Homemade Pumpkin Butter Recipe {+VIDEO}

Pumpkin lovers will enjoy this quick and easy Pumpkin Butter recipe, it’s like pumpkin pie in a jar. This lightly sweetened spiced pumpkin spread is packed with warm fall flavors and makes a tasty topping for bread, biscuits, waffles, oatmeal, yogurt and so much more.

There are so many great pumpkin recipes out there, it’s such a versatile ingredient!  From pumpkin pies and pumpkin cookies to pumpkin cocktails and pumpkin chili.  No doubt you can cook with pumpkin in as many ways as you can craft with pumpkins!

Why We Love Pumpkin Butter

Summer is officially over, and you know what that means….. it’s pumpkin season! Packed with pumpkin puree, spices, and a little whisky for flavor (optional), this homemade pumpkin butter is one of my favorite fall recipes!

One fall several years ago I was gifted a jar of the most delicious homemade pumpkin butter.  I’m pretty certain I polished off that jar all by myself in a matter of a few short days.  A few years later I was surprised to find out how ridiculously easy it is to make my own . Last night I made a batch while I cooked dinner…..that’s how easy it is!

pumpkin butter is:

• creamy
• perfectly sweet
• full of fall spices
• easy to make
• cheaper than store-bought
• simple to customize to your taste
• great for gifting

What is Pumpkin Butter?

Since this recipe doesn’t actually call for any butter, you may be curious about what on Earth this stuff actually is. If you think about it peanut butter isn’t actually butter either. It’s spreadable peanuts.

Pumpkin butter is basically spiced pumpkin spread. Very similar to apple butter, if you’re familiar with that.  It’s enjoyed like jams and jellies but has a creamier texture with warm spices.

You can buy this spread in the fall at pumpkin farms, farmer’s markets, and some retailers like Trader Joe’s. It’s actually so easy to make it just makes sense to save a little money and make your own.

Ingredients You’ll Need

(full printable recipe at the end of this post)

The best thing about this pumpkin butter recipe is that you probably have most of the ingredients in your spice cabinet already. With simple ingredients, you can whip up a deliciously creamy pumpkin spread in no time. Here’s what you need:

• Pumpkin puree– Make sure you are grabbing a can of pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix.
• Apple juice– You can use unsweetened apple juice if you want a less sweet pumpkin butter.
• Brown Sugar – provides a caramelized flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount to your taste.
• Pumpkin spices– Check your spice cabinet for ground ginger, allspice, ground cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Or you can use pumpkin pie spice.
• Whiskey– This is an optional ingredient. However, whiskey helps to intensify the flavors producing a truly decadent pumpkin butter.
• Lemon juice– I use fresh lemon juice. I find fresh to be better, but you can use bottled lemon juice if you choose.

How to Make Pumpkin Butter

Homemade pumpkin butter is so easy to make, you won’t just make it in the Fall. Follow the simple steps to make your own!

Combine all your ingredients: First, combine all of your ingredients EXCEPT the lemon juice in a saucepan.

Boil the ingredients: Then, bring all of the ingredients to a boil.

Simmer the mixture: After it begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Add lemon juice: Remove the pumpkin spread from the heat, and add the lemon juice and allow the mixture to cool.

Put it in a jar: Once the spread has cooled, put it in an airtight jar (Mason jar) and store it in the refrigerator. One recipe should yield about 40 ounces – so you can get about 5  eight-ounce jars.

Recipe Variations

• Replace brown sugar with pure maple syrup
• add 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• use apple cider instead of apple juice
• use unsweetened apple juice
• adjust any of the spices to your taste and liking

Recipe FAQs

What do you eat pumpkin butter with?

Pumpkin butter can be used on a variety of different foods. I tend to slather a crisp buttery Ritz cracker or a graham cracker with pumpkin butter and it’s like eating a little pumpkin pie!  Oh is it ever so good this way!. But, it is also delicious with french toast, banana bread, pumpkin bread, oatmeal, yogurt, baked sweet potatoes, in a smoothie, over ice cream, and cinnamon rolls as well.

Is it safe to can pumpkin butter?

No, it is not! The USDA recommends AGAINST canning pumpkin butter.

When you cook the pumpkin puree down into a butter, the pumpkin flesh becomes dense making it difficult for the heat to fully penetrate the contents of the jar. This means that the interior of the jar may not reach 240 degrees which is what is needed to kill botulism spores.

Do I need to refrigerate pumpkin butter?

Yes! Pumpkin butter is perishable, and you will get sick if you do not refrigerate it. Pumpkin butter can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks in a mason jar. Or freeze for up to a year. Small plastic freezer containers are perfect for this.

Kitchen Tips

Use the right kind of pumpkin: Be sure to use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Or you can make your own pumpkin puree.

Use less apple juice for fresh pumpkin puree: If you are using fresh pumpkin puree, you may not need as much apple juice. Canned pumpkin puree is much thicker. Start with ¼ cup of apple juice and add more if you need to.

Use a deep saucepan: This recipe splatters, especially in the beginning. To prevent a big mess, I recommend using a big, deep pot.

Stir often: While simmering your pumpkin butter, be sure to stir it often to prevent it from sticking or burning on the bottom of the saucepan.

Add more spices if you want: Be sure to taste it to ensure it’s to your liking. If you want a little more sweetness, you can add more brown sugar, cinnamon, or other spices.

If you only make ONE pumpkin recipe this year ………..make it this Pumpkin Butter Recipe

Originally posted in September 2011. UPDATED September 2021. We spiffed up this post with more info and better pictures! No changes to the original recipe.