Pear Vanilla Butter: A Sweet, Spiced Spread for Every Occasion Recipe
Pear Vanilla Butter is a luscious, sweet-spiced spread made from ripe pears infused with vanilla and warm cinnamon. This versatile butter is perfect for spreading on toast, swirled into yogurt, or as a delightful addition to desserts. With a smooth texture and balanced sweetness, it’s a cozy treat for every occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: About 1.5 cups 1x
- Category: Spread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Flavorings
- 2 lbs (about 4 cups) ripe pears, peeled and diced
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Sweetener and Spice
- ½ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a pot, mix the diced pears, granulated sugar, split and scraped vanilla bean (or vanilla extract), lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and ¼ cup water. This combination will build the base flavor for your pear vanilla butter.
- Simmer Pears: Place the pot over medium-low heat and let the mixture simmer for 30–40 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to ensure the pears soften evenly, transforming them into a tender, fragrant mixture.
- Remove Vanilla Bean and Blend: If you used a vanilla bean pod, take it out now to prevent any gritty texture. Then, blend the pear mixture until it’s completely smooth, creating that creamy butter consistency.
- Thicken the Butter: Return the blended mixture to low heat and cook for an additional 20–30 minutes. Stir frequently as it thickens into a spreadable, jam-like texture.
- Cool and Store: Let the pear vanilla butter cool completely. Transfer it into sterilized jars, then refrigerate for immediate use or freeze for long-term storage. The spread will keep well and become a staple in your kitchen.
Notes
- Texture Tip: For an extra smooth finish, strain the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before the final cooking step to remove any remaining solids.
- Vanilla Hack: Don’t discard the used vanilla bean pod; dry it and use it to make vanilla sugar for baking and beverages.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom during cooking to enhance complexity and warmth.
- Sugar Swap: Substitute granulated sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different, natural flavor profile.
- Canning: For shelf-stable storage, process jars in a water bath canner for 10 minutes following safe canning practices.
Keywords: pear butter, vanilla spread, pear vanilla butter, fruit spread, fall recipes, homemade jam, spiced spread
