This recipe is quite forgiving with substitutions. You can use different fruit, substitute vanilla extract, swap in another sweetener, or even use a different liquid. Just make sure the dried fruit rehydrates thoroughly, so it blends well.
Author: Hannah Kaminsky
Recipe type: Spread
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
3 cups (about 12 ounces) dried pear halves
2 cups unsweetened apple juice
⅓ cup maple syrup
Juice of ½ lemon
Seeds from 1 vanilla bean
Instructions
Add the pair halves, apple juice, maple syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla to a pot, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all of the dried pears are soft and rehydrated, stirring occasionally.
Remove the pot from the heat, and let the mixture cool for a 10 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to your food processor or blender and puree until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. The mixture will be extremely thick.
Spoon the pear butter into airtight containers, and refrigerate. It will keep for up to 2 weeks, and will thicken a little more as it cools.