Pear Butter

I thought it was high time that I posted about the pear butter. This, and the apple butter is from this site (can you tell I like that blog??) Multiple batches of these became the majority of my Christmas gifts this year!~

For this pear butter, let me introduce you to the Asian Pear...It is bigger and rounder than the average pear, and tastes like a cross between a pear and an apple. A friend introduced me to them this year, and they're definitely a new favorite!

Pear Butter
5 lbs. pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
1/2 c. to 3/4c. unsweetened frozen white grape juice concentrate
3 T. lemon juice
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
4 orange slices
1 T. vanilla

Put pears in a large slow cooker.

Melt 1/2c. grape juice concentrate in the microwave or on stovetop and pour over pears. Add the lemon juice, ginger, and cardamom. Toss with a large wooden spoon to coat the pears. Top with orange slices and vanilla.

Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hrs, until the pears are very tender and have cooked down. Remove the orange slices. Puree with an immersion blender in the crock or transfer the pears to a conventional blender or food processor in small batches and puree. Return to the slow cooker and add the remaining 1/4c. grape juice concentrate for sweetness as needed. If the pear butter isn't thick enough, remove lid and cook on low, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired consistency. It should mound up on a spoon and be spreadable.