Warmly spiced and gently sweet, this easy pear butter is perfect on biscuits, dinner rolls, or pancakes.

Whether you make it in an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stove, this pear butter is simple and delicious.

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I love preserving the flavors of the season, and in autumn I move from apples to pears and then to pumpkin. Fruit butters are a favorite way to use up the harvest, and pear butter is a sweet, spiced spread that freezes or jars beautifully.

I started with apple butter years ago and experimented with slow cooker and Instant Pot methods; this pear butter follows the same simple philosophy—ripe fruit, sugar, warming spices, and a little lemon to brighten the flavor.

This pear butter strikes a lovely balance of mild sweetness and cozy spice. Spread it on warm biscuits, swirl it into yogurt, or top pancakes for an easy seasonal touch.

More delicious uses for fresh pears:

• Pear bread
• Pear jam
• Pear bundt cake
• Pear banana cake
• Pear streusel muffins
• Pear cobbler
• Old-fashioned pear cake
• Pear and apple sauce
• Fresh pear coffee cake

Easy Homemade Pear Butter

This pear butter is incredibly versatile. It’s a great way to use ripe pears and keeps well in the fridge or freezer. Use it on freshly baked rolls, pancakes, or stirred into oatmeal or yogurt. You can also substitute it for apple butter in breads, cookies, or cakes.

Ripe pears cook down with brown sugar, a touch of lemon juice, and warm spices until thick and spreadable. The lemon is worth including—it brightens the overall flavor.

If you want to combine fruits, pear-apple butter or peach butter are easy variations when you have extra fruit on hand.

How to Make Pear Butter

Whether you’re using pears from your tree or store-bought fruit, this recipe is straightforward. Below are basic steps and the three common cooking methods: Instant Pot, slow cooker, and stove top.

Ingredients

• Fresh pears
• Brown sugar
• Water
• Lemon juice
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground allspice
• Ground ginger
• Ground cloves (pinch)
• Ground cardamom (optional)

Basic Method

(Full printable recipe details follow in the recipe card below.)

1. Prep the pears. Peel, core, and chop the pears. Use ripe fruit for the best sweetness and texture—Bartlett pears that yield slightly when pressed are ideal. Avoid very hard, green pears if possible.

2. Combine the ingredients. Place the pears, brown sugar, water, lemon juice, and spices into your chosen cooking vessel—Instant Pot insert, slow cooker, or medium saucepan. Stir to coat the fruit evenly.

3. Cook until thickened. Cook the mixture until the liquid reduces and the pears break down and thicken. Times vary by method (see recipe card for specifics). If you use the Instant Pot, you can finish by sautéing a bit to evaporate extra moisture.

After cooking, the pears will be soft and fragrant—ready to be pureed or mashed to your preferred texture.

4. Puree. Use an immersion blender for a smooth spread, or a potato masher for a chunkier texture. If the butter seems too thin, simmer it longer until it reaches the consistency you like.

5. Jar and store. Transfer the pear butter to clean jars and let cool. Store in the refrigerator for short-term use, or freeze in freezer-safe containers. Wipe jar rims before sealing. For shelf-stable preservation, follow tested water-bath canning guidelines if you choose to can.

This spread is wonderful on dinner rolls, English muffins, biscuits, pancakes, and more.

Notes and Variations

• Cardamom adds a lovely floral note but is optional.
• Adjust the brown sugar amount to match pear sweetness—very ripe fruit may need less sugar.
• Bartlett pears work well, but Bosc, D’Anjou, or Asian pears are good alternatives.
• If you prefer not to can, refrigerate or freeze the pear butter. Allow it to cool before freezing and leave headspace for expansion.

Yield: Approx. 2–2.5 cups

Easy Pear Butter Recipe

Spiced pear butter makes a cozy topping for pancakes, rolls, or biscuits. Use the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or stove top—pick the method that fits your kitchen.

Prep Time
5 minutes

Cook Time
20 minutes

Additional Time
30 minutes

Total Time
55 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 lbs pears, peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 TBSP lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• pinch of ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (optional)

Instructions

Instant Pot Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot insert and stir to coat the pears with sugar and spices.
2. Close the lid and set the vent to sealed. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, then perform a quick release.
3. Carefully open the lid and puree the mixture with an immersion blender. Use the Sauté function to simmer the pear butter about 20 minutes to reduce excess liquid, if needed.
4. Transfer to jars and allow to cool.

Slow Cooker Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and close the lid.
2. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6–8 hours, until the pears are very soft.
3. Puree with an immersion blender or mash to your preferred texture.
4. Transfer to jars and allow to cool.

Stove Top Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low.
2. Partially cover and simmer 50–60 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until the mixture thickens.
3. Puree with an immersion blender or mash to your desired consistency.
4. Transfer to jars and allow to cool.

Notes

• If you plan to can pear butter for shelf-stable storage, follow trusted water-bath canning guidelines and tested recipes for safe processing times.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size:

2 TBSP

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 51
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 2mg
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 10g

Nutrition information is an estimate and not guaranteed accurate.