Pumpkin Butter

5 from 1 vote
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This rich and spiced pumpkin butter recipe will elevate any dish with fall flavors! Perfectly sweetened and infused with warm spices, it’s the ultimate spread for toast, pancakes, waffles, or even stirred into your favorite drinks.

Homemade pumpkin butter in a glass jar.

Recipe Science

  • When heated, the pumpkin butter’s natural sugars caramelize, adding a rich depth of flavor with hints of toffee and spice.
  • Lemon juice balances sweetness and acts as a natural preservative, enhancing flavor and extending freshness.
  • Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and vanilla extract infuse warm, sweet flavors, giving it a pumpkin pie-filling taste.

Why It Works

Craving the warm, cozy flavors of fall? In just 20 minutes, you can whip up this rich, spiced pumpkin butter—perfect for adding to everything from toast to lattes! By making it yourself, you can control the ingredients for a healthier and fresher alternative to store-bought versions.

This quick cooking time transforms basic ingredients into a delicious spread with a creamy texture packed with flavor. The sugars caramelize as the mixture simmers on the stovetop, and the spices release aromatic compounds. This makes a large batch to use in various dishes or share with loved ones for an edible gift!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients needed to make this pumpkin butter recipe.
  • Pumpkin: The pumpkin puree acts as the base, providing a rich source of fiber and natural sweetness. Its neutral flavor makes it ideal for flavoring a delicious spread.
  • Sweeteners: Brown sugar and maple syrup contribute different types of sugars—sucrose, glucose, and fructose—both of which enhance sweetness while adding depth of flavor. Brown sugar contains molasses, adding a caramel-like taste.
  • Citrus: The acidity from the lemon juice balances the sugar’s sweetness. The citric acid in the lemon is also a natural flavor enhancer and food preservative, prolonging the freshness of the pumpkin butter.
  • Apple Cider: You can use regular or sparkling apple cider. Apple cider adds malic acid for a bright, fruity note and extra sweetness. I also add this to my apple butter recipe.
  • Flavoring: I use a combination of ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. The pumpkin pie spice blend and vanilla extract introduce aromatic compounds that elevate the dish’s warm, sweet, baked taste, similar to pumpkin pie filling.
  • Salt: Salt, though used sparingly, enhances the flavor of the pumpkin and spices, giving the mixture a more rounded taste.

See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).

Ingredient Substitutions

This homemade pumpkin butter recipe is easy to customize! Try these delicious options:

  • Pumpkin Swaps: Roast the gourds to make homemade pumpkin puree. Save the seeds to make roasted pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack! Try butternut squash or sweet potatoes for a similar thick and fibrous consistency to make the spread.
  • Sweetener Substitutes: Use honey or agave instead of maple syrup. Try dark brown sugar for a more intense molasses note. Turbinado, coconut sugar, and muscovado sugar are good swaps for brown sugar.
  • Fruit Juice: Use apple juice for a lighter color and sweeter taste. Try adding orange or pineapple juice for a more tangy flavor. Water can be used, but it will be more bland.
  • Citrus: Add a squeeze of lime or orange juice instead of lemon juice.
  • Spices: Try adding cardamom for a sweet, floral note. Add a crack of black pepper. I do this for pumpkin pie recipe for a hint of lingering spice.

How to Make Pumpkin Butter

All the pumpkin butter ingredients in a saucepan.

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients 

Whisk the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, apple cider, maple syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and salt in a medium saucepan.

Orange pumpkin puree after mixing with a whisk.

Whisk until combined.

Pumpkin puree in a pot with a spoon.

Step 2: Simmer the Pumpkin Butter 
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. Simmer for about 20 minutes; stir frequently to prevent scorching and ensure even cooking.

During this time, water evaporates, concentrating the flavors and thickening the mixture. Taste and adjust with more sweetener or spices to fine-tune the flavor balance as desired. For an even smoother consistency, puree in a blender or food processor.

Ingredient Chemistry: As the temperature rises, the heat initiates the Maillard reaction and caramelization, especially in the sugars from the brown sugar and maple syrup. This process breaks down the sugars, creating rich, complex flavors with hints of toffee and butterscotch. The caramelized sugars add a deep, slightly nutty flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the pumpkin mixture.

Pumpkin butter spread on a piece of toast.

Step 3: To Serve 
Serve the mixture warm to enjoy its rich, freshly developed flavors, or let it cool completely for a thicker, more concentrated consistency. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container to prevent moisture loss and prevent it from absorbing any unwanted odors in the refrigerator.

Pro Tip: Storing the pumpkin butter in the fridge helps preserve the flavors while maintaining its freshness for 2 weeks. The spread can also be frozen for up to 1 month.

Ways to Use Pumpkin Butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pumpkin butter made of?

A combination of pumpkin puree, sweeteners, a liquid like apple cider, lemon juice for balance, and flavorings like pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and salt. It’s cooked on the stovetop to concentrate the flavors and create a thick spread. It can also be prepared in the slow cooker.

What do you do with pumpkin butter?

Pumpkin butter is incredibly versatile! You can spread it on toast, muffins, or biscuits for a quick and flavorful snack. It also makes a delicious topping for pancakes, french toast, waffles, Greek yogurt, or oatmeal. Add as a filling for pastries and desserts. Mix it into smoothies or hot drinks like a latte or hot chocolate for a seasonal twist. It’s a great way to add fiber and flavor to your favorite recipes!

What is the difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin butter?

Pumpkin puree is cooked, mashed pumpkin with no added ingredients. It offers a mild flavor and smooth texture and is often used in pumpkin recipes. Pumpkin butter, however, is made by simmering pumpkin puree with sweeteners and spices until it thickens and the flavors concentrate. The result is a sweeter, more flavorful spread with a caramelized, spiced taste.

More Pumpkin Recipes

If you tried this Pumpkin Butter Recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!

Pumpkin Butter Recipe

Pumpkin butter is a delicious and versatile spread that can be enjoyed on toast, in yogurt, or even used as a filling for pastries.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings 14 servings
Course Condiment
Cuisine American

Ingredients 
 

  • 29 ounces canned pumpkin puree
  • ¾ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup apple cider, or juice
  • ¼ cup maple syrup, or honey
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions 

  • Combine the Ingredients – In a medium saucepan, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, apple cider, maple syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and salt.
  • Simmer the Pumpkin Butter – Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat to low and simmer. Cook, frequently stirring, for 20 minutes or until thickened. Taste and season with more sweetener or spices as dersired.
  • To Serve – Serve warm or cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Recipe Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Recipe Yield:  About 3 ½ cups
  • Serving Size: ¼ cup
  • Pumpkin Substitutes: If a large 29-ounce can is unavailable, use two 15-ounce cans of pumpkin puree. Alternatively, use 3 cups of fresh pumpkin puree made from scratch.
  • Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend: Combine 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ginger, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, teaspoon allspice, and teaspoon cloves.
  • Smoother Texture: Puree the pumpkin butter in a blender or food processor.
  • Storing: Store the cooled pumpkin butter in an airtight container or glass jars in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Freeze for up to 1 month.

Nutrition Facts

Serves: 14 servings
Calories 88kcal (4%)Carbohydrates 22g (7%)Protein 1g (2%)Fat 0.2gSaturated Fat 0.1g (1%)Polyunsaturated Fat 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat 0.03gSodium 90mg (4%)Potassium 163mg (5%)Fiber 2g (8%)Sugar 18g (20%)Vitamin A 9140IU (183%)Vitamin C 3mg (4%)Calcium 35mg (4%)Iron 1mg (6%)

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.

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Jessica Gavin

I'm a culinary school graduate, cookbook author, and a mom who loves croissants! My passion is creating recipes and sharing the science behind cooking to help you gain confidence in the kitchen.

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2 Comments Leave a comment or review

  1. Kathie says

    If it’s your recipe, I’m sure it is FANTASTIC! Unfortunately, I’m the only one in my household who likes this. Will you adopt me?🙃😂