If you love cozy fall flavors and the warmth of spices in a jar, this Spiced Pumpkin Butter Recipe will quickly become your new obsession. It captures the rich essence of pumpkin perfectly sweetened and kissed with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves to create a luscious spread that’s bursting with autumn magic. Whether you’re craving something to spread on toast, swirl into yogurt, or add depth to your favorite fall desserts, this homemade pumpkin butter is silky, fragrant, and downright irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s wonderful about this Spiced Pumpkin Butter Recipe is how simple yet thoughtful the ingredients are. Each one plays an important role in crafting that perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and tang while contributing to the creamy texture and inviting golden color of the butter.
- 2 cups fresh pumpkin puree (or canned): The star ingredient providing a velvety base with natural sweetness and earthiness.
- 1 cup brown sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness that complements the pumpkin’s mild flavor.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon: Warm and sweet spice that brings classic autumn character.
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg: Offers a subtle nutty and fragrant note to balance the spices.
- 1 tsp ground ginger: A slight hint of zing that wakes up the palate without overpowering.
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves: Intense, aromatic spice that adds depth to the flavor profile.
- 2 tbsp lemon juice: Adds brightness and tang, enhancing the overall freshness and preventing the sugar from becoming cloying.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Brings all the flavors together and intensifies sweetness without tasting salty.
How to Make Spiced Pumpkin Butter Recipe
Step 1: Combine Pumpkin and Brown Sugar
Start by placing your pumpkin puree and brown sugar into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir these two essential components until they are fully blended and begin to bubble gently. This step allows the sugar to dissolve and infuse the pumpkin with its rich sweetness, setting the stage for the spices to shine.
Step 2: Stir in the Spices and Lemon Juice
Now add the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, lemon juice, and salt. Stir everything together continuously for about two minutes, until you can smell the mouthwatering fragrance filling your kitchen. This brief sauté helps bloom the spices, enhancing their aroma and flavors so they beautifully permeate the pumpkin base.
Step 3: Simmer Until Thickened
Turn the heat down to low and let the mixture simmer gently for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally during this time to ensure nothing sticks or burns. As the water evaporates, the pumpkin butter thickens into a wonderfully spreadable consistency that’s silky and rich. Patience here rewards you with the perfect texture.
Step 4: Cool Completely and Store
Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and let your pumpkin butter cool completely. This step is crucial for the right texture and flavor development. Then transfer the cooled butter into sterilized jars or containers, ready to keep or gift. The aroma alone will have you reaching for a spoon before long.
How to Serve Spiced Pumpkin Butter Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the experience, try topping your spiced pumpkin butter with a sprinkle of toasted pecans or a dusting of extra cinnamon before serving. A drizzle of maple syrup on top brings another delicious layer of sweetness, making every bite feel indulgent and extra special.
Side Dishes
Spiced pumpkin butter is beyond versatile—you can spread it on warm biscuits or toasted sourdough for a delightful snack. It pairs wonderfully alongside creamy cheeses like brie or goat cheese, offering a sweet contrast to savory flavors. You can even dollop it on pancakes or waffles to brighten your breakfast plate with fall charm.
Creative Ways to Present
Throw a fall brunch or holiday party? Serve your Spiced Pumpkin Butter Recipe in small rustic jars tied with twine for a charming look. Spoon it into ramekins alongside an assortment of breads and fruit. You can also swirl it into oatmeal or yogurt bowls to transform simple meals into comforting seasonal treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover pumpkin butter in airtight sterilized jars inside the refrigerator. It should last up to two weeks while maintaining its vibrant flavor and smooth texture, making it perfect for quick morning spreads or last-minute additions to desserts.
Freezing
This spiced delight freezes beautifully. Portion the pumpkin butter into freezer-safe containers or silicone molds, leaving a bit of space for expansion. Frozen pumpkin butter can last up to three months and thaw quickly, allowing you to enjoy the essence of autumn anytime.
Reheating
When you’re ready to use frozen pumpkin butter, thaw it overnight in the fridge or gently warm it on the stovetop or microwave. Stir well after heating to restore the creamy consistency. Just heat enough to loosen it without cooking further to preserve those delicate spices.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin puree for this recipe?
Absolutely! Canned pumpkin puree works perfectly and is often more convenient. Just make sure it’s pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices.
Can I adjust the spices to my taste?
Definitely. The spice blend is flexible. Feel free to increase cinnamon for sweetness or add a pinch more cloves if you prefer a stronger aromatic kick. Tailor it to your personal love for warm spices.
Is this recipe suitable for canning and long-term storage?
This pumpkin butter is ideal for refrigeration and freezing but not recommended for traditional water bath canning due to its thickness and sugar content. For long-term storage, freezing is your best option.
How can I tell when the pumpkin butter is thick enough?
The butter should coat the back of a spoon thickly without running off quickly. After simmering and cooling, it will have a spreadable consistency rather than a loose puree.
Can I use this pumpkin butter in baking?
Yes! It’s fantastic as a filling or topping for breads, muffins, and even swirled into cake batters or frostings. It adds moisture, sweetness, and a wonderful spice note to baked goods.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely can’t recommend this Spiced Pumpkin Butter Recipe enough. It’s one of those magical, cozy creations that bring a little warmth to your day, no matter the season. Once you have a jar of this luscious spread in your kitchen, you’ll find endless ways to enjoy its rich flavors. Make a batch, share it with loved ones, and savor the happiness that comes from homemade goodness.
Print
Spiced Pumpkin Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Spread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Spiced Pumpkin Butter is a luscious and aromatic spread made from fresh pumpkin puree and warm spices. Sweetened with brown sugar and brightened with lemon juice, this homemade butter simmers to a thick, velvety texture perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into oatmeal, or dolloping onto pancakes. Infused with classic fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, this versatile pumpkin butter captures the essence of the season in every spoonful.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh pumpkin puree (or canned)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Combine pumpkin and sugar: In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine the pumpkin puree and brown sugar. Stir well to blend the ingredients and cook until the mixture is bubbly.
- Add spices and lemon juice: Stir in the ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, lemon juice, and salt. Continue stirring for about two minutes, allowing the spices to release their fragrant aroma.
- Simmer until thickened: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for approximately 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and encourage thickening to a smooth butter consistency.
- Cool and store: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the pumpkin butter to cool completely. Transfer into sterilized jars or containers for storage and refrigerate.
Notes
- Use canned pumpkin puree if fresh pumpkin is not available for convenience.
- Store the pumpkin butter in sterilized jars in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- This pumpkin butter is excellent spread on toast, muffins, or stirred into yogurt or oatmeal.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar to taste.
- Ensure to stir frequently towards the end of simmering to avoid burning the butter at the bottom of the pan.
