If you’re like I’ve been, you’re getting a little more creative in the kitchen. I’m working ways to use up what’s in my pantry, and making good use out of what’s lingering from my last grocery store run or produce delivery so that it doesn’t end up in the bin. In an effort to do the latter, I bring you this small-batch easy pear vanilla jam.

Are pears in season now? I admit to be oblivious to what’s growing at any given time of the year outside the obvious (apples in the fall, citrus in the winter, berries in the summer) but I’m guessing they are because the last two weeks of my Hungary Harvest box have been full of them and I’ve admittedly been slow to eat them as fast. On a whim I thought jam sounded like a good idea for some very bruised pears and it turns out, I was right!

I’ve mentioned before how I love me some fancy jams, and this pear vanilla jam varietal that we’ve got today brought me way back to the Borough Market, circa 2007. Every Saturday I’d find myself moseying through the stalls, and I’d inevitably find myself faced with my favorite jam seller and a wall of delicious flavors that I just couldn’t wait to try. Pear and vanilla was one of them and it’s been years since I’ve been able to enjoy the original and my at-home substitute actually proved to be just as delish.

After all, we’ve all been baking all the bread, yeah? Right, and so we need some salted butter and good jam to go with it.

See also, small batch strawberry jam (with a surprise hint of orange and black pepper!).

This recipe uses a mere 4 ingredients and makes about 1 1/2 cups. Just a squidge of sugar keeps it from being too sweet, and vanilla bean paste add the flavor we all love and the texture and vanilla beans that make us feel fancy.

Use as a topper as described above, or on ice cream, or on your favorite muffin topped with ricotta. Any way, this jam’s the jam!

Easy Pear Vanilla Jam

May 27, 2020

Servings: 1 1/2 c

Prep: 30 min

Cook: 45 min

Total: 1 hr 30 min

Difficulty: Easy

Print This

Easy pear vanilla jam is a small batch recipe using fresh pears, little sugar and a healthy helping of vanilla bean paste.

By: Chrissy

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds fresh pears, cored and seeded
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 lemon, juiced (about 1 TB)
1 TB vanilla bean paste

Directions

Step 1 In a medium saucepan, add the pears and sugar. Let sit about 10 minutes to loosen up the berries, or up to an hour.
Step 2 Place the saucepan over medium heat. Add the lemon juice. Mash the pears with a potato masher to get some of the juice going, and then bring to a simmer.
Step 3 Cook the jam until it thickens and starts to cling to the bottom of the pan. Stir it every 2-3 minutes, making sure it doesn’t stick, and keep an eye on it, about 15-25 minutes.
Step 4 Once it threatens to stick to the bottom of the pan, stir it constantly for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla bean paste.
Step 5 Pour into a half-pint jar, or an old jam jar. Let cool to room temperature. Store covered the fridge.