Crockpot Pear Butter

There’s something beautifully old-fashioned about canning pears on a quiet fall afternoon. I remember the scent of ripe Bartletts filling Grandma’s kitchen as she stood over the stove with her trusty wooden spoon, humming softly and humming along to Patsy Cline. Those moments of slow simmering, clinking jars, and warm spices weren’t just about preserving fruit — they were about preserving love, family, and tradition. Today, I’m bringing that feeling into your home with this easy Crockpot Pear Butter recipe that’s as hands-off as it is heartwarming.

Whether you’re new to canning pears or you’ve been doing it since the days of rotary phones and handwritten recipes, this version is a keeper. It’s simple, deeply spiced, and makes use of your slow cooker — no need to hover or stir all day. Just slice, toss, wait, and savor the reward: silky, spreadable pear butter that captures autumn in every spoonful.

Let’s make memories one bite at a time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’ve ever dreamed of a sweet, spiced spread that tastes like fall in a jar, this is it. This slow cooker recipe makes canning pears downright effortless. You don’t need fancy tools, just patience and a handful of cozy pantry staples.

The slow cooking process brings out the natural sweetness of ripe pears, and the rich aroma of cinnamon and spice fills your kitchen like a warm hug. It’s an easy, satisfying recipe that feels more like a weekend ritual than a chore.

Plus, canning pears this way means you get to enjoy the best of the season all year long. Spoon this luscious pear butter over toast, swirl it into oatmeal, or serve it alongside roasted pork — the options are endless.

And let’s not forget, this recipe is beginner-friendly. If you’ve been nervous about trying water bath canning, don’t worry. I’ll walk you through every step with confidence and clarity.

Ready in about 8 hours (mostly hands-off), this pear butter is perfect for gift-giving, meal prepping, or stocking your pantry with a taste of autumn.

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Ingredient Overview

This Crockpot Pear Butter delivers bold flavor from simple ingredients. Each one plays its part in making canning pears something special and approachable for any home cook.

• Pears (8, about 4 lbs): Bartlett or Anjou varieties work beautifully. Soft and juicy, they break down well and are perfect for slow cooking and canning.

• Bottled Lemon Juice (1 tbsp): A must for safe water bath canning pears — this balances sweetness and preserves freshness.

• Brown Sugar (1 ½ cups): Gives the butter a deep, caramel warmth. You can use light or dark, or even add molasses for extra depth.

• Pumpkin Pie Spice (2 tsp): This blend adds cozy flavor — cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg — that turns fruit into comfort food.

• Salt (¼ tsp): Just a pinch brings all the flavors together.

Styling Tip: When serving your pear butter, try spooning it into small jars and tying twine around the lids for a charming, rustic presentation. It also makes a heartfelt homemade gift!

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1: Prep Your Pears

Start by peeling, coring, and slicing the pears. For the smoothest results when canning pears, cut them into eighths. This helps them cook down faster and blend more easily later. If you go with quarters, just add about an hour of cook time.

Step 2: Toss Everything Into the Crockpot

Place all the pear slices into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the lemon juice, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Stir gently to coat the fruit evenly. One of my favorite things about canning pears this way is how little effort it takes upfront — just dump, stir, and walk away.

Step 3: Let It Simmer Low and Slow

Set your Crockpot on LOW for 7–8 hours (or HIGH for 4–5 hours). Cover with the lid and let the pears soften and release their juices. Stir once halfway through, especially if your slow cooker tends to heat unevenly.
Tip: Your house will smell like autumn magic!

Step 4: Blend to Your Perfect Texture

Once the pears are soft and caramel-hued, it’s time to blend. For silky-smooth pear butter, use an immersion blender directly in the pot (but let it cool for 30 minutes first). You can also use a stand blender in batches, or a potato masher if you like a rustic texture. However you do it, blending is a key moment in canning pears into velvety perfection.

Step 5: Fill Your Jars

Ladle the warm pear butter into sterilized jars. Leave ¼-inch of headspace at the top. This is where canning pears becomes rewarding — you’re sealing up autumn in every single jar.

Step 6: Water Bath Process

Bring a large canning pot to a boil and place a rack at the bottom. Lower the filled jars into the boiling water (use tongs!) and make sure they’re fully submerged. Boil for 10 minutes, then remove carefully and set the jars on a towel to cool.

Step 7: Let Cool and Check the Seal

Leave jars undisturbed for 24 hours. After cooling, check the seal by pressing the center of each lid. If it doesn’t pop back, you’ve successfully finished canning pears at home!

Pro Tips

If you’re new to canning pears, always start with ripe but firm fruit. Overripe pears tend to release too much juice and make the butter watery. Bartletts are classic, but Bosc and Anjou are also wonderful choices.

Use bottled lemon juice, not fresh, when water bath canning. It ensures a consistent acidity level — essential for food safety when canning pears. I know it feels tempting to use fresh lemons, but this is one place to stick with store-bought.

Don’t skip sterilizing your jars! A hot dishwasher cycle works great, or you can submerge them in boiling water for 10 minutes. This small step gives your pear butter shelf life and peace of mind.

For extra flavor depth, try swapping half the brown sugar with maple syrup. The hint of smokiness will make your pear butter irresistible. I do this when I’m gifting jars at the holidays.

Be sure to blend when the mixture is warm, not piping hot. Trust me, I once splattered molten pear butter across the kitchen walls. Lesson learned.

Need more inspiration? Our Pear Preserves Recipe is another cozy favorite if you want to build your canning skills beyond butter.

Variations

You can add vanilla bean paste or a splash of bourbon for a grown-up twist that makes canning pears feel downright gourmet. Stir it in after blending but before filling your jars.

Make it spicy by adding a pinch of cayenne or chopped candied ginger. This adds a little heat to balance the sweetness, especially lovely on a cheese board.

Want it sugar-free? Replace brown sugar with monk fruit or erythritol. Just keep in mind, the texture might be a bit looser. Still delicious.

For a thicker spread, let the pear mixture cook uncovered during the last hour. Stir often to prevent sticking. This is a great trick for making canning pears extra jammy.

And if you love fruit butter as much as I do, our Pear Butter Recipe adds even more cozy flavors and styling ideas to try next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Suggestions

There’s something so satisfying about opening a jar of pear butter in the middle of winter. It’s a reminder that your time spent canning pears wasn’t just productive — it was joyful, too. Try spooning it onto warm toast, fluffy biscuits, or swirled into oatmeal for a cozy morning treat.

For dinner ideas, use pear butter as a glaze for pork tenderloin or roasted chicken. It adds sweetness without overpowering savory flavors. A dab on a grilled cheese sandwich (especially with brie) is pure magic.

And don’t forget the dessert table! Pair your pear butter with pound cake, mix it into yogurt parfaits, or layer it in a fall trifle. It’s also a lovely spread for cheese boards, especially when paired with sharp cheddar or creamy goat cheese.

Need more comforting meal ideas to serve alongside? Try this crowd-pleasing Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie — another slow cooker classic to pair with your pear butter moment.

Conclusion

Canning pears is more than a kitchen task — it’s a seasonal ritual, a way to bottle up warmth, spice, and simplicity. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home canner, this Crockpot Pear Butter recipe makes the process approachable, rewarding, and downright delicious.

By learning how to safely and confidently preserve fruit, you’ll open the door to a whole new world of creativity in the kitchen. Every spoonful of this butter is a reminder that slow food is worth it — and your pantry can be full of stories, not just jars.

If you loved this, you might also enjoy our comforting fall favorite Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler — a sweet follow-up to any cozy canning day.

Want more slow-cooked inspiration, behind-the-scenes tips, and homemade goodness? Let’s connect over on Pinterest — come tag your creations, save what you love, and join our growing food-loving family. Your kitchen adventures inspire mine.

From my kitchen to yours — happy cooking, friends!