Vanilla Spiced Pear Butter

The Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin: Check your fridge and pantry, then use this as a shopping guide. For exact measurements, see the FREE printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Pears – Use ripe, fragrant pears for the best natural sweetness.
• Water – Helps the pears cook down smoothly.
• Lemon Juice & Lemon Zest – Adds brightness and balances the sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar – Enhances the pears’ natural flavor and helps with caramelization.
• Vanilla Extract – Brings out warm, rich notes in the fruit butter. I like to use my own bourbon vanilla extract, but any kind will work. 
• Cinnamon, Cardamom & Nutmeg – Adds warm, cozy spice. Feel free to tweak the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom levels to suit your taste.
• Fresh Orange Juice – Complements the spices and enhances the overall richness.

Katie’s Tip: I highly recommend using freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice for the best flavor. Bottled juice won’t have the same bright, fresh taste.

What Are the Best Pears to Use? 

Honestly, it doesn’t really matter what type of pears you use! As long as they’re ripe, you’re good to go.

I usually grab Bartlett pears because they tend to go on sale at the grocery store, but I’ve also made this with D’Anjou, Bosc, and Red D’Anjou, and they all worked great! You can use a mix of different pears or stick with just one variety.

One exception: I don’t recommend Asian pears for this recipe. They’re too watery, have a different flavor and texture, and won’t cook down properly.

How to Make Pear Butter on the Stovetop

There’s something so cozy about simmering pears with warm spices on a crisp fall day. The smell alone is better than any candle, and by the time it’s done, you have a homemade spread that tastes like a hug in a jar!

1. Cook the pears. Combine the fresh pears, water, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a large saucepan (stainless steel, please!) and simmer for about 20 minutes. You’re just looking for the pears to soften at this stage. 
2. Blend until smooth. I love using my immersion blender for this, but a food processor or blender works too. You want the mixture to be uniformly smooth in texture, but NOT liquified. 
3. Cook down with spices and sugar. This recipe calls for 8 cups of the stewed pear mixture (if you have more than 8 cups, eat the leftovers as pear sauce). Add the remaining ingredients to the saucepan along with the pear puree and cook low and slow for about 6 hours to thicken. 

Katie’s Tip: The pear butter is ready when it thickens and holds its shape on a spoon, with no liquid separating.

Katie’s Tips for Making This Recipe

• No need to finely chop the pears – Since the pears cook down and soften, there’s no need for precise dicing. However, don’t skip peeling them. The skins will affect the final texture.
• Choose the right burner size – For even cooking, use a stove burner that matches your pot size. A large pot on a small burner will cook unevenly and take much longer to reduce. 
• Stir regularly to prevent sticking – As the pear butter thickens, it’s more likely to stick to the bottom of the pot. Stir often, especially toward the end of cooking, to prevent scorching.
• Watch for splattering – Thickening pear butter can bubble and spit. If simmering uncovered, use a splatter guard to keep your stove (and arms!) mess-free.
• Use the citrus juice if you’ll be canning this recipe – If you plan to water bath can this pear butter, do NOT reduce or remove the lemon or orange juice. The acidity is essential for safe canning, ensuring the proper pH level. Same goes for the amount of sugar and pears called for in the recipe; the spiced pear butter needs to be made exactly as written in order to can it safely.
• Want it extra smooth? If you prefer a super silky texture, let the pear butter simmer a little longer, then blend it with an immersion blender again before storing.
• Struggling to open a jar after canning? I’ve been there! Head over to my post on How to Open a Jar for five proven tricks to loosen even the tightest lids.

Ways to Use It 

There are so many delicious ways to enjoy vanilla spiced pear butter! Here are a few of my favorites:

• Spread it on toast or English muffins – A classic and cozy way to start the day.
• Stir into yogurt or granola – Try it with a bowl of Greek yogurt. 
• Mix into cottage cheese – Adds a touch of natural sweetness.
• Swap it for syrup on pancakes & waffles – Use it in place of maple syrup on your favorite breakfast recipes. Try my recipes for Multigrain Pancakes, Pecan Waffles, or Fluffy Belgian Waffles.
• Drizzle over French toast – Try it on Pecan French Toast for an extra treat.
• Pair with cheese for a cheeseboard – A perfect complement to aged cheeses at a cheese tasting party.

Storage Instructions

There are three ways to store pear butter, depending on how long you want to keep it:

• Canning – Canning pear butter is the best option if you’re making a large batch. Water bath canning preserves it for up to 12 months, so you can enjoy homemade pear butter well beyond pear season! (Instructions provided in the recipe card below.) 
• Refrigerating – Store in an airtight container and enjoy within 2–3 weeks.
• Freezing – Use freezer-safe glass or plastic containers and freeze for up to 6 months.