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Cozy Homemade Apple Pear Sauce with Cinnamon and Spice 

There’s something deeply comforting about a warm bowl of apple pear sauce—especially when it’s made with real fruit and cozy spices like cinnamon. This smooth, gently sweetened blend of apples and pears is the perfect fall-inspired treat (though I admit, you can eat it all year round!).

Whether you're serving it as a side dish, spooning it over pancakes, or enjoying it by itself, this pear applesauce recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again.

In this post, I’ll show you how to make a naturally sweet, gently spiced apple-pear sauce from scratch—with tips for stovetop and slow cooker methods, storage options, and a few ideas to enjoy it in everyday meals.

If you've ever made homemade apple sauce, you’ll love the subtle twist pears add to this easy apple pear sauce recipe!

Why Apple Pear Sauce Deserves a Spot in Your Kitchen

This simple little recipe brings together the best of both worlds—the tart brightness of apples and the mellow sweetness of pears. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon, a hint of nutmeg, and just enough lemon juice to balance it all, and you’ve got a sauce that’s equally comforting and delicious.

It’s one of those old-fashioned, no-fuss recipes that makes the whole house smell like fall. Plus, it’s a great way to use up those extra pears (especially when they ripen faster than you expected).

With no refined sugar, this cozy blend is naturally sweet, and perfect for little ones, picky eaters, and anyone trying to eat a little more whole-food based.

The Best Kinds of Apples and Pears to Use

For the best flavor, I love using a mix of sweet and tart apples. Think Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp paired with Granny Smith or Pink Lady. Mixing varieties adds a nice depth of flavor and keeps things from tasting flat.

When it comes to pears, Bartletts are always a winner—they break down beautifully and bring in a smooth, almost floral sweetness. Asian pears will give you a lighter, juicier flavor (and keep things on the crisp side if you want a chunkier texture).

Whatever varieties you use, just make sure they’re ripe and fragrant for the best natural sweetness.

Prepping the Fruit for Pear Applesauce (It's Easier Than You Think!)

Start by peeling (here's my favorite peeler) and coring your apples and pears, then give them a rough dice. (Nothing fancy—just aim for fairly even chunks so they cook at the same rate.)

I like to toss the chopped fruit with a splash of lemon juice right away—it keeps everything from browning and adds a little brightness to the finished sauce.

Stovetop Method: How to Make Apple Pear Sauce from Scratch

Add your chopped pears and apples to a heavy-bottomed pot or saucepan, along with ½ cup of water and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Bring it all to a gentle boil over medium heat.

Once it’s bubbling, turn the heat down to low, cover and simmer fruit for about 20–25 minutes, or until it’s nice and soft. You’ll want to stir occasionally to keep it from sticking. After the fruit has softened, remove the lid and let it simmer a bit more so the extra liquid can evaporate.

When the texture is soft and mashable, you can decide how smooth or chunky you want it. (More on that in a minute!)

Yes, You Can Make It in the Slow Cooker!

If you’d rather not babysit the stove, the slow cooker is a fantastic option. Just toss everything in—apples, pears, a little water, and lemon juice—then set it on low for 4–6 hours or high for about 2–3 hours.

Once the fruit is tender, add your spices and sweetener of choice. Stir it all together and let it cook uncovered for another 20–30 minutes to thicken slightly.

This method makes your house smell amazing—like apple pie meets cozy fall candle!

How to Sweeten and Spice Things Just Right

Depending on how sweet your fruit is, you may not need any sweetener at all. That’s one of the beautiful things about this pear sauce recipe—it’s easy to customize. I like to add ¼ cup of brown sugar substitute, but you can taste and adjust.

For that warm, cozy flavor, I like to use:

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

A tiny pinch of salt to round it out

Want to change things up? Add a dash of ground cloves or cardamom. Just keep the spice in balance so it doesn’t overpower the gentle flavor of the pears.

Smooth or Chunky? It’s Totally Up to You

You can mash the cooked fruit with a potato masher for a more rustic, chunky sauce—or use an immersion blender or even a regular blender if you like things silky-smooth.

You could even use a food mill or blender or food processor when making a big batch to freeze for later. Just let the sauce cool slightly before blending, and be careful with the hot liquid.

How to Store, Freeze, or Can Your Apple Pear Sauce

Once your sauce is done, let it cool to room temperature, then scoop it into jars, pint jars, or any airtight container.

In the fridge, it’ll keep for about a week. If you want to make a big batch, this freezes well—just make sure to leave a little headroom in your container so it doesn’t crack as it expands.

Want to preserve it longer? You can use a water bath canner to make it shelf stable. Just be sure to follow safe canning guidelines—especially if you're planning to give it as gifts!

Is It Healthy? Here’s the Nutritional Lowdown

This pear applesauce is full of real-food goodness: vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants from both pears and apples. With no refined sugar and just a touch of spice, it’s a wholesome choice for nearly any diet.

It’s naturally gluten free, vegan, and easy to make low-carb or sugar-free depending on your sweetener. You can also check the full nutritional information by plugging your ingredients into a calculator if you’re tracking.

Ways to Enjoy Apple Pear Sauce All Week Long

Don’t just stop at spooning it out of the jar! Here are a few of our favorite ways to use this easy sauce recipe:

• Try spooning it over Apple Pie Pancakes for a delicious breakfast treat.
• This apple-pear sauce makes a cozy topping for breakfast dishes like Maple Apple Oatmeal.
• Fruit sauces also pair beautifully with meat – just like in my Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Apples.
• Use it to sweeten yogurt or cottage cheese
• Swirl it into muffins or quick breads (it can even replace oil or butter in some recipes!)
• Pair it with crispy latkes for a festive treat
• Stir it into applesauce-based baking recipes like cakes and granola bars