What You’ll Need
Gather the following ingredients and equipment before you begin:
- 5 ripe pears
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 lemon
- 1 vanilla bean
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup of water
- A large pot
- A sharp knife
- A cutting board
- A fine-mesh strainer
- Glass jars for storage
Step 1: Prepare the Pears
Start by peeling and coring the pears. Cut them into small chunks and set aside. Squeeze the juice of the lemon into a bowl and set aside as well.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
In a large pot, add the pear chunks, lemon juice, sugar, water, vanilla bean (split and scraped), and cinnamon stick. Give it a gentle stir to combine all the ingredients.
Step 3: Cook the Mixture
Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about an hour or until the pears are soft and the liquid has thickened slightly.
Step 4: Strain and Bottle
Remove the pot from heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the mixture to separate the syrup from the pear solids. Press on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
Once strained, pour the syrup into clean glass jars, leaving a little bit of headspace at the top. Seal the jars tightly and let them cool completely before storing them in the refrigerator.
Step 5: Enjoy!
Your homemade pear syrup is now ready to be enjoyed! Drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, French toast, or even vanilla ice cream for a delightful burst of pear flavor. Store any leftover syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
There you have it—a simple and delicious recipe for making your own pear syrup at home. Get creative and experiment with different spices or add a touch of honey for extra sweetness. We guarantee your breakfasts and desserts will never be the same!