How to Make Pear Honey Jam | Simple Old-Fashioned Canning Recipe

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Every county fair has its blue-ribbon stars, and this Pear Honey recipe is one of them. Shared in our vintage Ozark Empire Fair’s Golden Anniversary Cookbook by home cook Nancy Johnson of Clever, Missouri, this old-fashioned pear honey dates back to 1951. It’s a simple recipe, but the flavor is pure magic—sweet, golden, and perfect for spreading on hot biscuits or drizzling over pound cake.

Despite the name, there’s no actual honey in this jam. Instead, ripe fresh pears are cooked down with crushed pineapple with juice and plenty of cups of sugar until they take on a golden honey-like color. Some call it pear honey jam, others think of it as a cousin to pear butter, but whatever you call it, this homemade fruit spread is one of the best ways to preserve late-summer pears.

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Why Make Homemade Pear Honey?

If you’ve ever had the joy of picking from an old pear tree in late summer, you know how many pounds of pears you can end up with at once. We recently moved and were delighted to discover that one of the old trees in the front yard is actually a Kieffer Pear Tree! We began harvesting the fresh pears this last week, and searching for old recipes that would help us cook or bake up some goodies to share with friends and family. That lovely tree definitely inspired us when choosing which blue ribbon recipe to feature for today’s fair series.

Turning pears into pear honey is a good way to make sure none of that fruit goes to waste. This recipe is part of a long tradition of Southern canning recipes—simple, dependable, and perfect for capturing late summer in a jar. Sometimes the best way to hold on to the season is by simmering fruit with sugar and pineapple juice until it transforms into a golden, honey-like spread.

And if you’re looking for fall canning recipes or even homemade Christmas gift ideas, jars of this sweet pear honey are always welcome. Tie a little ribbon around a jar, and you’ve got the perfect gift straight from the kitchen.

Ingredients for Pear Honey

For this award-winning Kieffer pears recipe, you’ll only need three main ingredients, plus your canning jars:

• 5 pounds pears (10 cups diced fresh pears)
• 10 cups sugar
• 2 cups crushed pineapple with juice
• Pint jars or half pints for storing

Kieffer pears are especially good here. Their firm texture holds up to cooking, and their flavor shines through once blended with pineapple and sugar. If you’ve got another variety of pear, don’t worry—you can still make this recipe.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prepare the fruit

Start by peeling the pears and removing the cores. Cut them into small pieces, measuring out about 10 cups total. Place the pears into a large bowl as you go.

2. Combine ingredients

In a large dutch oven or stock pot, mix the pears with the sugar and pineapple (juice included). This mixture can be covered and refrigerated if you’re not ready to cook right away. (I prepped ours the night before and cooked the next day.)

3. Cook until softened

Set the pot over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until the pears begin to soften.

4. Blend to desired texture

At this point, you can move the pot off the burner and use a handheld immersion blender to blend the pears for a smooth spread, or even a potato masher if you prefer a bit more texture.

5. Finish cooking

Return the mixture to the stove and continue boiling until it becomes thick and clear, approximately 15 more minutes, until it reaches gel stage. If you like, you can add a couple of cinnamon sticks during this stage for a warm, spiced twist.

6. Jar the pear honey

Carefully ladle the hot pear honey into hot sterile jars, leaving a 1/4″ space at the top of the jars. Wipe the rims clean, then seal with lids.

7. Storing your jam

As the jars cool, the lids will pop to signal a proper seal. Store sealed jars in a dark place like a pantry. Any jars that don’t seal can be kept in refrigerator storage and used within six weeks.

The above method is called Open-Kettle Canning and was the way country cooks preserved their fruits up until the 1980’s, when for extra safety, the water bath canning method was introduced to prevent contamination of the contents of the jars. Older recipes don’t mention this since sugar was considered a means of curing the fruit in the canning process.

Serving Ideas for Pear Honey

• Spread on hot biscuits for breakfast.
• Drizzle over ice cream for a quick dessert.
• Add a spoonful to warm pound cake.
• Stir into oatmeal or yogurt for a sweet start to the day.
• Use as a glaze for baked ham or chicken.

This pear honey with pineapple also makes an excellent gift. A jar tucked into a basket of baked goods is thoughtful and heartfelt—a true example of homemade Christmas gift ideas at their finest.

Tips for the Best Pear Honey Recipe

• Use fresh pears for the richest flavor. Kieffer pears work beautifully, but any firm pear will do.
• To enhance the flavor, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice at the end of cooking.
• Always use hot jars when filling to prevent cracks.
• Remember, this is a “pear honey without honey” style recipe—the honey flavor comes from the fruit itself.

Final Thoughts

This homemade pear honey is one of those recipes that feels like it belongs in every kitchen. Whether you’re new to homemade fruit jams for beginners or a seasoned canner with a shelf full of preserves, this jam is a keeper.

It’s a reminder of the joys of old-fashioned canning recipes, the kind you find at fairs and family gatherings. With just pears, pineapple, and sugar, you can create something golden, sweet, and truly timeless. So pull out your large kettle (or large dutch oven or stock pot), gather up those 5 pounds of pears, and start a new tradition. This just might become your best pear honey recipe—a taste of summer you’ll be enjoying all year long.

If you’re looking for more delicious blue ribbon recipes, check out our Sourdough drop biscuits, this jam would make the perfect topping!