Best Pear Butter Recipes

PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Place pears into a large pot over medium heat, and 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 the pear pulp and sugar into a large saucepan and stir to dissolve sugar. Stir in the orange zest, nutmeg and orange juice. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is thick enough to mound in a spoon. When the mixture begins to thicken, stir frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom. This will take about 1 hour.
• Ladle the 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.

BUTTER LETTUCE SALAD WITH GORGONZOLA AND PEAR DRESSING

Steps:

• For the dressing: In a blender, blend together the oil, pear nectar, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, diced pear, cheese, salt and pepper until smooth.
• For the salad: Place the lettuce wedges on 4 salad plates. Arrange the avocado, pear slices, hazelnuts and cranberries around the lettuce. Drizzle with the dressing and serve.

SLOW-COOKER PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Place spices on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose spices; tie securely with string. In a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker, toss remaining ingredients. Add spice bag, covering with pears., Cook, covered, on low 5-6 hours or until pears are tender. Remove spice bag., Puree pear mixture using an immersion blender. Or, cool slightly and puree mixture in a blender in batches; return to slow cooker., Cook, uncovered, on high 1-2 hours or until mixture is thickened to desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Store cooled pear butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Freeze option: Freeze cooled pear butter in freezer containers up to 3 months. Liquids expand as they freeze, so leave extra room at the top of the freezer container. To use, thaw in refrigerator.

SPICED PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Place pears and 1/2 cup water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook until softened, about 20 minutes. Transfer pears to a blender or food processor; puree until smooth but not liquefied.
• Return pear puree to the saucepan. Add agave nectar, lemon juice, orange zest, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer pear butter until thickened, stirring frequently, 70 to 90 minutes.
• Wash and rinse six 1/2-pint jars, lids and rings; let jars and rings dry on a rack. Immerse lids in a dish of boiling water.
• Fill a large canning pot with water. Bring to a boil; cover and keep simmering.
• Fill the dry jars to 1/2 inch from the top with hot pear butter using a ladle and canning funnel. Wipe rims clean. Pick up lids using tongs; cap jars and screw on the rings. Use canning tongs to completely immerse jars into the pot of boiling water. Cover pot; boil jars for 10 minutes.
• Remove jars with your tongs. Let cool, about 24 hours. Check seals to make sure lids have sucked down; listen for a popping sound. Label jars and store.

SLOW-COOKER PEAR AND APPLE BUTTER

Steps:

• Peel, quarter, and core pears and apples. In a food processor, finely grate fruit (in batches, if necessary), then transfer to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in dark-brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon stick. Cover and cook on high, 4 hours.
• Remove cinnamon stick and reserve. Transfer mixture to processor (in batches, if necessary) and process until smooth. Return to slow cooker, along with cinnamon stick, and cook on high, uncovered, until mixture is thick and browned, 4 hours. Discard cinnamon stick and let mixture cool. Transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate, up to 3 weeks, or freeze, up to 3 months.

BASIC PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Place pears in a food processor or blender; puree until smooth.
• Measure 3 cups pureed pears into a saucepan. Add sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bubbling, about 15 minutes. Stir in cinnamon. Cook, stirring frequently, until thick, about 15 minutes more.
• Immerse a 1-pint jar in simmering water for 5 minutes. Wash lid and ring in warm soapy water. Fill hot jar with pear mixture. Seal and store in the refrigerator.

BROWN BUTTER PEAR CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan.
• Mix flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in large bowl.
• Beat sugar and eggs with an electric mixer on medium speed in a separate bowl until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in oil and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well-blended. Mix in flour mixture until batter is smooth. Fold in pears and walnuts. Pour batter into the prepared tube pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting on a wire rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until it is a rich brown color and has a nutty aroma, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until icing is thick and smooth. Stir in water 1 tablespoon at a time to thin icing to desired consistency. Drizzle icing over cooled cake.

PEAR AND PECORINO RAVIOLI WITH SAGE BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Place pears in large bowl. If too much liquid, drain through fine strainer. Mix in pecorino, mascarpone and egg yolk.
• Place 1 wonton wrapper on work surface. Place 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons mixture in middle of wrapper. Brush edges with water, and fold wrapper over. Press firmly to seal.
• Fill 4-quart saucepan two-thirds full of water. Add salt; heat to boiling. Gently slide in 5 ravioli. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until done. Repeat until all of the ravioli is cooked.
• In 8- to 10-inch skillet, heat butter and sage over medium-high heat until butter is golden brown, reducing heat if needed to keep butter from burning. Remove sage; pour butter over ravioli. Sprinkle with extra cheese as desired.

PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Wash 8-10 pint jars in hot soapy water or in dish washer.
• Keep hot until needed.
• Prepare lids as manufacturer directs.
• Place in a 6-quart pot.
• Pour orange juice over fruit.
• Stir in orange peel, sugar, spices and seed of vanilla bean.
• Use a hand blender if need be to get a nice smooth puree.
• Stirring constantly over medium heat, bring to a boil.
• Ladle into hot jars 1 at a time, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
• Release trapped air.
• Wipe rim of jars with a clean damp cloth.
• Attach lid.
• Place in canner.
• Process in a boiling-water bath.
• For 15 minutes.

APPLE PEAR BUTTER WITH PIE CRUST DIPPERS

Steps:

• For the apple pear butter: Place the apples and pears in the insert of a slow cooker. Pour the apple cider and maple syrup over the fruit, then drop the tea bag in and sprinkle with the salt. Gently stir to coat the fruit, being mindful not to break the tea bag. Cover and set to cook on high until the fruit is completely tender, about 8 hours. Discard the tea bag.
• Scoop the fruit into the bowl of a food processor with a slotted spoon and pulse until smooth, working in batches if necessary, about 1 minute. Pour the fruit puree into a large nonstick pot. Place the pot over low heat and bring to a simmer, then simmer until the volume is reduced by a third and the color darkens and intensifies, 35 to 40 minutes.
• For the pie crust dippers: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Place the round of pie dough on a cutting board. Add a splash of water to the beaten egg and brush the crust with the egg wash. Combine the sugar, apple pie spice and salt in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the pie dough. Use a pizza cutter or knife to slice the round into 20 strips. Place on the lined baking sheet and bake until golden brown and crispy, 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.
• Serve the butter alongside the pie crust dippers or store in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks. If preparing in advance, allow to cool completely before covering and storing.

SLOW COOKED SPICY APPLE-PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• 1. Peel, core and slice apples and pears thin.
• 2. In a medium bowl, combine sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt; whisk to combine.
• 3. Place about 1/4 of the apples and pears in the crock pot, sprinkle 1/4 of the sugar mixture over the fruit in slow cooker; toss to combine. Begin layering the rest of the fruit and sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture until cooker is full. NOTE: Fill the crock pot up plus some extra. The fruit will cook down.
• 4. Cook on low setting for 10 hours; stirring occassionally. Mixture will thicken and become dark as it cooks.
• 5. After 10 hours; stir in the vanilla. Use and immersion blender to puree the fruit until smooth. Continue cooking on low another 2 hours uncovered.
• 6. Ladle hot apple-pear butter into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe rims of the jars clean with clean damp cloth, cover with hot sterilized lids, and screw bands on.
• 7. Allow jars to rest undisturbed on countertop for six hours or overnight.Check lids to ensure they sealed.
• 8. Apple butter will keep for up to one year in a cool, dark place.

PEAR AND GORGONZOLA RAVIOLI WITH WALNUTS AND ROSEMARY BUTTER

Steps:

• Filling -- In a medium non stick sauce pan on medium heat add the pears, dried and fresh, shallots and cook until the pears start to break down. The pears should give enough moisture so no oil or butter is needed. Cook until they are soft but not "mush." You still want a little texture to it. Remove and let cool.
• Add the cooled pear mix to the gorgonzola, ricotta and pepper and mix well. I like to chill this before I use this as a filling.
• Make the ravioli -- take a wonton wrapper and wet the edges just using water and your finger and then add a teaspoon of the filling to the wonton and press corner to corner to make a triangle. Press well to make sure the edges are sealed and get all the air out around the center around the filling. Once done, move to a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper until you finish making the rest of the raviolis.
• In a large pot of boiling water it is time to cook the ravioli. I like to cook this on a medium boil. NOT on high. To high of heat will just cause the raviolis to bread up. Add the raviolis 6 or 7 at a time, don't over crowd the pot and boil 1-2 minutes until they float to the surface. Once they float -- they are done. Remove and set on a cookie sheet until cooled.
• Now you can pan saute and serve them now or you store them in a ziplock for a day or so until ready.
• Saute -- In a medium non stick pan add 1 teaspoon of the butter and heat to medium. Add the ravioli and lightly pan sear. You just want to lightly brown and slightly crisp up, just a minute or so per side is all they need, and to heat up. Remove the ravioli to a serving bowl and cover.
• Sauce -- Add the wine to the pan and then the remaining butter, rosemary and walnuts, a little salt and pepper to taste. Cook another minute and pour over the ravioli.
• Enjoy them! They are a treat.

APPLE-PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine apples, pears, and apple juice in a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples and pears are soft, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Stir in honey, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Cook over low heat for 2 hours more, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat; mash fruit with potato masher. Allow to cool completely, at least 20 minutes. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Return to the saucepan over low heat; cook, uncovered, stirring often, until thickened, about 30 minutes.

BROWN BUTTER PEAR SUGAR COOKIE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, stir together cookie mix and 1 tablespoon flour. Add 1/2 cup softened butter and 1 egg; stir until a soft dough forms. Gently press dough evenly in bottom of baking dish.
• Bake 10 to 15 minutes or just until dough is set and light golden brown on edges. Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, melt 3/4 cup butter over medium heat. Once melted, cook butter about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until butter turns a deep golden brown. (Be careful because this happens quickly!) Remove saucepan from heat; immediately pour butter into glass measuring cup. Set aside to cool slightly.
• While butter is cooling, place sliced pears in single layer over cooled cookie crust.
• In large bowl, beat remaining Topping ingredients with whisk until well blended. Gradually add brown butter, beating until smooth. Pour mixture evenly over pears.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until deep golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 hour. With sharp knife, cut into 4 rows by 3 rows.

CARAMEL SPICE PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Wash the pears but do not peel or core them; slice pears into a heavy saucepan (at least 5-quart size).
• Add water, cover, and cook until tender (about 30 minutes).
• Remove from heat and press the pears through a colander or a food mill.
• Measure the pear pulp (you should have about 8 cups) and return to the pan.
• Using a frying pan, heat 1 1/2 cups of the sugar, stirring until it melts and caramelizes to a medium brown color.
• Pour immediately into the pear pulp (the syrup will sizzle and harden, but dissolve again as the preserves cook).
• Add the remaining sugar, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger.
• Cook uncovered, until thick (about 45 minutes).
• Stir frequently as it begins to thicken to prevent it from sticking.
• Stir in lemon juice just before removing it from heat.
• Pour hot mixture into steralized 1/2 pint jars, put on lid, and crew band tightly.
• Process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

GINGER & PEAR BREAD & BUTTER PUDDING

Steps:

• Spread the bread with the butter, then the preserve. Cut each slice into 4 triangles. Arrange half the bread in the base of a 300ml microwave dish. Scatter over the pear and top with the remaining bread triangles.
• Beat together the egg, half the sugar and the milk. Pour over the bread and leave to soak for 10 mins, pushing the bread down to soak up the milk mixture.
• Cook the pudding in the microwave on High for 4 mins, then leave to stand for 5 mins. Cook on High for 1 min.
• Heat the grill. Sprinkle over the remaining sugar, then cook under a hot grill until the top is bubbling and golden. Serve the pudding warm.

CARAMEL-PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine apple juice and 4 tablespoons lemon juice in heavy large deep pot. Peel, core, and cut pears, 1 at a time, into 1/2- to 3/4-inch pieces; mix pears into juice mixture in pot as soon as pears are cut, to prevent browning. Cook over medium heat until pears release enough juice for mixture to boil, stirring frequently, about 16 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until pears are very tender, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes (mixture will splatter). Remove pot from heat. Press pear mixture through fine plate of food mill into large bowl. Return pear puree to same pot. Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice, brown sugar, nutmeg, and 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until pear butter thickens and is reduced to 8 cups, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent scorching, about 1 hour.
• Ladle pear butter into 8 hot clean 1/2-pint glass canning jars, leaving 1/4-inch space at top of jars. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar threads and rims with clean damp cloth. Cover with hot lids; apply screw bands. Process jars in pot of boiling water 10 minutes. Cool completely. Store in cool dark place up to 1 year.

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH BOURBON PEAR BUTTER GLAZE

Steps:

• For the pear butter glaze: Combine the pear sauce, sugar, bourbon, cardamom and lemon juice in a saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, until it reduces by half, 25 to 30 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the glaze to slather on the chickens as they cook, and the rest for serving.
• For the roasted chicken: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Pat the chickens dry and sprinkle liberally all over with salt and pepper. Divide the rosemary, lemon rinds and fennel between the cavities of both chickens. Tie the legs with butcher's twine and tuck the wings under the chickens.
• Place the chickens in a roasting pan and roast for 45 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and slather the chickens generously with the reserved pear butter glaze. Roast until the juices run clear when pricked, 15 to 20 more minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes to allow for carryover cooking.
• For the fennel salad: Meanwhile, toss the shaved fennel with the lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper to taste and place on a platter.
• Slather the chickens generously with more of the pear butter glaze and put the chickens on top of the shaved fennel salad. Garnish with fennel fronds. Serve with the remaining glaze.

ORANGE PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine pears and orange juice in a large Dutch oven. Stir in orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and vanilla bean seeds. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until pears are tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Puree pears in a food processor or using a food mill. Return pear puree to the Dutch oven. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Cook and stir over medium heat, uncovered, until thickened, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Inspect 10 pint jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until pear butter is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Pack pear butter into hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any residue. Cover with metal lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 5 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and let rest, several inches apart, for 12 to 24 hours. Press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

EASY, LOW-SUGAR PEAR BUTTER

Steps:

• Place the pears into a large pot, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until fruit is soft, about 30 minutes. Drain and transfer the pears to a blender. Puree the pears and return them to the pot.
• Stir the sugar, sweetener, orange zest, nutmeg and orange juice into the pot and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring frequently until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the gelatin until completely dissolved. Ladle into hot sterile jars and seal with lids and rings, or fill freezer containers and freeze if you prefer.