Pumpkin Butter Recipe

This pumpkin butter recipe concentrates pumpkin puree into a smooth, richly spiced spread with deeper pumpkin flavor and much less moisture.

Cook it until thick and spreadable for toast and pancakes, or reduce it further for baking for plenty of pumpkin flavor without making baked goods overly soft or cakey.

A glass jar filled with orange pumpkin butter sits in front of a second jar filled with dark orange-brown pumpkin butter on a white cloth.

Why this recipe works

Cooking pumpkin puree with apple cider, maple syrup, and warm spices concentrates its sweet, earthy flavor and aroma. As excess liquid evaporates, the mixture becomes thicker, darker, and more deeply flavored.

You can tailor the texture to how you plan to use it. Stop cooking while it still has some moisture for a smooth, spreadable pumpkin butter, or keep going until it’s more concentrated for baking purposes.

That extra reduction is especially useful in baked goods. Plain pumpkin puree adds a lot of moisture without much extra flavor, which can make recipes softer and puffier than intended; pumpkin butter gives you stronger pumpkin flavor without the effects of all that extra moisture.

Two white spreaders hold scoops of orange and dark orange-brown pumpkin butter over a glass jar of orange pumpkin butter, with a darker jar behind it.

Recipe ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this recipe, including the role of each ingredient in a successful end result:

Bowls and containers labeled pumpkin spice, apple cider, maple syrup, salt, and pumpkin puree sit on a white surface.

Plain pumpkin puree: Provides the base of the butter’s structure and texture, plus much of its color. Typically orange in color and thick, canned puree varies in consistency from more watery to less and darker to lighter in color. Libby’s pure pumpkin is typically darker in color, a bit more fragrant, and less watery than store brands. But since we are cooking much of the moisture out of the pumpkin, it matters less. In our recipe for gluten free pumpkin pie, though, the quality of the pumpkin puree matters more. You can also use up the leftover pumpkin puree in my amazing gluten free pumpkin muffins.
Pure maple syrup: Adds sweetness and a rich caramel flavor and earthiness that naturally complements pumpkin flavor from the puree and the spices. Also melts smoothly into the pumpkin puree.
Apple cider: Apple cider has a richer, thicker, more complex flavor than apple juice, so it makes a more complex pumpkin butter when cooked down with the other ingredients. But you can use apple juice, or even pineapple juice, here. Some recipes use water, but that’s a missed opportunity to add flavor and aroma.
Pumpkin pie spice: A rich-tasting blend of warm fall spices cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg, heavy on the cinnamon, this is what provides much of the pumpkin aroma we love. To make your own homemade pumpkin pie spice, combine 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves, and a scant 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
Salt: Enhances and balances the other flavors.
Brown sugar: For some more sweetness, an extra layer of flavor and to help lock in moisture that won’t cook off, add some brown sugar. It’s optional.

How to make this pumpkin butter recipe (step by step photos)

Step 1: Mix most ingredients
Place the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, apple cider or juice, pumpkin spice and salt in a large, heavy-bottom pan. Stir to combine well so the mixture cooks evenly for consistent taste and texture throughout. This is how you’ll avoid any bitter pockets of concentrated spice and tasteless portions.

Step 2: Begin to cook
Cook the mixture over medium-low heat while stirring frequently for 15 minutes. This reduction will begin to cook off about half of the moisture we intend to remove, and begin to marry and concentrate the flavors. Be sure to use a large enough pot, and stir frequently, to minimize the bubbling and spurting that can burn you.

Steps 3-4: Add (optional) brown sugar and cook
To increase the sweetness and add another layer of flavor, add brown sugar here, and stir until you reach your desired thickness, between 5 and 15 minutes more. Adding brown sugar after much of the cooking prevents much of the issues with burning the mixture is prone to.

The longer you cook, the more moisture from the pumpkin and cider or juice will evaporate. Continue to stir to avoid any burning, and gauge how much moisture remains in the pan, adapting your cooking time accordingly. You can also lower the temperature to slow things down.

Steps 5: Cook for eating
If you’d like to serve the pumpkin butter as a condiment for spread, dipping or topping, cook it down less, like you see in Step 5. The mixture will still glisten with moisture, and will seem smoother and spreadable. Be sure to taste it, and if it’s too concentrated or even bitter, mix in more apple cider or juice slowly to restore it.

Step 6: Cook for baking
If you plan to bake with the butter, continue to cook off more moisture until the mixture has no more visible moisture and is a darker orange-brown color. Pumpkin puree alone has more moisture and less flavor than we would generally like in baking, making baked goods too cakey and puffy.

To begin with a whole pumpkin

You can begin by roasting a whole pumpkin rather than opening a can of pumpkin puree to make this recipe. Small sugar pumpkins are inexpensive during the fall baking season are easy to cut in half, pierce the skin, then roast each half, cut side down so they don’t dry out, until tender. Scoop the flesh out and puree it in a food processor or blender.

Make the most of your pumpkin, then, and rinse, dry, sprinkle and toast those pumpkin seeds (instructions below in the recipe). They’re ridiculously good for you, and my kids loved them even when they were small and extra picky.

Ingredient substitutions

Pumpkin puree

Most pure packed pumpkin is made with another winter squash, not pumpkin. Butternut squash works well, but its baked and pureed flesh will be less orange than had you used a sugar pumpkin.

You will need a starchy winter squash, though, that has flesh that is similar in texture to pumpkin, and ideally something with some flavor, which is why I don’t recommend trying acorn squash (not enough flavor) or spaghetti squash (wrong texture). Even kabocha squash should work as a substitute for pumpkin, as it’s similar in texture but even a bit sweeter and more fragrant than pumpkin.

Maple syrup

If you don’t have maple syrup, you can try using honey, but honey is much thicker and more viscous with a heavier and distinctive flavor. Try using 3 tablespoons instead of 1/4 cup honey, and add a bit more apple cider or juice.

You can also try using granulated coconut palm sugar, and add more cider to compensate for the lack of moisture. You’re reducing the moisture by cooking the mixture, but you want to be able to cook the pumpkin puree for long enough to concentrate it without burning it.

Apple cider/apple juice

If you can’t have apple cider or apple juice, you can try using pineapple juice in its place. Pineapple juice is slightly more acidic than apple juice, but it adds really nice complexity to the pumpkin butter. If you hate the taste of pineapple, though, try white grape juice instead.

Two glass jars hold orange and dark orange-brown pumpkin butter on a white cloth, with wooden spoons beside them.

How to use pumpkin butter in baking

Once you make your own pumpkin butter or buy a jar of it, you’ll want to find as many ways as possible to use it. Here are some of the best recipes on the blog that make really good use of all the delicious, flavorful pumpkin butter:

Gluten free pumpkin pancakes

These gf pumpkin pancakes are super flavorful and hearty, but still fluffy and too delicious to resist. This recipe calls for 5 ounces of pumpkin butter, which is just over 1/2 cup in volume.

Gluten free pumpkin pancakes

Gluten free pumpkin cornbread

A hint of festive pumpkin pie spice and 6 ounces of pumpkin butter make this moist and tender gf cornbread really special. Serve it with a pat of butter and some maple syrup, or plain alongside a steaming bowl of chili.

Gluten free pumpkin cornbread

Iced gluten free pumpkin scones

These gf pumpkin scones have the delightfully crumbly, but moist, crumb of all good pastry. Made with the customary 5 ounces of pumpkin butter, they put those “regular” Starbucks scones to shame!

Iced gluten free pumpkin scones

Gluten free pumpkin cinnamon rolls

Soft, fluffy, and filled with pumpkin flavor, these still have the texture proper cinnamon rolls thanks to the richness of 5 ounces of pumpkin butter without all the extra moisture of plain pumpkin puree.

Yeast free gluten free pumpkin cinnamon rolls

Gluten free pumpkin oatmeal cookies

These cookies have the satisfying bite and chew of traditional oatmeal cookies plus the added fall flavor and aroma that only 1/2 cup of pumpkin butter can provide.

CLICK FOR RECIPE

Gluten free pumpkin chocolate chip squares

Picture the chewy, satisfying texture of blondies but with all the warm spices and deep flavor of 7 ounces of pumpkin butter, and you’ve got these gf pumpkin squares. An easy alternative to pumpkin pie!

CLICK FOR RECIPE

Can I buy pumpkin butter?

Yes! Trader Joe’s markets usually sell a jar of lovely pumpkin butter during the fall and holiday seasons. Green Jay Gourmet brand also makes gluten free pumpkin butter. Stonewall Kitchen Maple Pumpkin Butter is also gluten free, and really delicious. Be sure you’re not buying pumpkin flavored nut butter; this is a fruit butter, not a nut butter.

Storage instructions

Due to the relatively low moisture content and high sugar content, stored in a sealed glass container, the pumpkin butter will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. For longer storage, I recommend freezing it in an ice cube tray, then in a sealed freezer-safe bag so you can defrost only what you intend to use.

Do not can this recipe

This recipe is not properly formulated to be canned in a shelf-stable way. In fact, homemade pumpkin butter cannot be canned safely at home since it is not acidic enough.

A glass jar filled with pumpkin butter sits surrounded by iced triangular pumpkin scones on brown parchment paper.

To roast a fresh pumpkin

If using a regular sugar/baking pumpkin, preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Remove the stem and, with a large, sharp knife, cut the pumpkin in half through the middle. Scoop out all the seeds (see Recipe Notes for toasting the seeds).
Place the pumpkin halves, cut side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Place in the center of the preheated oven and bake until the pumpkin halves are fork-tender and the flesh has begun to shrink away from the skin (about 45 minutes).
Remove from the oven and allow to cool before scooping out the flesh and pureeing in a blender or food processor until smooth.

To make the pumpkin butter

In a large heavy-bottom stockpot, combine the pumpkin puree with the maple syrup, apple cider (or juice), pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
Mix to combine well and then simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes. Add the optional brown sugar, and stir to combine.
Continue to cook until done. The additional cooking time will vary based on how you plan to use it, and the initial moisture content of your puree.
Stirring will keep the mixture for splattering, as will cooking in a large pot.

For eating

If you plan to eat the puree as is, rather than baking with it, continue to cook for about another 5 minutes or until it reaches its desired consistency and taste. It should glisten in the light. If it’s thickened too much or tastes too strong, mix in more apple cider or juice to restore the consistency and taste.

For baking

If you plan to bake with the butter, continue to cook until the mixture is reduced by about half and darkened in color, about another 15 minutes.
Allow the pumpkin butter to cool completely before baking with it. Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator until ready to serve or use.

For pumpkin pie spice
To make your own homemade spice blend, combine 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon + 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger + 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice + 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves + scant 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
To toast pumpkin seeds
Rinse the seeds to remove all traces of pumpkin flesh. Pat them dry with paper towels, toss them with plenty of kosher salt.
Spread them in an even layer and toast them in a dry cast iron skillet over medium heat or in a 300°F oven until lightly golden brown and fragrant.