Pear Honey is a traditional homestead recipe that turns ripe pears and crushed pineapple into a smooth, golden spread with the look and taste of honey. It’s often called “mock honey” because there’s no actual honey involved—just fruit magic! Learn how to make and can pear honey safely with step-by-step instructions, tips for preserving, and ideas for enjoying this unique pantry staple.
If you’ve never made Pear Honey before, you’re in for a sweet surprise. This recipe has been passed down through generations of homesteaders as a thrifty way to turn extra pears into something special. The first time I made it, I couldn’t believe how much it looked and tasted like real honey. Smooth, velvety, and perfectly sweet, it spreads like velvet on biscuits or warm bread. Best of all, it cans beautifully, so you can keep jars of sunshine tucked away in your pantry all year long!
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Recipe Tutorial for Pear Honey
Ingredients and Equipment You’ll Need
- Fresh ripe pears
- Crushed pineapple (canned or fresh)
- Sugar
- Lemon juice
- Water bath canning setup (jars, lids, rings, canner)
Step 1: Prep the Pears
Wash, peel, core, and chop your pears. You’ll want them ripe and juicy for the best flavor.
Step 2: Cook the Fruit
In a large pot, combine pears, crushed pineapple (with juice), sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir often to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Cook Until Smooth
Simmer the mixture until the fruit breaks down and the texture becomes syrupy. This usually takes 60–90 minutes on the stovetop.
Step 4: Blend Until Smooth
Use an immersion blender (or carefully transfer to a blender) to puree until silky smooth. The result should look like liquid honey.
Step 5: Can Your Pear Honey
Ladle hot pear honey into sterilized jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace. Wipe rims, apply lids and bands, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (half-pints and pints). Adjust for altitude as needed.
What Makes Pear Honey “Mock Honey”?
Pear Honey doesn’t actually contain any honey. Instead, the natural sweetness of pears combined with pineapple creates a velvety, syrupy spread that mimics the flavor and color of real honey. It’s an old-fashioned homesteader recipe—proof that with a little creativity, you can make something delightful out of humble fruit. Truly, it’s a delicious delight in a jar!
More Pear Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re like me and always looking for ways to make the most of your pear harvest, you’ll want to try some of my other favorite canning recipes. Learn How to Make and Can Pear Pie Filling for a ready-to-go dessert in a jar, follow The Ultimate Guide to Canning Apple Pear Butter: Step-by-Step Instructions and How to Make and Can Salted Caramel Pear Butter for another cozy spread, or keep it simple with Canning Pear Sauce: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide. Each recipe is perfect for stocking your pantry and enjoying pears all year long.
More Cozy Fall Butters to Try!
If you fall in love with this salted caramel pear butter (and I think you will), you’ll want to add a few more jars of autumn goodness to your pantry. These are some of my favorite seasonal butters to make when the leaves turn and the mornings get crisp — each one bringing its own unique flavor and warmth to the table.
Pumpkin Butter
My Pumpkin Butter is smooth, spiced, and tastes like a slice of pumpkin pie in spreadable form — perfect for toast or swirling into oatmeal.
Apple Butter
This Apple Butter is slow-cooked until deep and rich, with warm spices that make your whole kitchen smell like autumn.
Carrot Cake Butter
Carrot Cake Butter brings together sweet carrots and cinnamon for a spread that tastes just like your favorite dessert.
How to Make and Can Butternut Squash Butter
This butternut squash butter with maple and citrus. Perfect for canning, gifting, and enjoying fall flavors all season long!
How to Make and Can Salted Caramel Pear Butter
Salted caramel pear butter using the Ball® Mason method and my favorite crockpot technique.
Conclusion
Pear Honey is one of those recipes that feels like pure kitchen alchemy. It’s simple, frugal, and absolutely delicious. Every jar sparkles with golden sweetness, ready to drizzle over pancakes, biscuits, or even stirred into tea. If you’re looking for a unique way to preserve pears, this is it—your pantry will thank you, and so will everyone you share it with!
Resources: Here are some helpful resources for further information.
- Strawberry Butter – By Belly Full
- Sunshine Fruit Butter – By Seed to Pantry
- Mixed Fruit Slow Cooker Butter – By Food in Jars
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does pear honey contain real honey?
No—it’s called “mock honey” because the pears and pineapple create a flavor and texture similar to honey.
2. Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Yes, just be sure to include the juice. Canned pineapple is easier and gives consistent results.
3. How long does canned pear honey last?
Properly processed jars will last up to 18 months in a cool, dark pantry.
4. What’s the best way to eat pear honey?
Spread it on biscuits, drizzle over pancakes, swirl into oatmeal, or stir into hot tea for a fruity twist.
Pear Honey
Equipment
- 1 stockpot.
- 1 water bath canner
- 6 half pint jars with lids and rings
- canning supplies
Ingredients
- 8 cups pears, peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple with juice
- 4 cups sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare pears by peeling, coring, and chopping.
- In a large pot, combine pears, pineapple with juice, sugar, and lemon juice.
- Simmer over medium heat 60–90 minutes, stirring often, until thickened and golden.
- Puree until smooth with an immersion blender.
- Ladle into hot jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace. Wipe rims, apply lids, and process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
- Cool jars 12–24 hours before storing.
- Enjoy this golden pear honey spread on biscuits, pancakes, or stirred into tea!
Summary
I hope I have inspired you to stockpile your pantry for your survival needs.
If you were encouraged by this post, I invite you to check out my FREE Printables Page for fun free printables, planners, and charts.
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Here are some more of my canning inspiration posts to check out!
Pears: How to Make and Can Salted Caramel Pear Butter
Butternut Squash: How to Make and Can Butternut Squash Butter
Quince: How to Make and Can Fall Spiced Quince Chutney
Quince: How to Can Quince
Carrot Cake Butter: How to Make and Can Carrot Cake Butter
Peach Pie Filling: How to Make and Can Peach Pie Filling
Pear Pie Filling: How to Make and Can Pear Pie Filling
The Best Winter Pantry Staples to Stockpile Now!
More Recipes!
Grapes: How to Make and Can Grape Jam
Apple Cider: How to Make Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar
How to Make and Can Cherry Plum Jam
How to Make and Can Apple Butter In Crockpot
Stockpiling Condiments for Survival: Learn How I Do It!
How to Make and Can Vegetable Pot Pie Filling
Easy Canning Applesauce Recipes to Stalk Your Pantry!
How to Make Peach Jalapeno Jam
Cherries: How to Make Cherry Pie Filling
Cherries: How to Make Cherry Syrup
Salsa: How to Make and Can Cherry Salsa
Peaches: How to Make and Can Peach Salsa
Canning Supplies You Need Now for a Successful Canning Season!
How to Make and Can Balsamic Onion Jam
Cranberry Sauce: How to Make and Can Old Fashioned Cranberry Sauce
How to Make and Can Cranberry Merry Jam
How to Make and Can Strawberry Shortcake Jam
Cherry Jam: How to Make and Can Cherry Pie Jam
Carrot Cake Jam: How to Make and Can Carrot Cake Jam
Quince Jam: How to Can a Year’s Supply of Quince Jam
Root Beer Float Jelly: How to Make and Can Root Beer Float Jelly
Blessings,
The Off Grid Barefoot Girl
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