Festive Pear Brandy Jam – A Less-Sweet Holiday Recipe

This holiday pear brandy jam brings together juicy pears, warming spices, and aromatic brandy in a luxurious yet less-sweet preserve. It’s elegant, cozy, and perfect for festive breakfasts, cheese boards, or gifting during the Christmas season.

Hey folks – I hope you all are doing well!

Today, I’m sharing a refined twist on a holiday preserve – Festive Pear Brandy Jam. If you love the idea of homemade jams but prefer them less sugary and more fruit-forward (and more boozy, too!), this recipe is for you. The addition of brandy and subtle spices makes this jam beautifully fragrant without being cloying, capturing the essence of winter comfort.

Why You’ll Love This Holiday Pear Brandy Jam

• Elegant and Festive: Pears and brandy combine for a luxurious holiday flavour with a soft, aromatic finish.
• Less Sweet: Uses half the usual sugar, letting the fruit and spice notes shine naturally.
• Warmly Spiced: Cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla bring cozy depth to every spoonful.
• Versatile: Pairs beautifully with toast, pancakes, or holiday cheese platters.
• Great for Gifting: Gorgeous in a small jar with a ribbon – homemade holiday charm in a spoonful.

Holiday Pear Brandy Jam: Flavour and Texture Profile

This holiday pear brandy jam is silky, glossy, and aromatic, with notes of warm spice and a gentle kick from the brandy. It’s sweet enough to feel indulgent but remains naturally fruity, thanks to reduced sugar. The texture is soft with bits of pear, making it equally suited for breakfast spreads or elegant charcuterie pairings.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe

• Pears: The star ingredient – Bartlett or other ripe, juicy varieties give a fragrant, smooth base.
• Brandy: Adds rich warmth and aroma; use more or less depending on preference.
• Sugar: Much lower than typical jam recipes for a less-sweet result; adjust to taste.
• Water: Helps soften the pears and dissolve the sugar at the start.
• Lemon Juice: Enhances freshness and balances sweetness.
• Cinnamon Stick: Infuses a cozy spice that defines holiday flavour.
• Vanilla Pod: Brings gentle, creamy undertones to complement the brandy.
• Cardamom and Ginger: Add complexity and subtle warmth without overpowering.
• Star Anise (pinch): A delicate touch of festive aroma.
  Pectin (optional): Helps achieve a firmer consistency if desired.

Possible Additions and Variations

• Extra Spice: Add cloves or nutmeg for a bolder holiday touch.
• Citrus Twist: Swap part of the water for orange juice and zest for a brighter flavour.
• Boozy Variations: Substitute brandy with rum, amaretto, or whiskey for a unique spin.
• Chunkier Texture: Lightly mash instead of fully simmering for rustic appeal.

How to Make Holiday Pear Brandy Jam

In a heavy pot, combine pears, sugar, water, one-third of the brandy, lemon juice, and all spices except vanilla. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer covered for 30–35 minutes until the pears soften and release their juices. Remove the lid and continue simmering uncovered for about 20 minutes, or until thickened to your liking. Stir often to prevent sticking.

Increase the heat, stir in vanilla and the remaining brandy, and cook briefly. If you prefer a thicker jam, add pectin and simmer for another 2–3 minutes following the package directions. Let cool completely, then transfer to jars. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 weeks – or longer if jars are sterilized properly.

More Festive Jam Ideas

Looking for more holiday jam ideas, just like this festive brandy pear jam? Be sure to check more recipes for the inspioration:

• Homemade Chestnut Jam with Brandy and Warm Spices
• Fig Jam with Brandy (with dried figs)
• Cointreau Orange Marmalade (with vanilla)

I hope you enjoy this Festive Pear Brandy Jam and will give the recipe a try. If you do, please let me know in the comment section below, send me a message on Instagram, or share your photos using the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.e your photos by adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.

Cheers!

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Festive Pear Brandy Jam – A Less-Sweet Holiday Recipe

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Christmas, Sweet Spreads and Preserves

Servings

12-18

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour 

Less-sweet festive pear brandy jam with warm spices and brandy – elegant, aromatic, and perfect for the holiday season.

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 2 lb. pears (about 900 gr. or 3-4 large pears), cored and roughly cubed – I used Bartlett

• 1/2 cup (100 gr.) granulated sugar *See note

• 1/4 cup (60 ml.) water

• 1/2 to 3/4 cup (120-180 ml.) brandy

• 1 tbsp. (15 ml.) lemon juice

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1/2 vanilla pod, seeds scraped

• 1/2 tsp. cardamom and ginger, each

• a little pinch of star anise seeds

• 1/2 to 1 tbsp. classic pectin (optional)

Directions

• Place the pears, sugar, water, 1/3 cup (80 ml.) brandy, lemon juice, and spices (except vanilla) in a heavy pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally. At this point, the pears start softening and will release more of the juices – and they will start to evaporate.
• Remove the lid and keep cooking for another 20 minutes or until the desired consistency and thickness. Depending on the size of the pear chunks, it may take longer. Keep an eye on the moisture – if the liquid has evaporated
• Increase the heat and add the vanilla and remaining brandy – you don’t need to add it all, depending on the desired consistency. Also, at this point, if you prefer a thicker version, add the pectin and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Please check the package instruction, but most commonly you will need to boil pectin for a few minutes.
• Off heat. Let the jam completely cool. Keep refrigerated in an air-tight container or jar. As it contains alcohol, it should be fine up to 3-4 weeks. But you can always use sterilized jars to increase the shelf life. Enjoy!

Notes

• This is not a typical amount of sugar. Normally, for this amount of pears, the sugar will be at least 1 – 1 and 1/2 cups (or even more). But we are not fans of overly sweet preserves, and this amount yields in quite sweet jam. Also, we keep all jams refrigerated and consumed within 2-3 weeks. Hence, if you are looking for a sweeter version – or planning to keep the jam fresh longer (sugar works as conservative, too), you may want to increase the amount of sugar.