Caramel Spice Pear Butter Recipe

How to Make Caramel Spice Pear Butter

1. Wash 2 lbs ripe but firm pears, leaving the peels and cores intact.
2. Slice pears into 1-inch pieces and place in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan.
3. Add 1/2 cup water, cover, and cook over medium heat until pears are very soft (approximately 20-30 minutes), stirring occasionally.
4. Remove from heat and carefully press the cooked pears through a fine-mesh sieve or food mill to remove skins, cores, and seeds. You should have approximately 3 cups of pear puree.
5. Return the pear pulp to the saucepan.
6. In a separate heavy-bottomed skillet, heat 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it melts and turns a medium amber color (about 8-10 minutes). Be careful not to burn it!
7. Carefully pour the caramelized sugar into the pear pulp. Stir to combine.
8. Add 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cloves, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon ground ginger to the pear mixture.
9. Cook over medium-low heat, uncovered, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens to a butter-like consistency (approximately 45-60 minutes). It will be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
10. Stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice just before removing from the heat.
11. Ladle the hot pear butter into sterilized 1/2-pint jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe the rims clean.
12. Securely attach lids and rings to the jars.
13. Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Ensure jars are completely submerged in water.