Pear butter masquerading as a decadent caramel spread. It’s fabulous with breakfast, even better on a turkey or ham sandwich.
Makes: 4 x 250 mL jars (half-pint / 8 oz)
Prep: 5 Hours Processing Time: 15 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
- 1.8 kg pears, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
- 80 mL apple cider
- 30 mL bottled lemon juice
- 440 g dark brown sugar
- 2 tsp sea salt or kosher salt
DIRECTIONS
FIRST, LET'S PREP!
Wash pears under cold running water and drain. Cut in half lengthwise, core and peel. Coarsely chop. Place chopped pears, apple cider and lemon juice in a 4-6 qt. Crock-Pot®. Set the heat on high and simmer, covered, until pears have softened; about 40 minutes. Turn heat off.
Process pear mixture using an immersion blender, or in batches in the bowl of a food processor, until puree is smooth.
Combine pear mixture with brown sugar and salt in the Crock-Pot®; turn heat to high and place lid on a diagonal over Crock-Pot® allowing steam to escape at both ends. Simmer on high, stirring every 30 minutes or so, until puree thickens, darkens in color, and holds it’s shape on a spoon; about 3-4 hours.
Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars in simmering water until ready to use, do not boil. Wash lids in warm soapy water and set aside with bands.
NEXT, LET'S CAN IT!
Ladle hot pear butter into a hot jar leaving a 1/4 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim. Center lid on jar and apply band, adjust to fingertip tight. Place jar in boiling-water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled.
Water must cover jars by 1 inch. Adjust heat to medium-high, cover canner, and bring water to a rolling boil. Process half-pint jars 15 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat and remove cover. Let jars cool 5 minutes. Remove jars from canner; do not retighten bands if loose. Cool 12-24 hours. Check lids for seal, they should not flex when center is pressed
DID YOU KNOW?
To guarantee the most delicious preserved foods, always begin with the best-quality produce at its peak of ripeness.
HAPPY CANNING!
Recipe adapted from Ball Mason Jars. Original content and inspiration courtesy of their preserving experts.