Homemade Spiced Pear Butter

Earlier this week, I had the fun chance to go pear picking in Franklin with the kids I occasionally babysit. Their friends own some pear trees and have more than enough to go around, so they let us have as many as we wanted for free. I got so excited because my favorite pie of all time is Cheddar Pear Pie, which come to think of it, I'll have to share that recipe with you all when I make it! But first I wanted to try my hand at Spiced Pear Butter. I love apple butter, especially on cottage cheese, so I figured I would love pear butter too.

Here's how I made it: (I doubled this recipe so I could give some to my neighbors)
Ingredients: 6 cups of Pears (Chopped & Peeled), 1/2 cup Apple Cider, 3/4 or 1 Cup Sugar, 3/4 teaspoon ground Cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon Cardamom, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract.

Directions: Place pears and juice in a large sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Next, place mixture in the blender and process until smooth. Combine puree mixture, sugar, cardamom & cinnamon in a pan and bring again to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 55 minutes, uncovered & stirring frequently. Stir in Vanilla and cool. Keep butter in an airtight container. It will keep for up to two months in the refrigerator.

Tip: If you don't want your pear butter too sweet, I suggest lowering the amount of sugar. I personally think the next time I make it, I will only use 1/2 cup. This time I used 3/4 cup.

The aroma the spices and pears gave off while simmering was amazing. It totally made me all the more excited for Autumn! Enjoy! ♥, mK