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Kaleb Wyse wearing a black shirt standing in front of a taupe background.

Why I Love to Make This Slow Cooker Pear Butter

I get it: preserving may not be your thing. All the various components needed to prepare and cook the recipe may be overwhelming. If that’s the case, or if you just love to preserve, pear butter is the answer. Nothing is easier. Let me convince you further:

  • There’s no peeling, only the removal of the core.
  • There’s no monitoring and constant stirring over a hot stove.
  • A few spices and a slow cooker do all of the work.

Plus, if you want to make this pear butter shelf-stable, simply can it or freeze it for use months later!

Two hands holding white plate with slice of bread on it with spoon spreading pear butter onto bread
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What is pear butter?

Fruit butters contain no actual butter, but instead are made up of fruit that has been cooked into a paste. They can be lightly sweetened and usually have added spices. Commonly, we think of the super traditional apple butter, but strawberry, apricot, grape, peach, plum, and other fruits can be made into butters.

Pears have a lot of natural sugar, so only a few tablespoons of honey are added to enhance the sweetness. To amp up the seasonal notes, warm fall spices are also incorporated.

For me, this has become a family favorite on bread, oatmeal, and pancakes.

Narrow tall glass jar with diamond design filled with brown colored pear butter after being in the canner sitting on white countertop

Do you have to use a slow cooker?

Short answer: no. This recipe can be made in an 8-quart stockpot on the stove. Using this method, the pear butter needs to be stirred occasionally to make sure the liquid has not evaporated entirely and the butter is not overcooking.

The slow cooker allows you to go about your day at home, or go to sleep and wake up to a finished pear butter. Simply put, it takes away any guesswork. In the last four to five hours of cooking, remove the lid of the slow cooker and allow any excess liquid to cook off.

Hand holding slice of bread as pear butter is spread all across with glass jars filled with pear butter in background

Follow These Tips

Serving

Spread on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or swirl into yogurt or oatmeal. It’s also a great addition to cheese boards.

Storage

Store in jars in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 1 year.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Pear Butter

4.91 from 11 votes
There is nothing easier than this pear butter made entirely in a slow cooker. Simply place all of the ingredients in the cooker the night before and wake up to the aromas of fall. After a quick spin in the blender, this recipe is ready to can or freeze!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Cooker Time: 12 hours
Total: 12 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 9 cups
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Ingredients

  • 10 lb pears
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 ½ tsp ground ginger
  • 12 whole cloves crushed
  • 6 whole cardamom pods crushed
  • 3 vanilla beans (or 1 tbsp vanilla extract)

Instructions 

  • Cut ripe pears into quarters and remove the core. Slice roughly into ½-inch pieces and place in a 7- or 8-quart slow cooker. Add lemon juice, honey, cinnamon sticks, and ground ginger. Place cloves and cardamon pods in a small cheesecloth bag and add to the pears. Slice vanilla beans in half lengthwise and remove the seeds with the back of a knife. Add seeds and pods to the slow cooker. Turn the cooker on high for 8 hours.
    10 lb pears, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp honey, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1 ½ tsp ground ginger, 12 whole cloves, 6 whole cardamom pods, 3 vanilla beans (or 1 tbsp vanilla extract)
  • After 8 hours, remove the lid and cook an additional 1-4 hours to cook off excess liquid.
  • Once most of the liquid has cooked off, turn off the slow cooker and cool for 30 minutes. Blend in a blender in batches until smooth, 1-2 minutes.
  • At this point, if freezing the pear butter, pour into airtight freezer containers and freeze. If canning in a water bath, bring the pear butter to a simmer on the stove.
  • Remove and pour into sterilized 8-ounce canning jars. Fit with prepared lids and rings. Boil in a water bath for 10 minutes, making sure jars are covered by at least 1 inch of water.
  • After 10 minutes, remove from the water bath and allow the jars to cool for 12-24 hours. The lids should seal within 1-2 hours. Any that do not seal can be placed in the refrigerator and used.

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 tbspCalories: 22 kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment below!

Kaleb Wyse is a New York Times bestselling author behind the popular Wyse Guide website. Living on his fourth-generation Iowa farm, he loves sharing recipes and gardening tips that come from traditions that feel comfortably familiar. His down-to-earth style makes sustainable living and farm life feel like home!

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4.91 from 11 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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12 Comments

  1. Laura G says:

    5 stars
    Hi Kaleb,
    I love the simplicity of your methods. I do not have a big kitchen and gadgets do not have space in this kitchen. But I do have the few must have’s like blender, slow cooker, pots and pans . I also have a pear tree which gifted me ~600+ pears compared to last year’s 60 pcs. I’m a novice homesteader and I’d prefer not wasting fruits from my orchard. Thank you for sharing! I now have at least 12 more easy recipes for surplus fruits that me and my chickens cannot eat anymore. I truly appreciate you! Laura