Caramel Spice Pear Butter

If you like making home-made preserves, then this easy to prepare Pear Butter is just for you. I found this recipe in an old Home Canning book many years ago and have been making batches every year. There's extra flavor richness in this pear butter that is contributed by the spices and some caramelized sugar. Enjoy!

• Ready In: 1 hr 50 mins
• Yields: 9 half pints

Ingredients

• 15  bartlett pears
• 2  cups water
• 6  cups sugar
• 1  teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2  tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

1. Wash the pears but do not peel or core them; slice pears into a heavy saucepan (at least 5-quart size).
2. Add water, cover, and cook until tender (about 30 minutes).
3. Remove from heat and press the pears through a colander or a food mill.
4. Measure the pear pulp (you should have about 8 cups) and return to the pan.
5. Using a frying pan, heat 1 1/2 cups of the sugar, stirring until it melts and caramelizes to a medium brown color.
6. Pour immediately into the pear pulp (the syrup will sizzle and harden, but dissolve again as the preserves cook).
7. Add the remaining sugar, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger.
8. Cook uncovered, until thick (about 45 minutes).
9. Stir frequently as it begins to thicken to prevent it from sticking.
10. Stir in lemon juice just before removing it from heat.
11. Pour hot mixture into steralized 1/2 pint jars, put on lid, and crew band tightly.
12. Process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes.