Vanilla Spiced Pear Butter

This is SO yummy! We had some on toast and it was absolutely delish. You can use it on anything you would use jam on... toast, rolls, muffins, crepes etc. I still don't have any cardamom so I didn't add it, and I didn't miss it, but it would probably be delish with it as well.

Vanilla Spiced Pear Butter
Makes 8 - eight ounce jars or 4 pints

Ingredients:
7 lbs. pears, peeled, cored, and coarsley chopped
1/2 cup water
zest and juice of 1 lemon
4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon cardamom
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
juice of 1 orange

Directions:
In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine the pears, water, lemon zest and juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and boil gently, occasionally stirring, for 20 minutes.

Working in batches, transfer mixture to a blender and puree just until a uniform texture is achieved. Do not liquefy. Measure 8 cups of pear puree (you can use the excess as Pearsauce).

In a clean large saucepan, combine pear puree, sugar, orange juice, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and boil gently, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens and holds it shape to a spoon and liquid does not separate (about 2-3 hours).

Ladel into resealable containers to freeze or jars to can.