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Easy Slow Cooker Spiced Pear Butter with Canning Instructions

Close-up of rich, dark brown pear butter swirled beautifully in a small, clear glass bowl.
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Make this easy slow cooker pear butter using ripe pears and warm spices. This recipe yields a silky, spreadable fruit butter perfect for toast or as a homemade food gift. Includes directions for water-bath canning.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 lbs ripe pears (about 12 medium), peeled, cored, and quartered
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Place the quartered pears, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and water into your slow cooker.
  2. Stir the ingredients to combine them well.
  3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the pears are very soft.
  4. Carefully transfer the cooked pear mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the slow cooker. Blend until completely smooth.
  5. Return the smooth pear mixture to the slow cooker (if using a separate blender). Stir in the vanilla extract.
  6. Cook uncovered on high for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the pear butter has thickened significantly and coats the back of a spoon. This step reduces the moisture content.
  7. For immediate use, cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
  8. For long-term storage, proceed to water-bath canning: Prepare your canning jars, lids, and water bath canner according to standard safety guidelines.
  9. Ladle the hot pear butter into hot, sterilized canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rims clean.
  10. Place lids on jars and process in a boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes (adjust time for altitudes above 1,000 feet).
  11. Remove jars and let them cool undisturbed on a towel-lined counter for 12 to 24 hours until sealed. Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place.

Notes

  • Use firm, ripe pears like Bartlett or Bosc for the best flavor and texture.
  • If you prefer a less spiced flavor, reduce the cloves and nutmeg by half.
  • This pear butter is excellent swirled into plain yogurt or used as a filling between cake layers.
  • For a salted caramel pear butter variation, add 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt and substitute 1/4 cup of the brown sugar with caramel sauce during the final cooking stage.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/easy-pear-butter-slow-cooker-recipe/