A classic preserving recipe for brandied pears, perfect for enjoying as a special dessert or giving as a homemade gift.

Author

“The Complete Book of Home Preserving” by Ann Seranne, Doubleday & Co., New York, 1995


Recipe

MeasurementsIngredients
Per pound of fruit:
1 poundPears
1 poundSugar
1 cupWater
Per pint of syrup:
1 pintBrandy

Instructions

  1. Wash, peel, and cut the pears as desired. Weigh the prepared fruit.
  2. In a large pot, combine 1 pound of sugar and 1 cup of water for every pound of pears. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
  3. Cook the pears in the boiling syrup in batches, for 10-15 minutes per batch, until tender.
  4. Remove the cooked pears and pack them into hot, sterilized jars.
  5. Continue to boil the remaining syrup until it is thick (222°F on a candy thermometer).
  6. Let the syrup cool completely.
  7. Once cooled, add 1 pint of brandy for every pint of syrup. Stir well.
  8. Fill the jars of pears to overflowing with the brandy syrup.
  9. Seal the jars at once.