After canning and preserving for a little over a year, I felt I was finally ready to start developing my own preserve recipes. Up until now I have altered and modified canning recipes from others far more experienced. Canning takes practice and it always good to start off slow. But after making a couple other fruit butters (Pumpkin Butter and Brandied Apple Butter), I thought I’d try my hand at creating a pear butter recipe. The spice combination really turned out great and the touch of bourbon really helped to open up the pear flavor. I used Bartlett pears but you could try other varieties to get a slightly different taste.
This recipe makes about six 4-ounce jars and can stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Cardamom Pear Butter
Peel, core, and roughly chop pears.
In a dutch oven, or large pot, combine pears and cider. Bring to a full boil over high heat. Then lower the heat and let simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the pears are soft and the mixture is thick.
Use an immersion blender to puree the pears in the pot until the consistency is smooth. Make sure to stop before the mixture gets runny.
Stir in the sugar and spices and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the whole star anise from the mixutre.
Add the bourbon and simmer for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the pear butter is thick and smooth, and the color is slightly darkened.
Ladle pear butter into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space from the rim. Wipe off any excess jam that may have spilled. Apply lids and rings and tighten (fingertip tight).
Process the jars for 10 minutes in boiling water bath.
Now this looks very gourmet! What interesting ingredients you have used. I’ll put this on Pinterest so others can check it out too!
Thanks Thea! Appreciate the pin! 🙂 The ingredients really make for a unique and tasty fruit butter!
Jessica
Yay, the recipe is here! This sounds so delicious, and the dash of rum? Very cool and unexpected. Can’t wait to try this out 🙂
Thanks Caitlin! I really think you’ll enjoy it! 🙂 Looking forward to more of your canning adventures.
Jessica
I love cardamom, and this sounds fantastic.
Thanks!! I’ll be making more this season so will have to make sure you try some. 🙂
Jess
I am so glad I don’t live near you♥ My hips would spread even wider.
Hehe, Oh Laurie! It would sure be fun though! 🙂
Jessica
That sounds delicious, I love fruit butters and spiced like this one, I would just grab a spoon and eat it out of the jar.
Thanks Suzanne! Yeah… it was really hard to get the butter from the dutch oven into the jars. Somehow the ladle just kept wanting to go to my mouth! 😉
Jessica
Loving the cardamom with pears, and just might have to ‘nik’ that combination for a future chocolate cake!
‘Nik’ away Johnny! 🙂 I think the combination would be heavenly with chocolate cake!
Jessica
That does sound delicious and what a great gift for someone special or on toast for a breakfast with someone VERY special. 🙂
Thanks! 🙂 And yes, it does make a great gift. We actually gave them as favors at one of our last parties!
Jessica
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