Salted Caramel Pear Butter ~ Home Canning ~ How To Make Pear Butter
Salted Caramel Pear Butter ~ Home Canning ~ How To Make Pear Butter is a medium American recipe that serves 4. 120 calories per serving. Recipe by Carol - Thrifty Chic Housewife on YouTube.
Prep: 35 min | Cook: 4 hrs 50 min | Total: 5 hrs 45 min
Cost: $17.95 total, $4.49 per serving
Ingredients
- 4 lb Pears (peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped; use very ripe or overripe varieties such as Bartlett)
- 0.33 cup Apple Cider (unsweetened)
- 2 tbsp Bottled Lemon Juice (adds safety buffer and balances sweetness)
- 2.5 cup Dark Brown Sugar (packed; provides caramel flavor)
- 2 tsp Sea Salt (coarse; adjust to taste, may add extra ½ tsp)
Instructions
Prepare the Pears
Peel, core, and coarsely chop 4 lb of ripe pears.
Time: PT20M
Cook Pears in the Slow Cooker
Place the chopped pears in a 4‑quart slow cooker. Add 1/3 cup apple cider and 2 tbsp bottled lemon juice. Cover and set to HIGH for 40 minutes to 1 hour, until the pears are very soft.
Time: PT1H
Temperature: High (≈200°F)
Puree the Cooked Pears
Using an immersion blender (or food processor), blend the softened pears until completely smooth.
Time: PT10M
Add Sugar and Salt
Stir in 2 ½ cups packed dark brown sugar and 2 tsp coarse sea salt until fully dissolved.
Time: PT5M
Cook the Butter to Caramelize
Replace the lid with a diagonal placement (allowing steam to escape). Continue cooking on HIGH, stirring every 30 minutes, for 3 to 4 hours until the mixture is dark, thick, and holds a mound when a spoonful is lifted.
Time: PT3H30M
Temperature: High (≈200°F)
Taste and Adjust Salt
Remove a small spoonful, let it cool, then taste. Add more sea salt (up to ½ tsp) if a stronger salted‑caramel flavor is desired.
Time: PT5M
Prepare Jars and Lids
Wash the 8 oz jars and lids in hot, soapy water. Keep jars hot in the simmering water of the canner; wipe rims with a paper towel dipped in white vinegar.
Time: PT15M
Fill Jars
Ladle the hot pear butter into each jar, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
Time: PT10M
Remove Air Bubbles
Insert a plastic butter knife, chopstick, or bubble‑remover tool around the inside of each jar to release trapped air.
Time: PT5M
Seal Jars
Wipe rims again with the vinegar‑dipped paper towel, place lids on, and screw bands on fingertip‑tight.
Time: PT5M
Process in Water‑Bath Canner
Place jars in a steam canner or large pot with a rack. Add enough simmering water to cover jars by 1 inch. Bring to a full rolling boil and process for 15 minutes, maintaining the boil.
Time: PT20M
Temperature: Boiling
Cool and Store
Turn off heat, let jars sit in the water for 5 minutes, then remove and place on a towel to cool completely (12‑24 hours).
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 120
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbohydrates
- 30 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Dietary info: Vegan, Gluten‑Free, Dairy‑Free
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Pears: Asian pears, other firm pears
- Instead of Apple Cider: Apple juice
- Instead of Bottled Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice (1 tbsp lemon juice + 1 tsp water)
- Instead of Dark Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar, Coconut sugar
- Instead of Sea Salt: Kosher salt, Fleur de sel, Himalayan pink salt
Equipment Needed
- 4‑quart Slow Cooker
- Immersion Blender
- Ladle
- Ball Half‑Pint (8 oz) Canning Jars
- Canning Lids and Bands
- Steam Canner or Large Pot with Rack
- Plastic Butter Knife or Chopstick
- Paper Towel
- White Vinegar
- Timer
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Prepare the Pears
- Cook Pears in the Slow Cooker
- Cook the Butter to Caramelize
- Prepare Jars and Lids
- Fill Jars
- Seal Jars
- Process in Water‑Bath Canner
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use overripe pears for natural sweetness; they break down faster.
- Dark brown sugar gives a deeper caramel flavor than light brown sugar.
- Adjust the final salt level after the long cook; the flavor concentrates.
- A heat‑resistant silicone spatula makes stirring the thick butter easier.
Troubleshooting
Butter is too runny after the final cook.
Continue cooking on HIGH, stirring every 15 minutes, until it reaches a thick, mound‑holding consistency.
Burnt spots on the bottom of the slow cooker.
Stir more frequently and lower the heat to MEDIUM for the last hour; use a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom.
Jars did not seal properly.
Make sure rims are clean and wet with vinegar, bands are fingertip‑tight, and processing time is exactly 15 minutes at a rolling boil.
Storage
Refrigerator: After opening, store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Freezer: Unopened sealed jars can be frozen for up to 6 months; thaw in refrigerator before use.
Room temperature: Store sealed jars in a cool, dark pantry for up to 12 months.
Make-Ahead Tips
- The butter can be made up to a week ahead, cooled, and stored in the refrigerator before filling jars.
- If you need to freeze, portion the hot butter into freezer‑safe bags, label, and freeze; thaw before canning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of salted caramel pear butter in American holiday canning traditions?
Fruit butters have been a staple of American winter preserving for generations, providing a sweet, shelf‑stable spread for toast and biscuits during the holidays. Adding caramel and salt is a modern twist that reflects contemporary flavor trends while still honoring the tradition of gifting homemade preserves.
What are the traditional regional variations of pear butter in the United States?
In the Northeast, pear butter is often made with simple sugar and spices like cinnamon. In the Midwest, cooks sometimes add a splash of bourbon. The salted caramel version popularized by Ball’s recipe adds dark brown sugar and sea salt for a richer, dessert‑like profile.
How is salted caramel pear butter traditionally served in American holiday gatherings?
It is typically served as a spread on fresh bread, biscuits, or scones, and paired with cheese plates. Many families also use it as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or even as a glaze for roasted meats during festive meals.
What occasions or celebrations is salted caramel pear butter traditionally associated with in American culture?
The preserve is a popular gift for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s celebrations. It is also common at pot‑luck holiday parties and as a hostess gift during winter gatherings.
How does salted caramel pear butter fit into the broader American preserve cuisine?
It sits alongside classic apple butter, pumpkin butter, and fruit jams as a shelf‑stable spread that showcases seasonal fruit. The addition of caramel and salt reflects the American love for sweet‑salty flavor combinations.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for salted caramel pear butter versus acceptable substitutes?
The authentic recipe uses ripe pears, apple cider, dark brown sugar, sea or kosher salt, and bottled lemon juice. Acceptable substitutes include fresh lemon juice (with a splash of water), light brown sugar, or other coarse salts like fleur de sel.
What other American dishes pair well with salted caramel pear butter?
It pairs beautifully with sharp cheddar cheese, roasted pork tenderloin, oatmeal breakfast bowls, and as a swirl in vanilla ice cream. It also complements spiced pumpkin bread or cornbread.
What makes salted caramel pear butter special or unique in American fruit preserve cuisine?
The combination of dark brown sugar caramelization and a pinch of coarse sea salt creates a deep, buttery flavor that is richer than standard pear butter, offering a sophisticated sweet‑salty balance that stands out on holiday tables.
How has salted caramel pear butter evolved over time in American home canning?
Originally, pear butter was a simple sweet spread. Over the past decade, home canners have experimented with caramelizing sugars and adding salts, influenced by gourmet dessert trends, leading to the modern salted caramel version featured in Ball’s recipe.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making salted caramel pear butter at home?
Common errors include under‑cooking the butter so it stays runny, not stirring enough which can cause scorching, and forgetting to leave proper headspace which can lead to seal failures. Also, using unripe pears will extend cooking time and result in a less sweet butter.
Why does this salted caramel pear butter recipe use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon juice?
Bottled lemon juice provides a consistent acidity level that helps balance the sweetness and adds a safety margin against potential bacterial growth. Fresh lemon juice can vary in acidity, so the recipe recommends the bottled version for reliability.
Can I make salted caramel pear butter ahead of time and how should I store it before canning?
Yes, you can prepare the butter a day ahead. Keep it hot in the slow cooker or transfer to a heat‑proof container and refrigerate. Before canning, reheat gently to a simmering temperature to ensure a proper seal.
What texture and appearance should I look for to know the salted caramel pear butter is done?
The butter should be dark amber, thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, and when lifted from heat it should form a distinct mound that holds its shape for a few seconds before slowly spreading.
How do I know when the water‑bath processing time for salted caramel pear butter is complete?
Start timing once the water returns to a full rolling boil after the jars are added. Process for exactly 15 minutes, then turn off the heat and let the jars sit in the water for an additional 5 minutes before removing.
What does the YouTube channel Carol - Thrifty Chic Housewife specialize in?
Carol - Thrifty Chic Housewife focuses on budget‑friendly home cooking, seasonal recipes, and DIY food preservation techniques, especially holiday canning projects that make great gifts.
How does the YouTube channel Carol - Thrifty Chic Housewife's approach to holiday canning differ from other cooking channels?
Carol emphasizes small‑batch, affordable canning using everyday kitchen equipment like a slow cooker, and she provides detailed safety tips and cost breakdowns, whereas many channels focus on large‑scale or specialty equipment.
Last updated: November 1, 2026
