Spiced Pear Applesauce Recipe

With the perfect balance of sweet, spice, and fall flavors, this spiced pear applesauce is proof that the best applesauce is made with pears.

So I’ve cracked the code on making the best homemade applesauce, and the secret ingredient might surprise you.

Pears!

Years ago as a new mom, I was happily surprised to find how easy it was to make homemade applesauce.

At one point along the road, I was short a few apples to make a whole batch, but I did have a few pears to use as a substitute.

And when I tasted this finished pear applesauce for the first time, I knew I would never make applesauce without pears again.

The humble pear might arguably be my favorite cool-season fruit.

While apples are crisp and acidic, ripe pears are buttery, mildly sweet, and dripping in juice.

Their velvety texture and flavor create the smoothest, richest applesauce that is a delicious and healthy snack, side, or topping to an endless list of dishes.

Thanks to the apples and pears, this spiced pear applesauce is full of vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber.

Better yet, it’s made with whole, seasonal ingredients. It’s spiced with the flavors of fall, then slowly simmered on your stove and tended to with love.

The difference is definitely in the taste – which is hands down better than anything you can buy in the store.

Why You’ll Love This Spiced Pear Applesauce

• everything is better homemade – You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find how easy it is to make all the homemade applesauce you’ll ever need. When you use fresh apples and pears that are in season, the flavor and texture you get are far better than anything you can buy in the store.
• it’s fall in a jar – This recipe is the perfect marriage of fall flavors – perfectly ripe apples and pears, sweet maple syrup, and warm fall spices. The ingredient list is simple, but the final flavor is anything but basic.
• it’s not just applesauce – It’s a healthy and delicious side, snack, or topping for so many dishes. Not to mention, it’s the perfect go-to for when you have the hankering for something sweet and fresh.
• make now, enjoy later – Not only is this spiced pear applesauce easy to make, it’s also one of the best recipes for making in large batches and freezing for seasons to come.

What Apples and Pears Are best for Applesauce?

The short answer is: whatever ones you have!

I prefer (and highly recommend) using a variety of apples and pears in this spiced pear applesauce – some sweet, some tart, some firm, some soft.

• Sweet apples – Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Jonagold, Ambrosia
• Mild apples – Braeburn, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious
• Tart apples – Granny Smith, McIntosh, Pink Lady, Cortland
• Common pears – Bartlett, D’Anjou, Bosc, Concorde

Along with the spices, using a mix and match of flavors and textures from the fruit creates a complex, yet well-balanced applesauce every time.

Ingredients and Notes

• apples and pears – I prefer to use a variety of sweet and tart apples for a well-rounded applesauce. Check up above for the differences in apple varieties (there’s so many). I use any type of pear I can find at the market or grocery store, typically a Bartlett or D’Anjou. The different flavors and textures amongst the apples and pears meld together beautifully every time.
• spices – I prefer ground spices in this recipe since it doesn’t simmer quite long enough for all the flavors to be properly extracted from whole spices. I use grated ginger, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Other great flavor add-ins are ground allspice, nutmeg, or cardamom.
• sea salt – Every great sweet recipe is perfectly balanced with a pinch of sea salt.
• maple syrup – Although you can use any sweetener you prefer (honey, sugar, brown sugar, etc.), I love using maple syrup in this recipe for the full autumn flavor. It complements the natural sweetness in the fruits perfectly without overpowering them or making the final product too sweet.
• lemon juice – A little squeeze of lemon juice is the perfect zesty complement to brighten and balance the sweetness and spice. The acidity also helps to preserve the applesauce.
• water or apple cider – The apples and pears will release their natural juices once they get cooking. However, a little extra liquid is needed to prevent the sugars from burning at the bottom of the pot (I learned the hard way). If you have some apple cider hangin’ around, this is the perfect time to add a little extra apple flavor. If not, water does the trick just fine.

How to Make Spiced Pear Applesauce

1. Peel, core, and slice the apples and pears, and then add them into a large, deep pot or Dutch oven. I love using this all-in-one peeler, slicer, and corer and saving the scraps to make spiced apple scrap cider!.

2. Add in the remaining ingredients and cook covered over medium heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring often.

3. Once the fruits have softened, puree them in the pot using an immersion blender or very carefully transfer the contents into a blender or food processor and puree to your preferred chunkiness (you may need to do it in two batches to prevent overfilling the blender).

4. Taste and adjust with more maple syrup and ground spices if necessary, and dig in!

5. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days, or transfer into the freezer for up to 6 months.

Ways to Enjoy Your Spiced Pear Applesauce

• Enjoy on its own as a light snack or side dish (it’s my favorite dip for potato pancakes).
• Add natural sweetness on top of your ice cream, yogurt, or oatmeal.
• Substitute as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or french toast.
• Complement savory meats by paring it with pork, chicken, or sausage.
• Use in your cakes, muffins, and breads to add moisture and subtle sweetness.

More Fall Recipes

• Spiced Apple Scrap Cider
• Bone Broth Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Maple Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer