Pear Butter

Ingredients

• 1 gallon water
• 1/2 cup bottled lemon juice, divided*
• 4 pounds firm ripe pears
• 2/3 cup white grape juice
• 9 packets Sweet 'N Low zero calorie sweetener
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Preparation

*Do not use fresh lemon juice

In large pot, combine water and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Peel, core, and halve pears, adding them to water lemon juice mixture to prevent browning. Drain off liquid; add remaining ingredients, including remaining 1/4 cup lemon juice. Over high heat, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes or until pears are very tender. In blender or food processor, puree pears. Return puree to pot and continue cooking 20 minutes or until very thick. Spoon into hot jars, allowing 1/4-inch headspace (or follow jar manufacturer's instructions if different.) Wipe jars with clean cloth dipped in hot water. Close according to jar manufacturer's instructions and process in boiling water bath 20 minutes.