SLOW-COOKER PEAR BUTTER

Slow-Cooker Pear Butter image

This is a tasty spread for toast, muffins, biscuits or any of your favorite breads. It is easy to make and has a rich pear flavor with hints of cinnamon, star anise and lemon. -Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 6h25m

Yield 6 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 5

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Ingredients

1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
4-5 star anise points (about 1/2 whole)
5 pounds pears, peeled and chopped (about 12 cups)
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Steps:

Place spices on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose spices; tie securely with string. In a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker, toss remaining ingredients. Add spice bag, covering with pears., Cook, covered, on low 5-6 hours or until pears are tender. Remove spice bag., Puree pear mixture using an immersion blender. Or, cool slightly and puree mixture in a blender in batches; return to slow cooker., Cook, uncovered, on high 1-2 hours or until mixture is thickened to desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Store cooled pear butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Freeze option: Freeze cooled pear butter in freezer containers up to 3 months. Liquids expand as they freeze, so leave extra room at the top of the freezer container. To use, thaw in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 41 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 2mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 0 protein.