Pumpkin Butter Recipe

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: My irresistible Pumpkin Butter Recipe is a rich, creamy, spiced pumpkin spread that’s delicious on scones, toast, pancakes and more, but it’s so good you’ll be tempted to eat it by the spoonful! Once you learn how to make your own pumpkin butter, you’ll love having a jar of this fall staple on hand to use all through the season. 

• Only 9 ingredients: It’s amazing how a handful of pantry staples come together to make this flavorful spread.
• Ready in under an hour: This homemade pumpkin spice spread comes together in less than an hour with very little hands-on work.
• Perfectly spiced: Made with fresh pumpkin puree and warm autumn spices — this is so much better than store-bought!
• Wonderfully versatile: Spread like a jam, or use as a filling or as a topping. And a jar of Pumpkin Butter is always the perfect edible gift, all through the fall and the holiday season.
• Pumpkin pie in a jar! This is a delicious spread that tastes just like pumpkin pie without the pie crust.

Pumpkin butter is a richly flavored spread made by simmering pumpkin puree, sugar, apple juice, spices, and other flavorings until thickened. Fun fact—pumpkin butter doesn’t contain any butter—it gets its name because of its creamy, spreadable texture. I adore the comforting flavors of fall, and as a pro chef, I know that my Pumpkin Butter Recipe is one of the easiest ways to add warm pumpkin spice flavor to desserts, brunch, and breakfast recipes.

If you’re craving more pumpkin recipes, you’ll love my Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, Best Ever Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Waffles, and No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 9/27/2026, to include explanations of key ingredients, ways to serve pumpkin butter, variations and mix-ins, make-ahead and storage instructions, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips. 

Table of Contents

• Tools You Need 
• Key Ingredients and Substitutes
• How to Make Pumpkin Butter
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
• Ways to Serve Pumpkin Butter
• Variations and Mix-Ins
• FAQs
• More Fall Baking Recipes to Try

Tools You Need

• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Glass measuring jug
• Medium heavy-bottomed saucepan
• Splash guard (optional)
• Wooden spoon 

Key Ingredients and Substitutes

Pumpkin purée

• Pumpkin purée gives the spread its rich pumpkin flavor and rich, smooth texture.
• You can use either my homemade pumpkin puree recipe, for the ultimate fresh pumpkin taste and texture, or canned pumpkin puree for a uniform, convenient puree.
• Please use only pure pumpkin purée and not pumpkin pie filling.

Dark brown sugar

• Dark brown sugar gives the puree a molasses, caramel sweetness.
• It’s easy to make your own brown sugar with my quick recipe.
• Substitute: You can use the same amount of light brown sugar for a milder flavor.

Apple juice

• Apple juice contributes enough liquid to help the pumpkin purée mixture cook down to a thick, spreadable texture.
• Additionally, the apple juice adds fruity flavor and natural sweetness.
• Substitute: Change up the flavor by using the same amount of apple cider for a deeper flavor, or the same amount of orange juice for a bright citrus note.

Pure maple syrup

• Pure maple sugar gives the pumpkin butter recipe a natural, rich sweetness that complements the pumpkin flavor.
• Substitute: You can use the same amount of honey, agave syrup, or golden syrup.

Cinnamon

• Cinnamon adds warm, homey flavor.
• Substitute: Use the same amount of Pumpkin Pie Spice, or Mixed Spice for a more complex, aromatic flavor.

Ginger

• Ginger adds a note of pleasant, zesty heat.
• Substitute: Use 1/4 teaspoon of allspice instead if you prefer (use less because it has a more potent flavor).

Nutmeg

• Nutmeg gives the homemade pumpkin spread a deeper flavor.

Vanilla extract

• Vanilla extract rounds out all of the flavors.
• Substitute: Use the same amount of Vanilla Bean Paste.

Salt

• Salt enhances flavors and balances the sweetness

How to Make Pumpkin Butter Recipe

1. Add ingredients to saucepan. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, apple juice, maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
2. Heat pumpkin mixture. Place over medium-low heat and stir constantly until the mixture begins to simmer.
3. Cook until thickened. Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to gently simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently until thickened and deepened in color.
4. Finish Pumpkin Butter. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Allow to cool completely before using.

FULL (PRINTABLE) RECIPE BELOW! 

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

• Use homemade or canned pumpkin puree. You can use store-bought pumpkin OR use my pumpkin puree recipe. Be careful not to use pumpkin pie filling rather than pumpkin puree, as that is very different.
• Heat puree in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. I recommend a good-quality, heavy-bottomed saucepan when making this, so the mixture doesn’t burn on the bottom of the pot while cooking for 30 minutes.
• Stir frequently. Stirring keeps the mixture from burning.
• Watch the pot. Don’t walk away while cooking, as the mixture can quickly overheat.
• Watch for splatter. This mixture will splatter as it is very thick. If you have a splash guard, use it!
• Use good-quality apple juice for this recipe. It makes a huge difference in taste.
• Cool completely. The pumpkin butter continues to thicken as it cools.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Make-ahead tips

• You can make this homemade pumpkin butter, place in an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to two weeks before serving.

How to store leftovers

• Store leftover Pumpkin Butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Ways to Serve Pumpkin Butter

Some of my favorite ways to serve Pumpkin Butter include:

• Using as filling for cinnamon rolls
• Mixing with Greek yogurt or regular yogurt 
• Serving with waffles
• Filling crepes
• Enjoying a dollop on biscuits, toast, or scones
• Topping buttermilk pancakes
• Mixing into oatmeal or overnight oats
• Using on a cheeseboard paired with sharp cheddar or goat cheese
• Swirling into vanilla ice cream for dessert
• Serving with pound cake

Pumpkin Butter Recipe Variations and Mix-Ins

Once the Pumpkin Butter is cooked, customize by stirring in one of the following ingredients:

• Orange Spice: Stir in 2 tablespoons of finely-grated orange zest.
• Chai: Replace the cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg with 2 teaspoons of your favorite chai spice blend.
• Toasted Pecans: Stir in up to 1/2 cup (2 ½ oz/71 g) of toasted, chopped nuts
• Irish Whiskey: For a grown-up treat, mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons of Irish whiskey.
• Salted Caramel: Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of my Salted Caramel Sauce.

FAQs

Does Pumpkin Butter contain butter?

• No, Pumpkin Butter doesn’t contain butter.
• The name comes from the spread’s smooth, butter consistency.

Why isn’t my homemade Pumpkin Butter thickening?

• If your homemade Pumpkin Butter isn’t thickening, continute simmering over medium-low heat. The mixture thickens as the moisture evaporates. Be sure to keep stirring so the Pumpkin Butter doesn’t burn.
• Remember that the Pumpkin Butter will continue to thicken as it cools.

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin purée?

• No, please do not use pumpkin pie filling in this recipe.
• Pumpkin pie filling is already spiced and sweetened, and will not produce the same texture.

More Fall Baking Recipes

• How To Make Pumpkin Pie
• My Mum’s Authentic Irish Apple Crumble
• Pumpkin Bread Pudding
• Apple Coffee Cake
• Apple Cinnamon Scones

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 9/27/2026, to include explanations of key ingredients, ways to serve pumpkin butter, variations and mix-ins, make-ahead and storage instructions, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips. 

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