Description
A simple, foolproof recipe for spiced pear preserves using just four main ingredients. This cozy, amber-colored jam is perfect for toast, yogurt, or cheese boards and can be made with imperfect fruit.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–5 medium pears (about 2 lbs / 900g), cored and chopped into half-inch cubes
- ½ cup granulated white sugar (100g)
- 1 whole vanilla bean, seeds scraped and pod added
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (15ml)
Instructions
- Wash, core, and chop the pears into half-inch cubes.
- Slice the vanilla bean lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and add both the seeds and the pod to a large heavy-bottomed pot.
- Add the chopped pears, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and lemon juice to the pot. Stir well to coat the pears.
- Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to draw out juices.
- Place the pot over medium-low heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally (every 5 minutes) for 20-30 minutes until the pears are soft and the mixture has thickened to a jammy consistency.
- Remove the vanilla pod.
- Optional: Use a blender or immersion blender to smooth the preserves if desired.
- Let the preserves cool to room temperature, where they will thicken further.
- Transfer to airtight jars or containers and refrigerate.
Notes
This recipe is designed for refrigerator storage and keeps for up to 3 weeks. It is not intended for long-term shelf-stable canning without adjusting sugar and acid levels. Use ripe pears for best results. If the preserves are too runny, cook longer; if too sweet, add more lemon juice or a pinch of salt.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Condiments
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 9
- Carbohydrates: 11
- Fiber: 1
Keywords: pear preserves, spiced pear jam, homemade jam, easy preserves, vanilla pear jam, gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, fruit spread