4lbspearsBartlett, Bosc, or Anjou all work, peeled, cored, and quartered
½cupmaple sugar
2Tbspunsalted buttermelted (for roasting)
1tspcardamomground or 6–8 whole pods lightly crushed, removed later
1tspcinnamonground or a few cinnamon sticks
1orange zest
½tspsea salt
3tbsporange juice
2tbspunsalted butterfor browning and finishing
1tspvanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment.
Peel, core, and quarter 4 lb pears. Pat dry (helps them caramelize).
Toss pears with ½ cup coconut or maple sugar, 2 Tbsp melted butter, and ½ tsp fine salt.
Spread in a single layer, cut sides down.
Roast 25–35 min, flipping once, until edges are caramelized and pears are very tender.
Scrape all pan juices + browned bits into a Dutch oven or deep saucepan (flavor gold).
Transfer pears to the pot. Add zest of 1 orange, 1 tsp ground cardamom (and 1 tsp cinnamon if using).
Blend with an immersion blender until silky. (Or vent a countertop blender and puree in batches, then return to pot.)
Stovetop: Simmer on low, partially covered with a splatter guard, stirring every 5–10 min, 25–40 min.
Low-oven method (no scorching): Spread puree in a Dutch oven, bake at 250°F (120°C), stirring every 30 min, 60–120 min.
Add 2–3 Tbsp orange juice as needed to keep it moving; goal is thick, glossy, and mound-able.
In a small skillet, melt 2 Tbsp butter over medium heat. Cook until milk solids turn deep amber and it smells nutty.
Immediately stir the browned butter into the pear butter. (Add 1 tsp vanilla paste now if using.)
Need a touch more sweetness? Stir in 1–2 Tbsp more coconut/maple sugar.
Pinch more salt brightens everything; a squeeze of orange juice lifts it.
Notes
Roast for flavor - don’t rush the roasting step. Roasting will make this pear butter taste deep and complex instead of just “sweet purée.” Low and slow - when cooking it down, keep the heat gentle. High heat scorches fruit butters fast (and once it tastes burnt, there’s no saving it). Adjust sweetness at the end - pears vary greatly in natural sugar, so taste once it’s thickened and add more sugar if needed.