This recipe for honey pear jam offers a delightful way to capture the natural sweetness of ripe pears, enhanced by the subtle floral notes of honey. It’s a wonderfully versatile preserve, perfect for spreading on toast, slathering on scones, or even as a unique glaze for roasted meats. Discover just how easy it is to create this pantry staple!
Key Ingredients for Honey Pear Jam
- 2 pounds ripe pears (such as Bartlett, Anjou, or Bosc), peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
- 1 ½ cups honey
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Honey Pear Jam
Whipping up this delightful honey pear jam is surprisingly simple, yielding a spread that’s both comforting and sophisticated. The process is straightforward, focusing on bringing out the natural sweetness of the pears and infusing them with warming spices, all complemented by the richness of honey. Expect to spend around 15 minutes of active preparation time, with about 45-60 minutes of simmering. It’s a truly satisfying way to preserve the season’s bounty.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Pears: Begin by peeling, coring, and roughly chopping your ripe pears. Aim for pieces that are about ½ inch in size. The riper the pears, the quicker they will break down and the more natural pectin they will release, which helps the jam set.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the chopped pears, honey, fresh lemon juice, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
- Initial Simmer: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir all the ingredients together until well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Breaking Down the Pears: Once simmering, reduce the heat to low. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for about 30-40 minutes, or until the pears have softened considerably and started to break down. You can mash some of the pear pieces with the back of your spoon if you prefer a smoother jam.
- Thickening the Jam: Increase the heat slightly to medium-low and continue to simmer, stirring more frequently to prevent sticking. Cook for another 20-30 minutes, or until the jam has thickened to your desired consistency. To test for doneness, place a small plate in the freezer before you start cooking. Spoon a little bit of the jam onto the cold plate, let it sit for a minute, then gently push it with your finger. If the surface wrinkles and the jam holds its shape, it’s ready.
- Jarring (Optional but recommended for preservation): While the jam is still hot, carefully ladle it into clean, sterilized jars. Leave about ¼ inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a damp cloth and secure the lids. For longer-term storage, you can process the jars in a boiling water bath according to standard canning instructions. If not canning, let the jars cool completely before refrigerating.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Pear Jam
You’ll absolutely adore this honey pear jam because it perfectly balances the delicate sweetness of ripe pears with the warm embrace of honey and spices, creating a flavor profile that’s both comforting and exquisitely nuanced. Unlike store-bought preserves that can sometimes taste overly artificial, this homemade version offers a rich, nuanced taste that’s a true celebration of natural ingredients, making it a delightful comparison to traditional apple butter but with a distinctly pear-forward elegance. Plus, by making it yourself, you’ll save money while enjoying a gourmet spread that elevates everyday meals from simple toast to elegant appetizers.
This incredibly versatile jam is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even adding a touch of sweetness to savory dishes. Imagine a dollop of this shimmering preserve on a cheese board, or as a secret ingredient in your next roast chicken glaze – the possibilities are delightful! Gather your ingredients and give this easy and rewarding honey pear jam recipe a try this week; your taste buds will thank you for the sweet, homemade goodness.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing your delicious honey pear jam ensures its freshness and delightful flavor for weeks to come.
- Refrigeration: Once cooled, store the honey pear jam in clean, airtight jars in the refrigerator. It will typically stay fresh for up to 3-4 weeks when kept chilled. Ensure the jam is fully cooled before sealing the jars to prevent condensation.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze your honey pear jam. Ladle the cooled jam into freezer-safe containers or jars, leaving about ½ inch of headspace to allow for expansion. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months to a year. Thaw frozen jam overnight in the refrigerator before using.
- Reheating (if applicable): If your jam has become very firm in the refrigerator due to its natural pectin content, you can gently warm a small portion in a saucepan over low heat until it reaches a spreadable consistency. Stir constantly to avoid scorching. This is rarely necessary with this recipe, as it typically remains wonderfully spreadable.
Final Thoughts
This honey pear jam recipe is a wonderfully rewarding way to enjoy the delicate sweetness of pears, enhanced by the natural goodness of honey. It’s a simple, delicious preserve that brings a touch of homemade charm to any occasion, so gather your ingredients and give it a whirl!
Read more also:
- Strawberry Vanilla Bean Jam Recipe
- No-Sugar Added Strawberry Jam
- Peach and Lavender Jam
- Canning Fruit Syrups Homemade Recipe
- Our Pinterest
Honey Pear Jam
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by peeling, cashing, and roughly chopping your ripe pears. Aim for pieces that are about ½ inch in size. The riper the pears, the quicker they will break down and the more natural pectin they will release, which helps the jam set.2 pounds ripe pears
- In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the chopped pears, honey, fresh lemon juice, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.2 pounds ripe pears, 1 ½ cups honey, 1 lemon, juiced, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, Pinch salt
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir all the ingredients together until well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Once simmering, reduce the heat to low. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for about 30-40 minutes, or until the pears have softened considerably and started to break down. You can mash some of the pear pieces with the back of your spoon if you prefer a smoother jam.
- Increase the heat slightly to medium-low and continue to simmer, stirring more frequently to prevent sticking. Cook for another 20-30 minutes, or until the jam has thickened to your desired consistency. To test for doneness, place a small plate in the freezer before you start cooking. Spoon a little bit of the jam onto the cold plate, let it sit for a minute, then gently push it with your finger. If the surface wrinkles and the jam holds its shape, it’s ready.
- While the jam is still hot, carefully ladle it into clean, sterilized jars. Leave about ¼ inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a damp cloth and secure the lids. For longer-term storage, you can process the jars in a boiling water bath according to standard canning instructions. If not canning, let the jars cool completely before refrigerating.