Homemade Crock Pot Pear Butter: Your Essential Guide to a Delicious Fruit Spread
There’s an undeniable magic that happens when seasonal fruits meet the slow cooker. And for me, that magic is perfectly encapsulated in this incredible CrockPot Pear Butter recipe. While my love for the CrockPot was already deep-rooted, this recipe elevated it to new heights, filling my kitchen with the most enchanting, sweet aroma of simmering pears. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an experience that awakens the senses and promises homemade goodness.
Do you ever find yourself with an abundance of ripe pears, wondering how to make the most of their fleeting seasonal glory? Perhaps you visited an orchard, or a generous friend shared their harvest, leaving you with a countertop piled high with juicy, fragrant fruit. This recipe is your answer!
My kitchen often buzzes with the gentle hum of a slow cooker, transforming simple ingredients into comforting meals with minimal effort. CrockPot recipes are a true staple in our home, embodying the philosophy of set-it-and-forget-it cooking that fits perfectly into a busy lifestyle. There’s a unique satisfaction in preparing ingredients, letting the slow cooker work its magic, and returning hours later to a perfectly cooked, flavorful dish or, in this case, a delightful spread.
While CrockPot Apple Butter often steals the spotlight, I’m here to tell you that pear butter deserves an equally prominent place in your pantry. Its subtly sweet flavor, velvety texture, and irresistible fragrance make it a truly special treat. If you’re looking for other fruit butter adventures, don’t miss our fantastic CrockPot Apple Butter and a sunny Peach Butter recipe that can extend summer vibes well into the cooler months. We understand the longing for those warm days, even as the aroma of pumpkin spice begins to fill the air!
Pear butter is not just a spread; it’s a celebration of autumn’s bounty, a warm hug in a jar. It’s incredibly versatile and easy to customize, making it a perfect project for both seasoned cooks and beginners. Let’s dive into how you can create this luscious, aromatic pear butter right in your own slow cooker.
Ingredients for Your Perfect Pear Butter
Crafting this epic CrockPot Pear Butter requires just a few simple ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your pantry. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, allowing the natural sweetness and delicate flavor of the pears to truly shine. For precise measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card at the bottom of this article.
Essential Ingredients:
- Pears: The star of our show! You can use any variety of ripe pears. Firmer pears like Bosc or Anjou hold their shape well initially but soften beautifully, while softer varieties like Bartlett will break down even faster. Choose pears that are ripe but not overly soft, ensuring maximum flavor.
- Orange Juice: A splash of orange juice adds a bright, citrusy note that complements the pears perfectly. It also helps in breaking down the fruit and prevents it from sticking to the slow cooker. Freshly squeezed or good quality store-bought, either works wonders.
- Granulated Sugar: This recipe allows for flexibility with sweetness. Our updated recipe uses less sugar to let the natural sweetness of the pears come through, but you can adjust it to your preference.
- Ground Cinnamon: A classic warm spice that pairs beautifully with pears, adding a comforting depth of flavor.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: This blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves brings a wonderful autumnal warmth, enhancing the overall profile of the pear butter.
Optional Flavor Boosters:
- Nutmeg: For an extra layer of warm spice.
- Ginger: A hint of ground ginger can add a gentle warmth and a subtle zing.
- Cardamom: For a more exotic and aromatic touch, cardamom is a fantastic addition.
- Vanilla Extract: A teaspoon of vanilla extract added at the end of cooking can elevate the sweetness and aroma.
- Brown Sugar or Honey: If you prefer a richer, more molasses-like sweetness, brown sugar can be substituted for part or all of the granulated sugar. Honey offers a more natural, floral sweetness.
Feel free to experiment with these additional spices to tailor the pear butter to your family’s unique taste preferences. The goal is to create a spread that truly delights your palate!
Equipment Needed for Effortless Pear Butter
Making pear butter in a slow cooker is incredibly straightforward, and you don’t need a lot of specialized equipment. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand to ensure a smooth and enjoyable cooking process:
- Sharp Knife: Essential for peeling and quartering the pears. A good quality chef’s knife or paring knife will make this task quick and easy.
- Vegetable Peeler: To efficiently remove the pear skins. A swivel peeler or a Y-peeler are both excellent choices.
- Slow Cooker (CrockPot): This is the star appliance! We highly recommend using a slow cooker with a digital timer that automatically switches to a “warm” setting after the cooking time is complete. This feature is a game-changer, ensuring your pear butter cooks perfectly without any risk of overcooking if you’re not around to turn it off immediately. A 6-quart or larger slow cooker works well for this recipe.
- Mix ‘n Chop or Potato Masher: For mashing the cooked pears to your desired consistency. While the Mix ‘n Chop is fantastic for ground meats, it’s also surprisingly effective for breaking down soft fruits. A traditional potato masher works just as well.
- Spider Strainer: This tool is excellent for carefully removing the soft pears from the slow cooker liquid, allowing you to drain excess moisture easily without losing any fruit. Its wide, basket-like design handles the weight of the pears effortlessly.
- Immersion Blender (Optional): For those who desire an exceptionally smooth, uniform pear butter without any chunks, an immersion blender (also known as a stick blender) is your best friend. It allows you to blend the pears directly in the slow cooker pot, minimizing cleanup.
- Sealed Jars: Mason jars or other airtight containers are perfect for storing your finished pear butter, maintaining its freshness and rustic charm.
How to Make Homemade CrockPot Pear Butter: Step-by-Step
Making pear butter in your slow cooker is a wonderfully rewarding process that requires minimal hands-on time. The gentle, long cooking method truly brings out the rich flavors and sweet aromas of the pears. Here’s a detailed guide to creating your own delicious pear butter:
- Prepare the Pears: Begin by washing your pears thoroughly. Using a sharp knife and a vegetable peeler, carefully peel the skin from each pear. Once peeled, quarter the pears and remove the core. You can chop them into smaller chunks if you prefer, as this may help them break down slightly faster. Place the prepared pear pieces directly into the basin of your slow cooker.
- Add Liquid and Initial Cook: Pour the orange juice over the pears in the slow cooker. The orange juice not only adds a lovely citrus undertone but also provides enough liquid to help the pears steam and soften without scorching. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the LOW setting for 10 to 12 hours. This long, slow cooking time is crucial for tenderizing the pears and developing deep flavor. During this phase, the pears will become incredibly soft and fragrant.
- Drain Excess Liquid: After the initial cooking time, carefully uncover the slow cooker. You’ll notice a good amount of liquid released from the pears. Using a spider strainer or a slotted spoon, gently remove the softened pear pieces from the slow cooker, allowing any excess liquid to drain back into the pot. You can discard this liquid, as it has served its purpose in softening the fruit.
- Mash the Pears: Once the pears are drained, it’s time to mash them to your desired consistency. If you prefer a chunky pear butter, a potato masher or a ‘Mix ‘n Chop’ tool works perfectly. For a smoother texture, a handheld electric mixer will yield excellent results. For an ultra-smooth, jam-like consistency, an immersion blender can be used directly in the slow cooker pot after draining the liquid, or you can transfer the pears to a separate blender or food processor. Blend until no large chunks remain.
- Sweeten and Spice: Return the mashed pears to the slow cooker. Now, add your granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice to the pear mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly, ensuring the sugar and spices are well incorporated. This is where the magic truly comes alive, as the spices infuse the pear butter with its signature warm, inviting flavor.
- Final Cook: Cover the slow cooker once more and cook on the HIGH setting for an additional 1 hour. This shorter, higher-heat cook allows the flavors to meld, the sugar to dissolve, and the pear butter to thicken slightly, reaching that perfect consistency. Stir occasionally during this final hour to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Store Your Pear Butter: Once the pear butter has finished cooking and has reached your desired consistency, turn off the slow cooker. Carefully transfer the hot pear butter into clean, sterilized airtight jars, such as mason jars. Fill them almost to the top, leaving a small amount of headspace. Seal the jars tightly.
Allow the pear butter to cool completely on your countertop before refrigerating. As it cools, it will continue to thicken, developing that luscious, spreadable texture you crave. Your homemade CrockPot Pear Butter is now ready to be enjoyed!
Preparation and Storage Tips
Making pear butter is a fantastic way to prepare a delicious spread in advance, perfect for gifting or enjoying throughout the season.
- Make-Ahead & Storage: CrockPot Pear Butter is an ideal make-ahead treat. Once cooled, transfer your pear butter to airtight containers. We love using classic glass mason jars not just for their rustic aesthetic but also for their excellent sealing capabilities. Stored properly in the refrigerator, your homemade pear butter will remain fresh and delicious for up to 2-3 weeks.
- Freezing for Longer Enjoyment: To extend the shelf life of your pear butter, freezing is an excellent option. Spoon any leftovers into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving about half an inch of headspace to account for expansion. Label with the date. Frozen pear butter will maintain its quality for up to 3 months.
- Thawing & Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen pear butter, simply transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. For quicker thawing, you can place the container on the kitchen countertop for a few hours until it’s soft enough to stir. It can be enjoyed cold, or gently warmed on the stovetop over low heat if you prefer it warm for serving.
Recipe Variations to Explore
One of the joys of cooking from scratch is the freedom to customize. This CrockPot Pear Butter recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your dietary needs or flavor preferences.
- Spice Substitutions: While pumpkin pie spice is a favorite for its warm, complex flavor, you can easily substitute it with allspice if that’s what you have on hand. Other great options include a mix of ground cloves, ginger, and a touch more cinnamon. Feel free to adjust the spice levels to your taste.
- Sweetener Alternatives: For a different kind of sweetness, consider replacing some or all of the granulated sugar with honey, maple syrup, or even brown sugar for a deeper, caramel-like note. Remember that liquid sweeteners might slightly alter the consistency, so you might need to cook it a bit longer to reach desired thickness.
- Adding Vanilla: A teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, stirred in after cooking, adds a lovely depth and rounds out the flavors beautifully.
- Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly: This recipe is naturally 100% plant-based, making it a delicious choice for both vegetarian and vegan diets without any modifications.
- Gluten-Free: All the ingredients in this recipe (pears, orange juice, sugar, and spices) are inherently gluten-free. However, if you have a severe gluten sensitivity or allergy, always double-check the labels of any packaged ingredients (like spice blends) to ensure they are certified gluten-free.
- Alcohol-Free Option: Our recipe is naturally alcohol-free, perfect for all ages. However, if you’re looking for an adult twist, some recipes, like Adamant Kitchen’s Maple Whiskey Pear Butter, incorporate a touch of spirits for a sophisticated fruit spread.
- Adjusting Serving Size: The base recipe yields approximately 12 servings. It’s incredibly easy to scale up or down. If you’re working with a smaller batch of pears, simply halve the ingredients. For a larger yield, you can double or triple the recipe, but be mindful that you might need to cook in batches or use a larger slow cooker to accommodate the volume.
- Sugar-Free Version: The written recipe contains about 25 grams of sugar per serving, including naturally occurring sugars from the pears and orange juice. To reduce the sugar content, you can opt for a sugar-free white sugar substitute and use no-sugar-added orange juice. Adjust the sweetener to taste, as sugar substitutes vary in intensity.
Tips for the Best CrockPot Pear Butter
Achieving the perfect pear butter is easy with a few insider tips. These pointers will help you get the most out of your slow cooker and create a truly exceptional spread:
- Sweetness Adjustment: When I first created this recipe in 2013, it called for 2.5 cups of sugar. In my 2020 update, I significantly reduced this to ½ cup of sugar. This change was made to highlight the natural sweetness of the pears and create a less intensely sweet butter. You can certainly revert to the original 2.5 cups if you prefer a very sweet spread, but I recommend starting with less and tasting before adding more. You can always add more sugar after the initial cook if needed.
- Achieving Your Desired Texture: For mashing the pears, if you don’t have a specific ‘Mix ‘n Chop’ tool, a standard potato masher works perfectly for a slightly chunky texture. For an incredibly smooth, almost jam-like consistency, a handheld electric mixer or an immersion blender is your best bet. Blend directly in the slow cooker pot (after draining the liquid) for convenience. The longer you blend, the smoother it will become.
- Gifting Homemade Pear Butter: Homemade pear butter makes a thoughtful and cherished gift. I love packaging it in cute Ball Jars. To add a personal touch, label them with charming “Made With Love” stickers or use canning labels where you can write personalized messages to friends and family. It’s a gift that truly comes from the heart and tastes delicious!
- Choosing Ripe Pears: While any pear variety works, ensure your pears are ripe. Ripe pears will be softer and more flavorful, leading to a richer, sweeter butter. If your pears are very firm, they might take a little longer to break down in the slow cooker.
- Don’t Rush the Process: The key to fruit butter is low and slow cooking. Resist the urge to crank up the heat to speed things up. The extended cooking time at a gentle temperature allows the flavors to deepen and the fruit to caramelize slightly, creating that characteristic rich taste.
What to Serve with CrockPot Pear Butter
The versatility of CrockPot Pear Butter is truly remarkable! From a simple breakfast spread to an elegant accompaniment, its sweet and comforting flavor enhances a wide variety of dishes. Here are some menu planning suggestions to inspire you:
Delicious Sides and Breakfast Treats:
Pear butter is a match made in heaven for breakfast and brunch items. Spread it generously on:
- Freshly baked bread, toast, or bagels.
- Warm scones or biscuits.
- Muffins – especially Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins or classic blueberry.
- Stir it into hot cereals like oatmeal or cream of wheat for a burst of fruit flavor.
- Swirl into yogurt parfaits with granola for a healthy and delicious start to your day.
Pair it with these homemade delights:
- Homemade Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- CrockPot Bourbon Banana Bread
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Tinta Port Wine Banana Bread
- CrockPot Pumpkin Bread
- Apple Cider Bread
- 3 Ingredient Banana Bread
- Nutella Banana Bread
Main Dishes and Desserts:
Don’t limit pear butter to just breakfast! Its rich flavor can elevate various main dishes and desserts:
- Serve it alongside pork or chicken dishes as a flavorful chutney or glaze.
- Use it as a filling for tarts, pastries, or crepes.
- Drizzle it over pancakes or waffles for an extra special touch. Try with Easy German Apple Pancakes, Muffin Mix Pancakes, or Cinnamon Roll Waffles.
- A spoonful stirred into CrockPot Blueberry Oatmeal, CrockPot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, or CrockPot Banana Bread Oatmeal makes for a hearty and flavorful start.
- Dollop it on top of ice cream or a slice of cheesecake for an instant dessert upgrade.
- Spread it on Cinnamon Toast or French Toast Casserole.
- Enhance your CrockPot Apple & Raisin French Toast.
Check out these easy bread recipes perfect for pairing with your homemade pear butter.
When to Serve CrockPot Pear Butter
This delightful fruit spread is truly a year-round pleasure, but it shines particularly bright during certain times and occasions.
- Breakfast & Brunch: Its most natural home! Spread it on toast, muffins, pancakes, or stir it into oatmeal.
- Snacktime: A healthy and satisfying snack when paired with crackers, cheese, or simply a spoon!
- Coffee or Tea Snack: Perfect with a cup of your favorite brew, perhaps alongside a scone or biscuit.
- Autumn & Holiday Gatherings: A wonderful addition to charcuterie boards, cheese platters, or as a thoughtful homemade gift during fall and winter festivities.
- Dessert Enhancement: A luxurious topping for vanilla ice cream, plain yogurt, or even cheesecake.
- Anytime You Crave Fruit Butter: Seriously, if you love jams, jellies, and fruit butters, you’ll find endless ways to incorporate this into your meals!
Discover More Delicious Recipe Collections
If you loved making this CrockPot Pear Butter, you’re in for a treat! Explore more culinary adventures with our curated recipe collections:
- Breakfast for Dinner Ideas – Delightful brunch-for-dinner recipes that are perfect for any night.
- Easy Pasta Recipes – From quick skillet meals to comforting pasta bakes and even CrockPot pasta dishes, we have a pasta recipe for every craving and cooking style.
- Slow Cooker Game Day Recipes – Score big with these epic slow cooker appetizers and main dishes, perfect for cheering on your favorite team.
- Ground Beef Recipes – Discover a variety of fantastic ground beef recipes that make for amazing and satisfying dinners.
- 3 Ingredient Recipes – Incredible appetizers, entrees, and desserts that remarkably require only three ingredients or less!
- Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipes – Indulge in epic recipes that cleverly utilize the rich, creamy magic of sweetened condensed milk.
- Apple Desserts – Explore the perfect collection of apple and fall-themed desserts, ideal for harvest season.
- Sour Cream Recipes – Uncover all the diverse and delicious ways you can incorporate sour cream into your cooking and baking.
Looking for more culinary inspiration? Dive into our extensive categories for copycat recipes, irresistible dessert recipes, and an entire collection dedicated to amazing CrockPot Recipes. Happy cooking!
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Crock Pot Pear Butter Recipe
Easy to make Crock Pot Pear Butter Recipe you will love! Great for fall or any time of the year!
Ingredients
- 10 large pears
- 1 cup orange juice
- ½ cup White Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
Instructions
- Peel and quarter pears, place in slow cooker add in orange juice.
- Cover and cook on low for 10 – 12 hours, drain and discard liquid.
- Mash pears.
- Add sugar and spices to pear mix.
- Cover and cook on high for 1 hour.
- Store in sealed jars.
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
- Spider Strainer
- Hamburger Mix and Chop
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 9
Recipe originally shared on October 26, 2013. Updated September 2020.