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

Jump to Recipe

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!

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.

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!

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:

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 On Pear Butter:

Cool pear butter before adding to glass jars.

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:

Spread on your favorite bread.
A dip for crackers or crudites.
Pour over softened cream cheese for a holiday or party table. Elegant and delicious.
Topping for waffles or pancakes.
Dipping side for pork – trust me!
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.

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.

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.

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).

Portuguese Sweet Bread (Pao Doce)

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

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!

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

Why is my pear butter not thickening? ›

If your pears are very juicy, you'll need to cook them longer so they reduce to the proper consistency for butter. If your pears are less ripe, they will contain more natural pectin that will gel and thicken the pear butter more quickly.

How do you intensify pear flavor? ›

In a 3-quart saucepan combine wine, orange juice, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved. Add pear halves; cover and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until pears are barely tender. Uncover; cook about 20 minutes more or until pears are translucent.

Which pear makes the best preserves? ›

Many varieties of pears are grown in Oregon. Bartlett, Bosc and Seckel are good varieties to preserve, however Anjou, Comice, Nelis and Forelle may also be preserved, depending on the end product.

Discover More Details ›

Why is it called pear butter? ›

Pear butter is a fruit spread or thick sauce; it has no butter in it, and I don't know where the name came from. But just like citrus fruits turn into marmalade and berries become jam, pears or apples cooked down into a spread are called “butter.”

Learn More Now ›

How do you make butter firmer? ›

Chill and Store: Place the shaped butter in a bowl of ice water for a few minutes to firm it up. Once it's firm, you can transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Homemade butter can be stored for a few weeks.

See Details ›

Does pear butter go bad? ›

Homemade Pear Butter will stay fresh for up to 3 weeks if stored properly! Once the Pear Butter has totally cooled to room temperature, place it in an airtight food storage container (I use glass jars) and place it in the fridge.

Read The Full Story ›

What brings out pear flavor? ›

In “Nicole Routhier's Fruit Cookbook” (Workman Publishing, 1996), the author recommends dishes with cloves, cinnamon or ginger to “bring out a pear's gentle splendor.” Pear and Sweet Potato Soup uses both ginger and cinnamon in the base and cinnamon in buttery croutons.

See Details ›

What flavors mix well with pear? ›

Pear: Pairs well with almond, apple, caramel, chestnut, chocolate, cinnamon, citrus, clove, ginger, hazelnut, nutmeg, pecan, raspberry, rosemary, vanilla, and walnut.

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.

Get More Info Here ›

Which pear is the sweetest? ›

Comice pears were originally cultivated in France. They're known as the sweetest pear variety, and are often the variety shipped in gift boxes. Because of this, they're sometimes given the nickname “the Christmas pear.” Comice pears have light green skin with a blush of pinkish red.

Get More Info ›

What is the best brand of pears? ›

We recommend using Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou pears. These varieties have the highest volume and are widely available in grocery stores year-round. Here's our guide to these fall harvest gems!

Show Me More ›

Are Bosc or Bartlett pears better for baking? ›

You'll want to choose pears that hold together well when making poached, baked, or grilled pears. Look to the crispest raw pears to find those that can withstand heat. The popular Bosc pear is the best option.

Tell Me More ›

Why is my pear butter gritty? ›

Pear flesh is infused with very fine grit, made of clusters of stone cells. Stone cells, a subtype of sclereid cells, make up some other very hard tissues like peach pits and nut shells. Stone cells are born with their own death as an end goal.

Know More ›

What is a French butter pear? ›

Resembling a green bartlett pear, the French butter pear has a slight lemon flavor and a juicy, delicate texture. It has a green skin with russets and a creamy, dense, buttery flesh. French butter pears bruise easily.

What do jamaicans call avocados pears? ›

The above names refer to one and the same fruit in Jamaica. It has been commonly called "Pear," but "Avocado Pear" is coming to be more generally used by the educated classes. The name "Aligator Pear" here refers to a particular variety which has a very long neck which is crooked like some of the gourds.

Read The Full Story ›

Why is my beurre blanc not thickening? ›

too quickly initially will result in a thin sauce that is difficult to thicken later on. Only once at least half the butter has been added and a double cream consistency has been achieved can the butter be added a little more quickly, but still carefully. Overheating the emulsion will split it.

Learn More Now ›

How do you thicken fruit butter? ›

Simmer rather than boil fruit butter. Stir constantly as it thickens, especially as it reaches the point of doneness.

Tell Me More ›

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

Apple butter will thicken as it cools, so don't worry if it still looks a little runny in the slow cooker! If you still need to thicken your apple butter, you can continue to cook it uncovered in your crock pot or simmer it on the stove.

Explore More ›

Why is my pear jelly not setting up? ›

Generally speaking, if your jam doesn't firm up, you were short in pectin, sugar or acidity or didn't get a hard boil. We will correct that when we remake the jam or jelly! Finally, you CANNOT reliably make batches of jam larger than 6 cups of raw fruit (of course, but the time you add sweetener, lemon juice, etc.

View Details ›

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