Velvety 4-Ingredient Pear Butter Recipe You’ll Crave

There’s something magical about transforming fresh fruit into homemade spreads, and my pear butter recipe is hands-down my favorite kitchen experiment gone right. I still remember my first batch – I’d gotten carried away at the farmers market (as usual) and found myself with a mountain of ripe pears begging to be used. This simple pear butter recipe became my salvation, turning those sweet pears into the most luscious spread you can imagine. What I love most is how versatile it is – slathered on warm biscuits, swirled into yogurt, or even used as a cake filling. Trust me, once you try homemade pear butter, you’ll never look at store-bought fruit spreads the same way again.

Why You’ll Love This Pear Butter Recipe

This pear butter recipe has been my go-to for years, and here’s why it’ll become yours too:

• So simple – Just toss everything in one pot and let the magic happen while you do other things (or sneak spoonfuls)
• Endlessly versatile – Perfect on toast, mixed into oatmeal, or as a surprise ingredient in thumbprint cookies
• Naturally sweet – The pears do most of the work, meaning you can go easy on the sugar
• Makes the best gifts – Jarred up with a ribbon, it’s the homemade present everyone actually wants to receive

Seriously, this recipe turns basic pears into something extraordinary with minimal effort – what’s not to love?

Ingredients for Pear Butter Recipe

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this heavenly pear butter – trust me, you probably have most of these in your pantry already:

• 4 lbs ripe pears – peeled, cored, and chopped (I like using Bartlett or Anjou for their natural sweetness)
• 1 cup granulated sugar – just enough to enhance the pears’ natural sweetness without overwhelming it
• 1 tbsp lemon juice – that bright acidity keeps everything balanced
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon – the warm hug your pears need
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg – just a whisper for depth
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves – don’t skip this – it makes all the difference
• 1/4 tsp salt – because even sweet things need seasoning

That’s it! Simple ingredients that transform into something magical.

Equipment Needed for Pear Butter Recipe

You won’t need fancy gadgets for this pear butter – just a few basic kitchen essentials:

• Large, heavy-bottomed pot – prevents scorching during those long simmering sessions
• Immersion blender – my favorite tool for quick, easy pureeing right in the pot (though a regular blender works too)
• Clean jars or containers – for storing your golden pear goodness
• Wooden spoon – perfect for frequent stirring without scratching your pot

See? Nothing complicated – just simple tools for making something spectacular!

How to Make Pear Butter Recipe

Alright, let’s get to the fun part – turning those beautiful pears into silky smooth butter! Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think, and I’ll walk you through every step.

Preparing the Pears

First things first – give those pears some love! I like to peel them (a vegetable peeler makes quick work of this), then quarter and core them before chopping into roughly 1-inch chunks. Don’t stress about perfect pieces – they’re going to break down anyway. Toss them into your pot with all the other ingredients – sugar, lemon juice, spices, and salt. Give it a good stir, then let it bubble away over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll know it’s ready when the pears are completely tender and almost falling apart.

Cooking and Pureeing

Now for the magic! Grab your immersion blender and carefully puree the mixture right in the pot. If you’re using a regular blender, work in batches and be careful with the hot liquid. Blend until it’s perfectly smooth – no chunks allowed! This is when the pear butter really starts to look and smell irresistible. At this point, reduce the heat to low – we’re entering the slow-and-steady phase.

Final Simmering Stage

Here’s where patience pays off. Let the pear butter simmer gently, stirring frequently (I set a timer for every 10 minutes so I don’t forget). After about an hour, it should be thick enough that when you drag a spoon across the bottom of the pot, the trail holds for a couple seconds before filling in. That’s your cue it’s done! Remember, it will thicken more as it cools, so don’t overdo it. The color should be a deep golden amber, and the aroma… oh my, just wait until you smell it!

Tips for Perfect Pear Butter Recipe

After making countless batches of this pear butter, I’ve learned a few tricks that’ll guarantee success every time:

• Stir like you mean it – That wooden spoon should be your best friend during the final simmer. Frequent stirring prevents sticking and ensures even thickening.
• Spice it your way – Start with my measurements, then adjust to taste. More cinnamon? Go for it! Want to try cardamom instead of cloves? Be adventurous!
• The plate test never lies – Dab a bit on a chilled plate – if no liquid seeps out after a minute, it’s perfectly thick.
• Don’t rush it – Low and slow cooking develops the deepest flavor. Your patience will be rewarded!

Remember – great pear butter comes from paying attention, not perfection!

Storing and Using Your Pear Butter Recipe

Once your pear butter cools, transfer it to clean jars – it’ll keep happily in the fridge for about 2 weeks (though ours never lasts that long!). For longer storage, freeze it in small containers; I’ve kept batches for up to 3 months with perfect results. Beyond toast and biscuits, try swirling it into oatmeal, dolloping on pancakes, or using it as a filling for thumbprint cookies – the possibilities are endless!

Pear Butter Recipe Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic pear butter recipe, try these delicious twists:

• Vanilla pear butter – Add a split vanilla bean or 1 tsp extract during cooking for floral sweetness
• Ginger spice blend – Swap cloves for 1/2 tsp ground ginger and a pinch of black pepper for warmth
• Honey version – Replace half the sugar with honey for deeper, caramel-like notes

The beauty is in the experimenting – make it your own!

Pear Butter Recipe FAQ

I get asked about my pear butter recipe all the time, so here are the answers to the most common questions:

Can I use unripe pears?
Oh honey, don’t even try it! Unripe pears won’t have that natural sweetness we’re after. Stick with ripe, juicy ones – they’ll break down better and give you that perfect pear butter texture. If your pears are still firm, just let them sit on the counter for a couple days to soften up.

How long does pear butter last?
In the fridge, your pear butter will stay happy for about 2 weeks in airtight containers. For longer storage, freezing works beautifully – I portion mine into small jars or freezer bags and it keeps for 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to use it.

Can I reduce the sugar?
Absolutely! The sugar amount is flexible depending on how sweet your pears are. Start with half the amount and taste as you go – you can always add more. Just remember sugar helps with preservation too, so if you’re planning to keep it awhile, don’t cut it too drastically.

Is water bath canning safe for this recipe?
While I’m all for preserving, this recipe wasn’t developed specifically for canning safety. If you want to can it properly, you’d need to adjust the acidity and process times. Personally? I stick with fridge or freezer storage to be safe – it’s just easier!

Nutritional Information for Pear Butter Recipe

Now let’s talk nutrition – but keep in mind these are just estimates since your exact values will depend on your pears’ sweetness and any tweaks you make to the recipe. Per tablespoon, my pear butter clocks in at about 40 calories with 9g sugar (all natural from those beautiful pears!), zero fat, and a nice little 1g fiber boost. Not bad for something that tastes this indulgent!

Print