Pumpkin Butter Recipe
The Pumpkin Butter Recipe is a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of fall all year round. This easy recipe transforms simple canned pumpkin into a rich and decadent spread perfect for toast, ice cream, or even as a topping for pancakes. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or simply want to indulge at home, this pumpkin butter offers a warm, comforting taste that fits perfectly into any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Preparation: With just a few ingredients and minimal hands-on time, making pumpkin butter is a breeze.
- Versatile Use: Enjoy it on toast, mix it into yogurt, or swirl it into oatmeal for extra flavor.
- Delicious Flavor: The combination of spices and sweetness creates a luxurious taste that elevates any dish.
- Great for Gifting: This homemade treat makes an excellent gift for friends and family during the holidays.
- Healthy Indulgence: Packed with fiber and low in fat, pumpkin butter is a guilt-free way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Tools and Preparation
Before you start making your pumpkin butter, gather the necessary tools to ensure a smooth cooking process.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Mixing spoon
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Jars for storage
Importance of Each Tool
- Slow cooker: Allows for hands-off cooking, letting you create delicious pumpkin butter without constant supervision.
- Mixing spoon: Essential for combining ingredients thoroughly, ensuring even flavor distribution throughout the mixture.
Ingredients
The best pumpkin butter you will ever taste! Transform canned pumpkin into decadent pumpkin butter. Great on ice cream or toast.
For the Pumpkin Butter
- 45 oz. canned 100% pumpkin puree (three 15-oz. cans OR a 29-oz. can and a 15 oz. can)
- 2 ½ cups light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 cups apple juice (cider works well too)
- 1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp. ground cloves
- ⅛ tsp. ground ginger
- 1 dash salt
How to Make Pumpkin Butter Recipe
Step 1: Combine Ingredients
Add the following ingredients to your slow cooker:
– Pumpkin puree
– Brown sugar
– Apple juice
– Ground cinnamon
– Ground nutmeg
– Ground cloves
– Ground ginger
– Salt
Stir until everything is well combined.
Step 2: Cook the Mixture
Cover your slow cooker and set it to cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours.
Step 3: Final Touches
Once cooking is complete, stir the mixture again to ensure everything is blended smoothly. Allow the pumpkin butter to cool on the counter for an hour before transferring it into jars for storage.
Enjoy your homemade pumpkin butter!
How to Serve Pumpkin Butter Recipe
Pumpkin butter is a delicious spread that enhances various dishes, bringing warmth and flavor to your meals. Here are some creative ways to serve this delightful pumpkin butter recipe.
On Toast
- Toasted Bread: Spread pumpkin butter on warm, toasted bread for a cozy breakfast or snack.
- Bagels: Add a layer of pumpkin butter on your morning bagel for a seasonal twist.
With Ice Cream
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Drizzle pumpkin butter over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
- Sundaes: Use pumpkin butter as a topping in your sundae creation alongside whipped cream and nuts.
In Baking
- Muffins: Incorporate pumpkin butter into muffin batter for added moisture and flavor.
- Pancakes: Use it as a filling between pancakes or mix it into the batter for extra richness.
Accompanying Cheese
- Cheese Platter: Serve pumpkin butter with a selection of cheeses, such as brie or goat cheese, for an elegant appetizer.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Spread some pumpkin butter inside your grilled cheese sandwich for a sweet-savory experience.
As a Dip
- Fruit Dip: Serve pumpkin butter as a dip for sliced apples and pears at gatherings.
- Pretzel Dip: Pair it with soft pretzels for a unique sweet treat.
In Yogurt
- Yogurt Parfaits: Layer pumpkin butter with yogurt and granola for a nutritious breakfast option.
- Smoothies: Blend it into smoothies for added flavor and nutrients.

How to Perfect Pumpkin Butter Recipe
Creating the perfect pumpkin butter requires attention to detail and some useful tips. Follow these suggestions to elevate your recipe:
- Use Quality Ingredients: Opt for high-quality canned pumpkin puree and fresh spices to enhance the flavors.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the mixture before cooking; you can add more brown sugar if you prefer it sweeter.
- Experiment with Spices: Feel free to adjust spice amounts or add others like allspice or cardamom for unique flavors.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cooking on low allows flavors to meld beautifully, so don’t rush the process!
- Store Properly: Keep your pumpkin butter in sterilized jars in the fridge, where it can stay fresh for weeks.
- Label Your Jars: Don’t forget to label jars with the date made—this keeps track of freshness!
Best Side Dishes for Pumpkin Butter Recipe
Pairing side dishes with your pumpkin butter can create a well-rounded meal. Here are some tasty options:
- Cinnamon Sugar Toast: Simple yet delicious, cinnamon sugar toast complements the sweet notes of pumpkin butter perfectly.
- Apple Slices: Fresh apple slices provide a crunchy contrast that balances the creamy texture of the spread.
- Pecan Pie Bars: The nutty flavor of pecans enhances the rich taste of pumpkin butter in desserts.
- Oatmeal: A warm bowl of oatmeal topped with pumpkin butter makes for a hearty breakfast option.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Their natural sweetness pairs wonderfully with the spiced flavors found in pumpkin butter.
- Cheese Biscuits: Flaky cheese biscuits served warm make an excellent vehicle for spreading this delightful topping.
- Cornbread: The slightly sweet cornbread acts as an ideal base to enjoy alongside your creamy spread.
- Savory Sausage Links: The savory taste of sausage links creates an exciting contrast when enjoyed with sweet pumpkin butter.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making pumpkin butter can be simple, but there are common mistakes that can affect the outcome. Here are some pitfalls to watch for:
- Using the wrong pumpkin puree: Always opt for 100% canned pumpkin puree and avoid pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices.
- Skipping spices: Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg are key to a delicious pumpkin butter. Don’t skip them; they enhance the flavor immensely.
- Not cooking long enough: The flavors develop best with slow cooking. Ensure you follow the cooking times for optimal taste.
- Ignoring storage tips: Proper storage is crucial. Using airtight containers will keep your pumpkin butter fresh longer.
- Overlooking consistency: If your pumpkin butter is too thick, add a bit more apple juice to achieve your desired texture.

Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container.
- Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Freezing Pumpkin Butter Recipe
- Portion into freezer-safe containers or bags.
- It can last up to 6 months in the freezer.
Reheating Pumpkin Butter Recipe
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and heat in a covered dish until warm, about 15 minutes.
- Microwave: Heat in short intervals (30 seconds) until just warm, stirring in between.
- Stovetop: Gently reheat over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about this pumpkin butter recipe:
How do I make my Pumpkin Butter Recipe thicker?
You can cook it longer on low heat, allowing excess liquid to evaporate. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yes! You can use homemade pumpkin puree, but ensure it’s well-cooked and smooth for best results.
What can I serve with Pumpkin Butter?
This spread is delicious on toast, pancakes, ice cream, or even mixed into yogurt.
Is this Pumpkin Butter Recipe healthy?
With minimal added sugar and packed with fiber from pumpkins, it offers a tasty yet healthy option when enjoyed in moderation.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin Butter Recipe is not only easy but also incredibly versatile. Perfect as a spread or topping, it’s sure to bring warmth and joy to any meal. Feel free to customize it with different spices or sweeteners according to your taste!

Pumpkin Butter Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 30 servings (1 tablespoon each) 1x
Description
Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of fall all year round with this easy Pumpkin Butter Recipe. This delightful spread transforms simple canned pumpkin into a luxurious treat, perfect for slathering on toast, drizzling over ice cream, or enhancing your favorite pancakes. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a rich and flavorful pumpkin butter that makes an excellent addition to brunches or cozy nights in. Plus, it’s a thoughtful homemade gift during the holidays! Enjoy the sweet and spiced goodness that will elevate any dish and satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients
- 45 oz. canned pumpkin puree (three 15-oz. cans or one 29-oz. can plus one 15-oz. can)
- 2 ½ cups light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 cups apple juice
- 1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp. ground cloves
- ⅛ tsp. ground ginger
- Dash of salt
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, apple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt.
- Stir until well mixed.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours.
- After cooking, stir again to blend smoothly and let it cool for an hour before transferring to jars.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tbsp (20g)
- Calories: 30
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: <1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg