How to Make Pear Butter: A Simple and Delicious Recipe

When you have leftover fruit that's starting to get soft, making fruit butter is a fantastic way to use it up. Today, we're making pear butter, a delicious and versatile spread that's easy to prepare. This recipe yields a rich, flavorful butter that's perfect for toast, biscuits, pancakes, and even baking. Let's dive into the process of making pear butter, including canning tips to preserve it for later.

Ingredients
Pears: 4 pounds (peeled, cored, and chopped)
Water: 1/2 cup
Lemon juice: 1 teaspoon (preferably fresh, but bottled works too)
Apple juice: 1/4 cup (orange juice can be substituted)
Sugar: 1 cup
Brown sugar: 1/4 cup
Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
Equipment
Hand blender or potato masher
Canning jars: Jelly jars, pint-sized
Water bath canner
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preparing the Pears
Peeling and Coring: Start with about 4 pounds of pears. Peel, core, and chop them into small pieces.
Prevent Browning: Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the pears to prevent browning.
2. Cooking the Pears
Initial Cooking: Place the chopped pears in a large pot with 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the pears are soft.
3. Blending the Pears
Blending: Use a hand blender to puree the cooked pears until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can use a potato masher.
Safety Tip: If using a regular blender, blend in small batches to avoid hot splatters.

4. Adding Flavor and Sweetness
Adding Ingredients: Return the pureed pears to the pot. Add 1/4 cup of apple juice, 1 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir well.
Simmering: Let the mixture simmer on low heat until it thickens. This should take about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Testing for Thickness
Spoon Test: To test if the pear butter is ready, dip a spoon into the mixture. If it doesn't run back together when you draw a line through it, it's ready.
6. Canning the Pear Butter
Sterilizing Jars: Sterilize your canning jars by boiling them in water.
Filling Jars: Ladle the pear butter into the jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims with a damp paper towel to ensure a clean seal.
Sealing Jars: Place lids and rings on the jars and tighten.
7. Processing the Jars
Boiling Water Bath: Process the filled jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

Cooling: After processing, let the jars cool undisturbed overnight. Check the seals the next day by pressing down on the center of each lid; if it doesn't pop back, the jar is sealed correctly.

Usage Suggestions
On Toast and Biscuits: Spread pear butter on toast, biscuits, or pancakes for a sweet and fruity treat.

Baking: Use pear butter in muffin or cake batter for added moisture and flavor.
Ice Cream Topping: Serve pear butter warm over vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.

Conclusion
Making pear butter is a straightforward process that transforms leftover fruit into a versatile and delicious spread. Whether you enjoy it on your morning toast or as a topping for ice cream, this pear butter recipe is sure to become a favorite. Don't forget to share this recipe with your friends and family, and consider canning extra jars to give as gifts.

happy canning!