Pear butter is a delicious, smooth spread made from pears. It’s similar to apple butter but uses pears instead of apples. Pear butter is not only easy to make, but it also fills your home with a sweet, cozy aroma while it cooks. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the fall season when pears are in abundance. Let’s explore how to make this tasty treat and learn a little about its history.
The History of Pear Butter Recipe
The history of pear butter is closely tied to the tradition of making fruit preserves. Long before the invention of refrigerators, people needed a way to preserve fruit for the winter. Fruit butters, like pear butter, were a great solution.
The origins of fruit butters date back to the Middle Ages in Europe, especially in countries like Germany and the Netherlands. These regions were known for making fruit preserves, including apple and pear butter. The name “butter” comes from the smooth, creamy texture, not because it contains any dairy.
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Homemade Easy Pear Butter Recipe
Course: MainCuisine: EuropeanDifficulty: Easy32
servings30
minutes1
hour45
minutes82
kcalThis pear butter recipe is an old recipe from a dear friend who added orange and nutmeg for a delicious flavor. It tastes so good!
Ingredients
4 pounds medium pears, quartered and cored
½ cup water, or as needed
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ cup orange juice
Directions
- Place pears into a large pot over medium heat; add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pot and keep them from sticking, about 1/2 cup. Cook until the pears are soft, about 30 minutes. Press pears through a sieve or food mill, and measure out 2 quarts of the pulp.
- Pour pear pulp and sugar into a large saucepan and stir to dissolve sugar. Stir in orange zest, nutmeg, and orange juice. Cook over medium heat until mixture is thick enough to mound in a spoon. When mixture begins to thicken, stir frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom. This process will take about 1 hour.
- Ladle pear butter into hot sterile jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Remove air bubbles by sliding a metal spatula around where the pear butter touches the glass. Wipe jar rims clean, and seal with lids and rings.
- Process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath. The water should cover the jars by 1 inch. Check with your local extension for exact processing times for your area.
Notes
- Choose Ripe Pears: For the best flavor, use ripe pears. They should be soft to the touch and smell sweet. Bartlett or Bosc pears work well for this recipe, but you can use any variety.
- Slow Cooking for Best Flavor: The longer you cook the pear butter, the deeper the flavor will become. However, be sure to cook it on low heat and stir often to prevent burning.
