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Easy Slow Cooker Spiced Pear Butter with Canning Instructions

A close-up of thick, dark brown homemade pear butter mounded high in a small white ceramic bowl.
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Create rich, thick, homemade pear butter using your slow cooker or Instant Pot. This simple, spiced fruit butter recipe is perfect for fall preservation, holiday food gifts, or topping your morning toast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 lbs ripe pears (no need to peel)
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Wash the pears well. Core the pears and cut them into rough chunks; you do not need to peel them for this slow cooker method.
  2. Place the pear chunks, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and water into the basin of your slow cooker.
  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 the mixture is completely smooth.
  5. If you prefer a thicker butter, return the puree to the slow cooker (or transfer to a large pot for stovetop reduction). Stir in the vanilla extract.
  6. Cook uncovered on low in the slow cooker, or simmer on medium-low on the stove, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 2 hours until the butter has thickened to your liking.
  7. For canning: Ladle the hot pear butter into sterilized half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rims clean, apply lids and bands. Process in a boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
  8. For immediate use: Cool the pear butter completely before transferring it to airtight containers for refrigerator storage.

Notes

  • This recipe works well in an Instant Pot using the ‘Slow Cook’ setting, or by cooking the pears on high pressure for 15 minutes followed by a natural release, then simmering to reduce.
  • For a deeper flavor, substitute 1/4 cup of the brown sugar with bourbon when making Maple Bourbon Pear Butter.
  • This simple fruit spread recipe is naturally vegan and dairy-free.
  • For a no-pectin fruit butter, the long cooking time concentrates the natural fruit sugars, creating the thick texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/easy-pear-butter-slow-cooker-canning-recipe/