I was looking through fruit tree catalogs earlier today, poring over the various heirloom pear varieties, and trying to decide which ones to order for planting this spring. It reminded me that I never made good on my promise to post my super-easy recipe for slow cooker spiced pear sauce, this fall. So I figured, better late than never!
This slow cooker spiced pear sauce is absolutely the easiest thing to make. And it really does make the house smell like sweet, spicy, heaven! The fragrance alone is more than enough excuse to make up a batch.
This recipe was something we concocted this year during pear season, when my sweet inlaws brought us a wonderful bounty of fresh, ripe pears. I had just finished canning load after load of applesauce, so you'd think everyone would have been a bit sauced out. But nope! From the first batch, when the scent of sweet pear and hearty spice started to fill the house, we were hooked. Izzy called it her "special sauce", and delicately relished every bite. Duncan just shoveled, gleefully. It really was one of his absolutely favorite first foods. Applesauce was for the birds, after this stuff.
I hope you enjoy this sauce as much as we all do! Now - back to these fruit tree catalogs. Clearly, my backyard is in need of a pear tree (or 2, or 3) - and I'm still trying to decide which variety to order. If you've got a recommendation, by all means - please help me decide!
📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Spiced Pear Sauce
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 4 lbs pears chopped
- 2 large oranges peeled and chopped
- 1 large cinnamon stick broken into pieces
- 15 whole cloves
- ¼ cup honey (optional)
Instructions
- Add fruit and spices to crockpot, and cook on low for 8 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Cool slightly, then put through a food mill or sieve.
- I prefer this recipe with no added sweetening, but you can also sweeten to taste with a little honey - ¼ cup should be plenty.
- Serve warm!
Nutrition
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Anna Chesley
Anna Chesley is a freelance writer living a homestead lifestyle, with a special love for family travel, old books, vintage skills, and seaside living. In addition to founding Salt In My Coffee, she runs the website, New England Family Life, as well as The 1800's Housewife, a website devoted to re-creating authentic 1800's recipes.
Amber Bradshaw says
Can't wait to make this- our pears are just getting ripe and I'm always looking for recipes to use them.
Kathryn Grace says
This is me slapping my forehead and saying "Duh, why didn't I think of that?" I've made apple sauce for years in the slow cooker, but never thought of pear sauce. Of course, we do love to just eat pears out of hand when they're in season and we're lucky enough to get ripe ones, but yes, pear sauce. How wonderful! I must try your recipe. Thank you. Found you on the Homesteader Hop--so glad you posted this link there.
Cery says
That looks absolutely delicious! Will be giving that a try this year!