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Master Spiced Pear Butter: Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, and Stovetop Methods

A close-up of thick, rich brown pear butter served in a small white ramekin on a wooden surface.
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Create rich, spiced pear butter using your preferred method: slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop. This recipe uses ripe pears and warm spices for a spread perfect for toast or gifting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 lbs ripe pears (Bartlett or Anjou), peeled, cored, and quartered
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pears: Peel, core, and quarter the pears. Place the prepared pears into your chosen cooking vessel (slow cooker, Instant Pot, or large pot for stovetop).
  2. Combine Ingredients: Add the brown sugar, water, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves to the pears. Stir everything together.
  3. Cook: Choose your method:
    • Slow Cooker: Cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the pears are very soft.
    • Instant Pot: Cook on High Pressure for 15 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
    • Stovetop: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the pears are tender.
  4. Blend: Carefully transfer the cooked pear mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Add the vanilla extract and lemon juice. Blend until completely smooth.
  5. Thicken (If Necessary): If the butter seems too thin, return it to the cooking vessel (or a saucepan for stovetop). Simmer uncovered over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the desired thick consistency is reached. This step concentrates the flavor.
  6. Cool and Store: Allow the pear butter to cool slightly before transferring it to clean jars. For short-term storage, refrigerate for up to 3 weeks. For long-term storage, process jars using a water bath canning method for 10 minutes.

Notes

  • For a Salted Caramel Pear Butter variation, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 cup of soft caramel sauce after blending.
  • If you use sweeter pears, reduce the brown sugar amount. Taste before adding all the sugar.
  • Bartlett pears break down easily, offering a smooth texture, while Anjou pears hold their shape slightly more but still yield a good butter.
  • For an Apple Pear Butter, substitute 1 pound of the pears with firm, tart apples like Granny Smith.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishcraze.com/pear-butter-recipe-slow-cooker-instant-pot/