Slow-cooker pear butter with honey is naturally sweet with no refined sugar! Spread it on toast, swirl into yogurt, or share as a homemade gift

This slow-cooker pear butter is a simple, naturally sweet spread made with fresh pears and honey—no refined sugar needed. Perfect for fall, it’s easy to make, super inexpensive, and ready to enjoy on toast, oatmeal, yogurt, or even as a gift. Let it simmer in the crock pot all day and as a bonus your house is going to smell amazing.

Feeling extra cozy? Pair it with my warm homemade corn muffins or dive into another slow-cooker favorite with my apple butter recipe.

homemade pear butter ingredients

You only need 4 ingredients, plus a few pantry spices to make an easy batch of pear butter in the crock pot.

pears: fresh Bartlett pears are the star of the show.
lemon juice: acid that balances out the honey and pear.
honey: to sweeten.
spices: cinnamon, cinnamon sticks and a pinch of salt.
vanilla extract: adds an extra layer of cozy flavor.

Flavor Variations for Slow-Cooker Pear Butter

Give your pear butter a little extra oomph with these simple, tasty twists:

Spiced Autumn: Add 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon cloves with the cinnamon for warm, cozy fall flavors.
Ginger-Pear: Stir in 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger) for a bright, spicy kick.
Vanilla-Maple: Swap half the honey for pure maple syrup and increase vanilla extract to 1 tablespoon for a richer, sweeter spread.
Orange-Pear: Add 1–2 teaspoons orange zest and 1/4 cup orange juice for a fresh, citrusy twist.
Vanilla-Chai: Mix in 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ginger with the cinnamon for subtle chai-inspired notes.

These little flavor flips let you take your pear butter from everyday toast to dessert superstar – or a sweet little gift!

add everything (except vanilla) to crockpot

how to make pear butter

Homemade pear butter in the crock pot is so simple; just dump and let the slow cooker do its thing. One batch will make about ~2 cups (approximately 30 tablespoons).

Dump: Toss all of the ingredients (except the vanilla) into your slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, stirring halfway.
Vanilla & cinnamon: Uncover, stir in the vanilla, and fish out those cinnamon sticks.
Blend it up: Puree with an immersion blender or food processor until silky smooth.
Thicken & finish: Cook uncovered on high for 1 more hour, stirring occasionally, until thick and spread-ready.
Enjoy!: Spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, dollop on yogurt, or even gift it in a cute jar—cozy vibes guaranteed.

Storing Your Pear Butter

Fridge: Keep in an airtight jar for up to 2–3 weeks.
Freezer: Freeze in small containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Quick tip: A swirl straight from the freezer into oatmeal or yogurt = instant cozy magic.