Description
Pear Honey is a delightful fruit spread made from ripe pears and crushed pineapple, sweetened with sugar and brightened with lemon juice. This naturally sweet and silky-textured condiment is perfect for spreading on toast, biscuits, or serving alongside cheese. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and can be refrigerated or canned for longer storage.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Mixture
- 8 cups peeled, cored, and finely chopped ripe pears (about 6–8 medium)
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice (undrained)
- ¼ cup lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
Sweetener
- 6 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- Prepare Fruit Mixture: In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, combine the chopped pears, crushed pineapple with juice, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring often to prevent sticking.
- Simmer and Soften: Reduce the heat and let the fruit mixture simmer for 10–15 minutes until the pears become very soft, stirring occasionally to maintain even cooking.
- Mash the Fruit: Use a potato masher or an immersion blender to lightly mash the cooked fruit mixture, leaving some small pear chunks to provide texture in the final spread.
- Add Sugar: Stir in the granulated sugar until it is fully dissolved into the fruit mixture.
- Boil to Thicken: Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Continue boiling for 30–40 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning, until the spread thickens to a jam-like consistency.
- Cool and Store: Remove the pot from heat and let the pear honey cool slightly. Pour the spread into sterilized jars. Refrigerate for immediate use or process the jars in a water bath canner for 10 minutes to create shelf-stable preserves.
Notes
- Pear honey is a fruit spread and contains no actual honey, just natural sweetness from fruit and sugar.
- Its silky texture and fruity flavor make it delicious on biscuits, toast, or paired with cheese.
- Store refrigerated pear honey for up to 3 weeks or canned jars for up to 1 year.
