Countryside Pear Jam

By
Rebecca Franklin
Rebecca Franklin
Rebecca Franklin is a freelance lifestyle writer and recipe developer. Her expertise is in French cuisine, which she writes about and teaches.
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Updated on 03/7/22
Pear jam
Westend61 / Getty Images
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 90 mins
Total: 105 mins
Servings: 36 servings
Yield: 6 half-pint jars

The absolute simplicity of this four-ingredient countryside pear jam recipe is only a side benefit. The star of this jam is the sparkling clear flavor of fresh pears, accented with just the tiniest dusting of cinnamon and cloves. These pear preserves are a classical French confiture; they require no pectin, only sugar, to thicken into a hearty confection.

This recipe calls for the jam jars to be processed, which allows you to store them for a few months in a cool, dark pantry. The sealed jars of jam also make wonderful gifts.

Ingredients

  • 8 cups peeled, coarsely chopped pears

  • 4 cups sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Add all the ingredients into a large saucepan and bring them to a simmer over medium heat.

  3. Lower the heat slightly, and simmer the jam for 90 minutes to 2 hours, uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching the sugar and fruit. The jam is done when it is completely smooth, without any lumpy pieces of pears.

  4. Remove the pear jam from the heat; using a clean spoon, skim off and discard the foam.

  5. Ladle the finished jam into hot, sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-inch headroom.

  6. Wipe the rims with a clean towel, seal, and process in a boiling water canner for 10 to 11 minutes.

  7. Allow the jar to cool on top of a clean towel and check that the seals are properly set before storing the jam in a cool, dark place.

  8. Enjoy.

How to Use Your Jam

Here are a few ideas for how to use your jam in sweet and savory combinations:

  • Use the jam as a spread on hot buttered toast, English muffins, scones, or whole-wheat crackers.
  • Make the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, adding thin slices of pears for crunch.
  • Make a brie-and-pear-jam finger sandwich; this sweet spread is great paired with creamy cheeses.
  • Place a small bowl of jam next to your cheese or charcuterie board.
  • Cut triangles of manchego cheese, place a dollop of spread on top, and finish with a roasted almond, for an elegant appetizer.
  • Use the jam on ham, chicken, or pork, as you'd use apricot jam.
  • Use it as a filling for cakes or cupcakes.

Instead of Canning

  • If you are not interested in processing your homemade jam, you can simply store the jam in any sealed container in the refrigerator (it will only keep for about two weeks).
  • The pear jam can also be frozen. Store the jam in a sealed container, leaving a little room for expansion when freezing. Once the jars cool, place them in the freezer and store them for three to month months. Defrost the frozen jam in the refrigerator.

Tip

If using pint jars, process the jars for 15 minutes in the canning water bath.

Spice Up Your Jam

Once you've successfully made this jam once, try some alternative spices, including cardamom or ginger for an excitingly different flavor.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
105 Calories
0g Fat
27g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 36
Amount per serving
Calories 105
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 25g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 7%
Calcium 4mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 39mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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