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Home » Recipes » Sauces and Spreads

By Kaleigh McMordie - January 5, 2018, Updated July 15, 2022

Slow Cooker Vanilla Bean Pear Butter

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pinterest image with text overlay for slow cooker vanilla bean pear butter.

Naturally sweetened slow cooker vanilla bean pear butter is the perfect way to use up a bunch of pears! It's easy, low sugar and delicious with everything from oatmeal to pancakes to cheese platters. Includes canning instructions and a no added sugar option. (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free)

glass jar of vanilla bean pear butter with a gold spoon in it and green pears in the background.

Does anyone else ever go to the store and buy entirely too much produce when it's a good price? I tend to do that a little too often, especially when I know it's something that won't be on sale again anytime soon. One of my favorites? PEARS! I may or may not have a slight pear obsession.

No worries though, my pears never go to waste. If I end up with too many, I end up preserving them so I can enjoy them year-round in the form of this slow cooker vanilla bean pear butter!

Naturally sweetened slow cooker vanilla bean pear butter is the perfect way to use up a bunch of pears! It's easy, low sugar and delicious with everything from oatmeal and pancakes to pork loin and cheese platters. (Includes canning instructions.) gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free

Why You'll Love This Vanilla Bean Pear Butter

Holy moly, you guys. This stuff is heavenly. I've been putting it on my oatmeal on these freezing mornings lately (and also possibly eating it by the spoonful). It's that good. It's made with just a few simple, healthy ingredients. In my opinion, it doesn't need any added sweetener. And it's so incredibly easy to make with very little hands-on time!

How To Make Slow Cooker Vanilla Bean Pear Butter

four image collage showing steps to making vanilla bean pear butter in the slow cooker and blender.
  1. Peel, core and cut up your pears.
  2. Cook them in the slow cooker for a few hours with vanilla beans, orange juice, water and honey or maple syrup if you're using it.
  3. Puree, pour into jars and store!

Tips For Making and Storing Pear Butter

  • For a no added sugar option, omit the honey or maple syrup.
  • For vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey.
  • I love using vanilla bean paste (a life-saver if you use vanilla beans often). It takes all the work out of getting those little beans out of the pods.
  • Test pears as about 3 hours. If they mash easily, they're ready. If not, keep cooking until they are soft.
  • For canning instructions, see the recipe card below.
  • If you aren't canning, store pear butter in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
close up overhead view of vanilla bean pear butter in a glass jar.

More Pear Recipes You'll Love

  • Easy Cinnamon Sautéed Pears
  • Pear Pecan Cardamom Muffins
  • Pear Gruyere Puff Pastry Tart
  • Maple Poached Pears and Sorghum Breakfast Porridge

If you don't have a pear obsession now, you will after you try this pear butter. #sorrynotsorry.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!

Print

Slow Cooker Vanilla Bean Pear Butter

vanilla bean pear butter in a glass jar with a gold spoon in it.
Print Recipe

Naturally sweetened slow cooker vanilla bean pear butter is the perfect way to use up a bunch of pears! It's easy, low sugar and delicious with everything from oatmeal to pancakes to cheese platters. Includes canning instructions and a no added sugar option. (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free)

  • Author: Kaleigh
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: about 2 ½ cups 1x
  • Category: spread
  • Method: slow cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups pears, peeled, cored and cubed (about 4 medium pears)
  • 2 tbsp orange juice (freshly squeezed or bottled)
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1-2 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, optional
  • Beans from 1 vanilla bean pod, scraped out (or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste)

Instructions

  1. Peel and core pears. Cut into ½-inch cubes.
  2. Place pears in a slow cooker with remaining ingredients.
  3. Cook on low 3-5 hours, depending ripeness of pears and how hot your low setting is.
  4. Remove vanilla bean if it is in the slow cooker. Mash pears with a potato masher or food meal, or place in a blender and blend until smooth.
  5. Pour into jars and refrigerate or freeze, or follow canning instructions below.

To Can Pear Butter:

  1. Sanitize jars and lids. Pour hot pear butter into hot jars, leaving ½ inch head space. Lightly tap jars on the counter or place a wooden skewer into the jar and move around the edge to remove any air bubbles.
  2. Wipe rims with a clean cloth soaked in vinegar. Place lids on jars and screw bands on until finger-tight.
  3. Process in a water bath for 20 minutes. Remove jars and place on a towel on the counter to cool. Place any jars that do not seal in the refrigerator immediately.
  4. Canned pear butter will last up to 6 months in a cool, dark place.

Notes

  • For a no added sugar option, omit the honey or maple syrup.
  • For vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey.
  • Test pears as about 3 hours. If they mash easily, they're ready. If not, keep cooking until they are soft.

Keywords: vanilla bean pear butter, slow cooker pear butter

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @livelytable on Instagram and hashtag it #livelytable

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About Kaleigh McMordie

Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian in Abilene, Texas, as well as a member of the Baby Led Weaning Dietitians Network. Kaleigh can be found at kaleighmcmordie.com.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Noyemi says

    December 20, 2020 at 6:47 pm

    Can you change the orange juice for water or pear juice???

    Reply
    • Kaleigh says

      December 21, 2020 at 7:10 am

      Yes!

      Reply
  2. Jaime Allen says

    September 24, 2020 at 6:00 pm

    Could you make this with apples, instead?

    Reply
    • Kaleigh says

      September 25, 2020 at 1:04 pm

      Hi Jaime, I haven't ever tried it with apples so I can't say for sure, but I bet it would work!

      Reply
  3. Chelsea says

    January 05, 2018 at 1:35 pm

    This looks positively amazing! What a great way to use up pears that might be a little past their prime. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kaleigh says

      January 06, 2018 at 11:33 am

      Thanks Chelsea!

      Reply

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