This utterly delicious pear curd recipe is easy to make and tastes incredible on pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal and especially in my gluten free pear tart.
Why Make Pear Curd?
Pear curd is smooth and tasty, filled with fresh pear puree and optional spices such as cinnamon. It also goes with so many foods.
If you’re lucky enough to have a pear tree, like I do, pear curd is just one of the many delicious things you can make.
In addition to homemade spiced pear curd, I’ve been busy making pear sauce, red wine poached pears, apple pear sauce, non alcoholic poached pears and a delightful pear curd tart with homemade caramel sauce that’s simply to die for.
Pears are incredibly versatile and perfect for culinary experimentation!
Delicious Ways to Enjoy Pear Curd
You can, for example, enjoy pear curd on toast, scones, pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, cakes, tarts, cheese and crackers, ice cream, and as a topping for meringues and pavlova cake. I’ve even served it on chicken and fish!
Customize Pear Curd with a Variety of Spices
I love adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to this pear curd recipe, but there are plenty of other spices that complement pears beautifully.
The recipe yields two cups of pear curd. So, if you’d like to change up my recipe and experiment, I recommend adding spices in quarter- or half-teaspoon increments.
To test the flavors, you can also sprinkle a bit of spice on a small portion of the curd before adjusting the entire batch.
- Cinnamon: A classic, adding a warm, cozy flavor that complements the pears’ natural sweetness.
- Ginger: Fresh or ground, ginger brings a touch of spice and zing.
- Nutmeg: Offers a slightly nutty, earthy flavor with a hint of warmth.
- Cloves: A small amount goes a long way, adding strong, aromatic warmth – perfect for spiced pear curd.
- Cardamom: Brightens the pear flavor with a floral, citrusy note and a hint of spice.
- Vanilla: While not a spice, vanilla extract or paste adds a sweet, fragrant depth that pairs beautifully with pears.
Ingredients for This Homemade Pear Curd Recipe
This is basically all you need to make this yummy recipe.
- Pears: Peeled, cored and chopped.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, citrusy note that enhances the overall flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the natural sweetness of the pears.
- Sugar or Monk Fruit: Sweetens the curd and aids in thickening.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and a creamy, smooth texture.
- Egg Yolks: Provide a custard-like consistency, giving the curd its signature richness.
- Cinnamon (optional but highly recommended): Adds a warm, spicy sweetness that complements the pear flavors, enriching the curd’s overall taste.
How to Make Homemade Pear Curd
Here’s how to make 2 cups of delicious pear curd:
- Prepare the Pears: Peel, core, and chop the pears. Then, use a kitchen scale to ensure you have 600 grams of chopped pears (about 5 pears).
- Cook the Pears: Place the chopped pears in a nonstick saucepan, add the lemon juice, and cook over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring continuously until the pears soften. The pears will release their juices after a few minutes, so avoid adding water, as it can dilute the flavor.
- Puree the Pears: Blend the softened pears into a smooth puree using an immersion blender, regular blender, or food processor. Ensure there are no lumps.
- Return to Saucepan: Pour the pear puree back into the saucepan.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in salt, sugar, and unsalted butter. Mix until fully incorporated. If the mixture starts to boil, immediately lower the heat.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Temper the Egg Yolks: In a small bowl, slowly stir half a cup of the warm puree into the egg yolks to temper them. Once combined, pour the mixture back into the saucepan and stir until fully blended.
- Cook the Curd: Cook the mixture over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly as it thickens. If it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low.
- Add Optional Cinnamon: Turn off the heat and stir in the cinnamon, which adds a lovely warm flavor (highly recommended).
- Cool and Set: Transfer the curd to a jar or container and let it cool uncovered. Once cooled, seal the jar and refrigerate, allowing the curd to set – ideally overnight for the best texture.
Your pear curd is delicious on toast, with scones, in oatmeal or as a filling for cakes or tarts.
How to Use Pear Curd as a Tart Filling
This recipe yields 2 cups of pear curd, ideal for a pear tart filling.
1. After incorporating all the ingredients, keep the heat on and stir in 7 grams of gelatin.
2. Cook for an additional two minutes, then let the mixture cool for five minutes.
3. Pour the curd into a pre-baked tart shell and refrigerate. For best results, let the pear tart set overnight.
How to Store Pear Curd
Let the spiced curd cool. Then transfer it to a jar or container.
Refrigerate Pear Curd
You can store pear curd in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freeze This Pear Curd Recipe
You can also freeze it in an airtight container for a longer time.
In conclusion, that’s everything you need to know to make amazing homemade spiced pear curd. If you love pears, I definitely recommend trying this fun fruit recipe.
Happy Baking!
Want More Spiced Pear Recipes?
Here are some spiced pear recipes to enjoy:
Also Try These Scrumptious Desserts
Recipe Card
Pear Curd Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Nonstick Saucepan
- 1 Immersion Blender or Regular Blender or Food Processor
- 1 Spoon or Spatula
- 1 Jar for 2 Cups of Pear Curd
- 1 Kitchen scale (optional)
Ingredients
See the List of Spices for Additional Spice Options
- 5 Pears: Peel, core, and chop them. Use a kitchen scale to ensure you have 600 grams of chopped pears
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 4½ Tablespoons Sugar or Zero-Calorie Monk Fruit
- 5 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter (70 grams)
- 4 Egg Yolks
- 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon (optional but highly recommended)
- 7 Grams Gelatin (optional) to set the pear curd as a tart filling; see the main post for information.
Instructions
This Recipe Makes about Two Cups of Pear Curd.
- Prepare the Pears: Peel, core, and chop the pears. Use a kitchen scale to ensure you have 600 grams of chopped pears (about 5 pears).
- Cook the Pears: Place the chopped pears in a nonstick saucepan, add the 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and cook over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring continuously until the pears soften. The pears will release their juices after a few minutes, so avoid adding water, as it can dilute the flavor.
- Puree the Pears: Blend the softened pears into a smooth puree using an immersion blender, regular blender, or food processor. Ensure there are no lumps.
- Return to Saucepan: Pour the pear puree back into the saucepan.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in a ½ teaspoon salt, 4½ tablespoons sugar, and 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Mix until fully incorporated. If the mixture starts to boil, immediately lower the heat.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Temper the Egg Yolks: In a small bowl, slowly stir half a cup of the warm puree into the 4 egg yolks to temper them. Once combined, pour the mixture back into the saucepan and stir until fully blended.
- Cook the Curd: Cook the mixture over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly as it thickens. If it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low.
- Add Optional Cinnamon: Turn off the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, which adds a lovely warm flavor (highly recommended).
- Cool and Set: Transfer the curd to a jar or container and let it cool uncovered. Once cooled, seal the jar and refrigerate, allowing the curd to set – ideally overnight for the best texture.
Notes
Tastes incredible, thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome. Glad you liked it!