recipe You'll Ever Make! (14)

Joy Bella The Waffle Recipe Maker

Who doesn’t love fruit toppings on a Belgium waffle? The best pear butter is sooo good in the nooks and crannies of a waffle (as is the above Apple Butter). Trust!

The Best Pear Butter Recipe You'll Ever Make! (15)

Thank you for reading and drooling (ain’t no shame, y’all!) over the Best Pear Butter Recipe and all others linked!

Get to makin’!

The Best Pear Butter Recipe You'll Ever Make! (2024)

FAQs

How do you thicken pear butter? ›

*If your pear butter is too thin, feel free to run the mixture through a strainer to remove extra liquid. Alternately, let the mixture simmer on the stove longer to reduce more.

Why is my pear butter runny? ›

If your pear butter isn't thick enough after the cooking time, prop the lid open and cook for an additional hour or until desired consistency is reached. Ladle in to mason jars.

Does pear butter go bad? ›

Introduction: Pear Butter (and How to Can It!)

Contrary to the name, we aren't actually making "butter", per se; there are no dairy products in this recipe. Prepared this way, the jars should have a shelf life of about 18 months to 2 years...and possibly even longer depending upon the conditions.

Which pear makes the best preserves? ›

Let's Preserve: Pears
  • Recommended Varieties. Bartlett, Bosc, Anjou, and Comice are best. ...
  • Quantity. A bushel weighs 50 pounds and yields 16 to 25 quarts. ...
  • Quality. Pears are harvested before they are ready to eat. ...
  • Preparation. Start with clean countertops and utensils. ...
  • Freezing Procedure. ...
  • Canning Procedure.
Jun 26, 2023

How do you intensify pear flavor? ›

Adding Spice to Complement the Pears

Cardamom contains essential oils similar to those found in herbs like mint and fruits like lemon, a combination that adds a sense of freshness to the pears, which can often seem dull after baking.

Does fruit butter thicken as it cools? ›

Strain your puree, if necessary, to remove seeds, bits of peel, or any lumps. Put the smooth puree back into a clean pan, add lemon juice, and continue to cook, stirring often, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Cool and then refrigerate. It will thicken further as it chills.

How do you make butter runny? ›

Make a Hot Water Bath

Pour hot water into a ceramic or glass cup or bowl (something that can fit over your butter). After a few minutes, dump the water out of the vessel and quickly cover your butter. The heat from the cup will soften your butter in just a few minutes.

What if my homemade butter is too runny? ›

If the butter is too soft, put in the fridge to harden a bit before continuing. You can add salt to your butter as your taste prefers during the final kneading. You will notice more liquid coming off if you do.

How do you thicken fruit butter? ›

Fruit butters generally don't use pectin, which is usually what is added to jams and jellies to make them thicken. Make a slurry with about 1 to 2 TPS of arrowroot or tapioca flour, in a 1/2 cup of your apple sauce. Add to the sauce and cook until thickened.

Can you eat 2 year expired butter? ›

Can you use expired butter? Here's the good news: If you notice that your butter's expiration date has passed but you don't have time to run down to the store for a new tub, you can still eat it with relative safety as long as you inspect it first.

Can I freeze raw pears? ›

If planning to use pears uncooked, freeze using juice or water method. Freezing pears using dry packing or in sugar is the best method for pies or other cooked dishes. If planning to use pears in a sweetened jam, jelly, fruit butter, or sauce, try freezing using the juice or water method, but choose unsweetened juice.

What can I do with pear scraps? ›

Pear Jelly - An easy no waste pear scrap jelly recipe

This simple recipe and makes use of pear scraps or peelings to create a delicious pear jelly spread. Follow our step by step instructions to can your own!

What is the best tasting pear in the world? ›

Comice pears are perhaps the best pears for eating raw. They have a great fruity aroma and flavor, as well as a slightly finer, less grainy texture than other pear varieties. They are almost a cross between a Bosc pear and an Asian pear. Comice pears are slightly more rounded and apple-shaped than other pears.

What pear has the most flavor? ›

Bartlett pears (also called Williams) have what most people would consider the true “pear flavor.” Both red and green Bartletts are bell-shaped. You can find them in stores from September through the early months of winter. Since pears are harvested unripe, allow them to ripen at room temperature.

What is the best tasting pear? ›

Bartlett (or Williams) Pear: This is the perfect choice when you want a really, really juicy pear. Both red and green Bartletts are also among the sweetest pears you'll find. Bosc Pear: These pears are wonderfully crisp, with a delicate sweet flavor that resembles the stereotypical pear taste perfectly.

How do I get my apple butter to thicken up? ›

The longer you cook it, the thicker it will be. Apple butter is high in natural sugar so if you want don't want to add sugar, then use sweet apples. The thing about sugar is that helps thicken your apple butter. I used about 5 tablespoons of coconut sugar so my apple butter was satisfyingly sweet.

How do you thicken fruit spread? ›

Simply peel and core the apples, chop them into small pieces, and add them to the fruit mixture. Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges contain pectin, and the zest and juice can be added to the fruit mixture to help it set. Chia seeds: Chia seeds can be used as a natural thickener for jams and jellies.

What do you do if apple butter doesn't thicken? ›

Turn off the heat, remove the lid, and let apples cool for at least 15 minutes. Blend apple mixture with an immersion blender until smooth. If you want to thicken your apple butter, return it to the stove over low heat and let it cook down until it's reached your desired consistency.

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