Spiced Pumpkin Butter Recipe
Say hello to autumn in a jar with Spiced Pumpkin Butter, the sweet, silky spread that steals the show every fall. Imagine cozy pumpkin flavors, fragrant spices, and a kiss of maple syrup coming together for a spread that’s just as wonderful on morning toast as it is swirled into oatmeal. Homemade Spiced Pumpkin Butter fills your kitchen with the warmest, most inviting aroma and is a surprisingly easy treat to whip up—gone are the days of chasing down jars at the farmer’s market! It’s a pure celebration of pumpkin season that you’ll want to share with family, friends, and maybe (just maybe) keep a little extra for yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These seven ingredients are simple but deliver maximum autumnal goodness, each playing a special part in making your Spiced Pumpkin Butter irresistible. Don’t skip a thing—every one adds its own magic to the taste, texture, or that gorgeous golden-orange color!
- Pumpkin Puree: The heart of this spread, giving it its creamy texture and unmistakable pumpkin flavor—make sure you use pure pumpkin, not pie filling.
- Apple Cider: Adds depth, gentle sweetness, and a little tang that brightens the whole batch.
- Maple Syrup: For natural sweetness and that rich, slightly caramel note that makes autumn treats so special.
- Vanilla Extract: Don’t underestimate its power—vanilla rounds out all the spices, keeping everything beautifully balanced.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: The bold, aromatic blend that delivers classic fall flavor—cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice in one scoop.
- Ground Cinnamon: An extra boost of earthy sweetness, accentuating the flavors in the pumpkin pie spice.
- Kosher Salt: Just enough to make the sweetness pop and keep your Spiced Pumpkin Butter from tasting flat.
How to Make Spiced Pumpkin Butter
Step 1: Combine the Ingredients
Grab a medium saucepan and pile in the pumpkin puree, apple cider, maple syrup, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Give everything a thorough stir—this is your moment to admire that gorgeous, golden color and catch a whiff of all the inviting aromas.
Step 2: Cook and Stir
Set your stove to medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring regularly to make sure nothing sticks. The bubbling tells you all the flavors are mingling! Keep a close eye as the mixture heats up—you want everything smooth and blended, not scorched.
Step 3: Simmer Until Thick
Once those little bubbles start to rise, turn down the heat to low. Let your Spiced Pumpkin Butter simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring every so often. You’ll notice it getting thicker and glossier, transforming from sauce to spreadable goodness.
Step 4: Taste and Adjust
Now’s your chance for a taste test! If you want an extra touch of sweetness, add more maple syrup one spoonful at a time. Adjust until it’s just perfect for you—everyone’s sweetness preference is a little different.
Step 5: Cool and Store
Take your saucepan off the heat and let the Spiced Pumpkin Butter cool down completely. It’ll thicken even more as it cools. When it’s no longer warm, spoon it into sterilized glass jars and pop them in the fridge for up to a month, or freeze for up to three months so you can keep those autumn vibes going strong.
How to Serve Spiced Pumpkin Butter
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or walnuts adds a delicious crunch, while an extra dash of cinnamon or a swirl of maple syrup on top makes your Spiced Pumpkin Butter look and taste even more special. If you’re feeling fancy, try a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt or a few pomegranate arils for beautiful color and contrast.
Side Dishes
This spread shines on warm toast, pancakes, waffles, or biscuits—but don’t stop there! Stir it into your morning oatmeal, spread it over banana bread, or even serve alongside a cheese board featuring sharp cheddar and fresh fruits. The flavors pair beautifully with both sweet and savory sides.
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon Spiced Pumpkin Butter into cute mini jars for a sweet hostess gift, or layer it between pancakes for a fall-inspired stack. For brunch, try swirling it into yogurt parfaits or spreading it inside crepes. You can even use it as a filling for thumbprint cookies or as an extra touch on a dessert cheese plate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Spiced Pumpkin Butter in sterilized jars or airtight containers in the fridge. It stays fresh and delicious for up to one month, making it a perfect make-ahead spread for busy mornings or unexpected company.
Freezing
If you’ve made a big batch, freeze your Spiced Pumpkin Butter in freezer-safe containers with a little room at the top for expansion. It will keep beautifully for up to three months—just defrost in the fridge overnight when you’re ready for a taste of fall.
Reheating
To enjoy it warm, spoon out your desired amount and gently reheat in the microwave or on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently. This brings back that fresh-from-the-pot flavor and makes it extra spreadable for toast, pancakes, or biscuits.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned?
Absolutely! Homemade pumpkin puree works perfectly in Spiced Pumpkin Butter. Just be sure to drain any excess liquid so the butter thickens up nicely and doesn’t end up watery.
Is there a substitute for maple syrup?
If you don’t have maple syrup, you can use honey or agave instead. Each will slightly change the flavor, but both will give you that lovely sweetness and a silky texture.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Combine all your ingredients in a slow cooker, cover, and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. For a thicker consistency, remove the lid during the final 45 minutes to let some liquid evaporate.
Is this recipe suitable for canning?
It’s best to store Spiced Pumpkin Butter in the refrigerator or freezer. Because pumpkin butter is low-acid, it isn’t safe for home canning according to current food safety guidelines.
Can I serve this to guests with dietary restrictions?
This recipe is vegetarian and made without dairy or gluten, making it friendly for many eaters! Always check your specific ingredients for any allergens or substitutions you may need.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ll give Spiced Pumpkin Butter a try—there’s truly nothing like sharing homemade autumn flavors with the people you love. It’s quick, cozy, endlessly versatile, and always brings a bit of extra warmth to the table. Enjoy every spread, swirl, and spoonful!
Print
Spiced Pumpkin Butter Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups (32 two-tablespoon servings) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the warm flavors of fall with this homemade Spiced Pumpkin Butter. Perfect for spreading on toast, pancakes, or stirring into oatmeal, this easy recipe will fill your home with the cozy scents of autumn.
Ingredients
Pumpkin Butter:
- 2 cans (15 oz each) pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, mix pumpkin puree, apple cider, maple syrup, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Heat over medium, bring to a gentle boil, stirring often.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, simmer for 20–30 minutes until thickened. Adjust sweetness with more maple syrup if desired.
- Cool and Store: Remove from heat, cool completely. Transfer to jars, refrigerate for up to 1 month or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- For slow cooker version, cook on high for 3–4 hours, removing lid in last 45 minutes to thicken.
- Enjoy on toast, pancakes, waffles, biscuits, oatmeal, or yogurt.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 16
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 38 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
