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Pioneer Woman Pear Butter Recipe — soft, spiced, fall-in-a-jar kinda vibe. sweet pears cooked down with orange zest and a little nutmeg. it spreads like a dream. it’s easy. cheap. and makes your kitchen smell like you actually know what you’re doing.

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Ingredients Needed

4 pounds medium pears – quartered, cored. no need to peel.
½ cup water – just enough to steam them down.
2 cups sugar – yeah, it’s a sweet spread.
1 teaspoon grated orange zest – use a real orange.
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg – subtle warmth.
¼ cup orange juice – again, fresh if you can.

How To Make Pioneer Woman Pear Butter

Cook the Pears:
Toss pears in a big pot with that water. Simmer for like 30 mins. Lid on. Stir here and there. They should go soft — like mashable soft.
Mash ‘Em:
Use a food mill or press through a sieve. You want pulp, not chunks. Get about 2 quarts.
Make the Butter:
Move pulp to a new pot. Stir in sugar, zest, nutmeg, orange juice. Low heat. Stir often. It’ll bubble and thicken for about an hour. Don’t walk away. It burns fast.
Can It (or Don’t):
You can ladle hot pear butter into sterile jars. Leave a bit of space at the top. Bubble check with a spatula. Wipe rims. Seal. Boil in water bath for 10 mins. Or just skip this and keep it in the fridge.

Recipe Tips

Use ripe-but-not-overripe pears. Too soft = watery mess.
Stir. Constantly. Burnt pear butter smells like sadness.
Cold spoon test: if it holds a shape, it’s done.
Fresh zest + juice matter. don’t use bottled.

How to Store & Reheat

Room Temperature: only if canned properly.
Fridge: up to 3 weeks in airtight jar.
Freezer: 6 months. leave space at the top of the container.

Nutrition Facts (Approx. per serving)

Calories: 35
Sodium: 10mg
Protein: 0g
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 8g
Fibre: 0g
Sugar: 6g

FAQs

Can I skip the orange juice?

You could. But it won’t have that citrusy depth. Up to you.

Do I have to can it?

Nope. Just keep it in the fridge. Eat it sooner.

Can I use brown sugar instead?

Yep. Adds more caramel-y flavor. Good switch.

Can I add cinnamon?

Totally. Start with 1/2 tsp and taste as you go.

Can I blend instead of sieve?

You can. It’ll be smoother but might have tiny bits. Still good.

Pioneer Woman Pear Butter Recipe

Recipe by Marry ThompsonCourse: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

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Cooking time

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Calories

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Sweet, thick pear butter with warm spice and citrus — spreads like gold on toast.

Ingredients

4 pounds medium pears
½ cup water
2 cups sugar
1 tsp grated orange zest
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ cup orange juice

Directions

Cook pears with water until soft.
Mash through food mill or sieve to make pulp.
Combine pulp with sugar, zest, nutmeg, and juice.
Simmer for 1 hour, stirring often.
Pour into jars. Can them or store in fridge.

Notes

Use ripe pears for best flavor and texture.
Stir often — it scorches easily.
Cold spoon test = check thickness.
Sterilize jars well if canning.