Name: Pear Honey
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 130 min
Ingredients: 8 cups pears, peeled, cored, and chopped; 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple with juice; 4 cups sugar; 2 tbsp lemon juice

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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.

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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.

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

This old-fashioned Pear Honey recipe is smooth, velvety, and sweet—made with pears and pineapple to mimic real honey. A thrifty, delicious way to preserve pears and enjoy a delicious delight in a jar all year long!

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 1 30

Processing Time 10

Total Time 2 10

Servings 6 half pints

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!