This is a quick and easy recipe that will show you how to make pumpkin butter in just over an hour!
Pumpkin Butter is an easy spread that can be used on everything from pancakes to dinner rolls and everything between! Make extra to give as presents, hostess gifts, or party favors during the fall months.
Pumpkin Season
The season for pumpkin everything is upon us! It seems like at the stroke of midnight on September 30th every recipe magically changes to “pumpkin spice” something. More and more that start dates seems to be Labor Day weekend, but I am not complaining.
The irony is this fixation is that most of the recipes you see are just a spice mix that goes well with pumpkin. They don’t actually have any sort of pumpkin in, on, or around them. Craziness!
Even crazier… some aren’t even pumpkin, they are actually apple pie spice.
Homemade Pumpkin Butter Recipe
This recipe is an exception. Those spices go too well with pumpkin not to have some dang pumpkin in there. Pumpkin butter is actually made with pumpkin. Real pumpkin puree folks. WOW! But wait… it isn’t butter?
What is pumpkin butter? Surprise! Pumpkin butter doesn’t contain any actual butter. It is a mix of fresh pumpkin combined with a few other ingredients.
This all depends on the recipe, but one thing is for sure, it should be smooth and velvety. When you think about it, it is more of an apple sauce type of consistency than actual butter.
If you are actually looking for pumpkin-flavored butter, then you should just mix softened butter with pumpkin puree and spices.
I like to make a homemade pumpkin spice so I can dial in the flavors that make me happy. If you don’t feel like doing that or don’t have the ingredients to do it, grab a pre-mixed jar at the store.
Ingredients
Pumpkin Butter only requires five ingredients. The trick is to let is all simmer and meld. I do this on the stove since it only needs about an hour, but some prefer to use a slow cooker because it offers low and continuous even heat. Your call, the instructions stay the same.
You’ll need:
- Pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- Apple juice- or apple cider
- Sugar – if you want a more molasses flavor, substitute brown sugar
- Maple syrup
- Spices
Next you’ll combine all of the ingredients in a large saucepan, bringing them to a low boil and then reducing heat to a very low simmer. Continue to cook for about 1 hour, stirring frequently. And that is all: super easy!
PRO TIP: You can use this same recipe to make apple butter, just substitute applesauce for pumpkin.
Smooth as Butter
Pumpkin butter has a unique texture that is nice and smooth. The way to achieve this is to use the canned stuff. Now breathe a collective sigh of relief. I wasn’t going to make you break down and cook a whole pumpkin. Who has the time?! (I did, and I usually do, but I get it.)
Throw this in the food processor for a spin if you want a silky smooth texture.
What to Serve it On
I like to serve it on scones, muffins, pancakes, waffles, toast, baked sweet potatoes, and the list goes on.
If you have something that needs a good slather of deliciousness. This is what you need!
But that’s not it! Pumpkin butter can be used in so much more than that and not just as a topping. You can make pumpkin milkshakes, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin sundaes!
Get creative those creative juices flowing and the sky will be the limit.
Looking for fun hostess gifts or party favors? This pumpkin butter recipe is your solution! Make a big batch, can them or jar them, and then decorate with lovely labels and colorful string.
Pumpkin recipes:
Pumpkin Butter
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups pumpkin puree or 29 ounce can
- 3/4 cup apple juice
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a heavy bottom sauce pan. Heat over medium-low until bubbling.
- Stir well and reduce heat to low. Continue to stir and simmer for an hour.
- Mixture will have some texture, place in a food processor to make it smooth, if desired.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
I’m so obsessed with pumpkin butter! Can’t wait to try this recipe, would be awesome with toasty bread!
I am loving how simple this is to put together! Will be trying it with pancakes!