Sweeten up your favorite snacks and desserts with this homemade pumpkin butter recipe. It’s made with fresh pumpkins, sugar, cinnamon, and other ingredients.
It’s so easy to make with a few simple steps. Now you have a spread that’s perfect for sandwiches, or even for muffins and pancakes.
With this condiment, you can add a creamy and cozy flavor to just about anything. You can sweeten up pies, and add filling to bread, or desserts. A quick and simple way to bring the taste of the fall season onto their tables.
So if you’ve never heard of pumpkin butter before, now’s your chance to learn and have your very own pumpkin spread at home.
Homemade Pumpkin Butter – Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweeten up your desserts and snacks with pumpkin goodness.
- This makes a great breakfast condiment and you can spread it on toast.
- You now have a versatile, one-pot spread that has the flavors of fall.
- This is easy to make on the stovetop and can be finished in only a few steps.
Ingredients For Pumpkin Butter Recipe
- 2 cups cooked pumpkin (cut into small cubes)
- 3-4 cup water (plus more for boiling)
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- A pinch of ground nutmeg
- A pinch of ground ginger
- A pinch of ground cloves
How To Make Pumpkin Butter
- Peel the pumpkin, cut it into small cubes, and place them in a saucepan. Add water until it is just covered and boil for 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain and add the sugar to the pumpkins.
- Add a sprinkle of ground nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Add the maple syrup and 3 to 4 cups of water as well and mix to combine the pumpkin with the rest of the ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a boil then set the heat to low and simmer. Mash while stirring often for 20 to 30 minutes or until it has turned into a caramelized, dark brown mashed pumpkin with a thick consistency and shiny appearance.
- Let cool completely to room temperature. Use an immersion blender to turn the mash into a puree with a thick and smooth texture. Serve and enjoy!
Note:
What Is Pumpkin Butter
Pumpkin butter is a gluten-free spreadable condiment made from cooked and pureed pumpkin. It is then seasoned with spices and sweeteners are added.
A condiment that is popular during the fall and is often used as a holiday treat, known for its rich, warm flavors and versatility.
Pumpkin butter has its roots in North America where pumpkins are native. Native Americans consumed it as a fall staple and the preservation and recipes changed over time. European settlers got involved in its development and has since become a classic autumn condiment.
This pumpkin spread is characterized by its sweet and spiced flavor. The taste is comparable to pumpkin pie with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warming spices.
Its texture is smooth and spreadable similar to fruit preserves or apple butter. Lastly, it has a comforting and warm aroma that is often associated with autumn and holiday gatherings, making people feel cozy and nostalgic.
The uses of this spread are diverse. You spread it on toast, English muffins, biscuits, and other fall treats. It is also brushed on hams as a glaze, used as a dip for fruits like apples or pears, mixed with oatmeal and raisins, or even be a topping for a latte.
This fall recipe is relatively easy to make and can be prepared at home with only a few steps. While it takes some time to thicken up it’s great for those who enjoy preserves and seasonal cooking.
Tips, Variations, And Substitutions
🎃 Stevia – Aside from brown sugar you can use other sweeteners like stevia. If you want to whip up a batch of this spread and make it sugar-free use this.
🎃 Apple cider or lemon juice – This will preserve the color of your pumpkin butter. It will not affect taste.
🎃 Apple juice – Add this for another sweet layer. Note that this can affect the level of sweetness of your pumpkin butter. Also as this is liquid you may reduce the water needed for this recipe.
🎃 Pumpkin pie spice – You can create your own pumpkin spice or create your own blend at home. Replace the spice mix used here if you already have this on hand.
Canned Pumpkin vs. Fresh Pumpkin For Pumpkin Butter
Both canned puree and freshly cooked pumpkin can be used to make pumpkin butter, and the choice between the two largely depends on your preferences and the time you’re willing to invest.
There are a lot of factors to consider like saving time, convenience, freshness, flavor, seasonality, and more.
Canned pumpkin seems to be the easier path to take as it cuts down on cooking time, is readily available, and has a consistent flavor. But they also have preservatives and unwanted added seasoning.
On the other hand, using fresh purée has more health benefits, and is more natural, but also requires more work.
In summary, there is no “better option” when choosing fresh pumpkin puree instead of canned or vice versa. Pick the one that fits your cooking style. Each of them has its own benefits and works great for all pumpkin recipes.
Other Pumpkin Recipes To Try
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Pumpkin Butter Made Of?
It’s made of pumpkin puree (canned or fresh) mixed with brown sugar (or other sweetener) and spices.
What Spices Are Usually Used For This Recipe?
You can add cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and other warming spices can be used.
What Is Pumpkin Butter Used For?
You can add a dollop of this on bread, meat, pastries, desserts, or even beverages. This will add a nutty, creamy, and cozy taste to your favorite food.
Homemade Pumpkin Butter (with Fresh Pumpkins!)
Ingredients
- 2 cup cooked pumpkin (cut into small cubes)
- 3-4 cup water (plus more for boiling)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch ground ginger
- 1 pinch ground cloves
Instructions
- Peel the pumpkin, cut it into small cubes, and place them in a saucepan. Add water until it is just covered and boil for 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain and add the sugar to the pumpkins.
- Add a sprinkle of ground nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Add the maple syrup and 3 to 4 cups of water as well and mix to combine the pumpkin with the rest of the ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a boil then set the heat to low and simmer. Mash while stirring often for 20 to 30 minutes or until it has turned into a caramelized, dark brown mashed pumpkin with a thick consistency and shiny appearance.
- Let cool completely to room temperature. Use an immersion blender to turn the mash into a puree with a thick and smooth texture. Serve and enjoy!