Seasonal Saturdays – Homemade Pear Butter

A sweet friend of mine called me up the other morning and wanted to know if I could use some fresh pears. She had more than she needed and didn’t have time to get them processed before they’d be overripe. A short time later I had a lovely big box of very ripe, sweet, juicy pears!

I have to admit one big sniff and I was transported back to childhood, helping my mother and grandmother can pears. I remember standing on a chair to be tall enough to reach.

My grandmother also used to make the most delicious pear bread and pear butter. I’ve made both before but admit I don’t make the pear bread very often because it’s really not that healthy and I know I’d eat it all in one sitting. The pear butter however…..that’s a different story.

I had recently opened my second to last jar so the timing of this box of pears couldn’t have been better. When I mentioned to Emily that I was making pear butter she asked me to share my recipe. This may not be identical to my grandmothers but it tastes the same to me.

If I’m being honest, I’m the sort of cook who throws a lot of things in without measuring so this recipe is as close as I can get but you can always add the sweetening and spices to your taste. I tend to like it quite spicy.

It’s amazing on toast, pancakes or waffles, over fruit or ice cream and so many other ways. It’s thick enough to spread on bread but thin enough to drizzle over ice cream and the like.

I always make this in large batches and then can it in pint size jars but it can be frozen as well. The color varies depending on the amount of spices in the batch and the types of pears. Also tossing with the lemons juice (as mentioned in the recipe) will keep the pears a lighter color. To me the color doesn’t matter at all but if it does to you – there you have it!

I hope you enjoy this recipe for many years to come. Maybe your granddaughter will remember it fondly too!

Emily’s Caramel Pears

Emily made the most delicious looking caramel dipped pears the other day and agreed to share her recipe with us all today. Just click on the photo below.

Happy cooking!