Next Post
Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Cobbler.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Just 6 simple pantry staple ingredients, 30 minutes, and one pot or slow cooker. YES, this pumpkin butter really is that easy, and trust me, it tastes even better. It’s thick, creamy, sweet, and spiced perfectly with warm autumn spices. Spread this on your morning toast or use in your favorite baking recipes, either way this is sure to become your new fall spread.

You guys really have no idea how long I’ve been dying to share this pumpkin butter recipe with you all. I’ve wanted to make homemade pumpkin butter for years now, but just never got around to it. But when I made these cookies last November, I decided to make them using my own pumpkin butter. I finally experienced just how amazing homemade pumpkin butter really is. After that, I knew that next year I had to share my spiced pumpkin butter recipe with you guys. It really is so much better than store-bought pumpkin butter.
It’s just too good and too easy.
But that was almost a year ago! Since then I’ve used this spread in so many recipes…a few that I’ll be sharing over the next few weeks. Very, very excited.
When it comes to pumpkin, it’s not something I’ve been obsessed with my entire life. In fact, I’d never even had pumpkin pie (or pumpkin anything for that matter) up until a few years ago. Pumpkin is just another one of those foods that my parents never served my brothers and I. So I never really experienced it until I started cooking and baking myself.
Of course, once I cracked open my first can that was it. I started cooking and baking up my very own pumpkin patch worth of pumpkin recipes I realized why it is so well loved by most of the world. To date, I think my favorite recipes are the pumpkin tart in the HBH cookbook, this pumpkin fettuccine, and these pumpkin chai snickerdoodles.
Ummm, just typing those out has me so excited. Love this time of year…

When I set out to make this pumpkin butter, I had it in my head that I HAD to use real sugar pie pumpkins and not canned pumpkin. So, I spent the day working on the recipe. After going through multiple sugar pie pumpkins I finally came to the realization…I think canned pumpkin purèe is just the better, easier, way to go.
To all the bakers out there yelling at me to use real sugar pie pumpkins, and to make my own puree, I’m sorry, but not really. Sometimes life gives you shortcuts. You shouldn’t always take them, but sometimes you should. And in the case of homemade pumpkin butter, you should take this shortcut and use the canned pumpkin.
It’s better. It’s easier. And it’s essentially the very same thing, simply pumpkin. This is my favorite canned pumpkin puree, it’s perfect every time.

Since I originally started out using actual sugar pie pumpkins, a lot of the photographs include them. They don’t really belong in this post, but they were just too cute not to include. So sorry if that’s confusing, but I love the photos…
Moving along now.
As I mentioned this is one of the easiest recipes to make. It requires only 6 simple pantry staple ingredients. It can be made in thirty minutes, or you can make it low and slow in the slow cooker, either way is great.
For the ingredients, you will need the following:
– canned pumpkin, again this is my favorite.
– apple cider, homemade if you have the time.
– real maple syrup, for sweetness.
– vanilla extract, a must.
– pumpkin pie spice, for all the autumn flavors
– cinnamon, for a little extra cinnamon boost, because it’s my favorite.
You see? Pantry staples, meaning you have no excuse not to get up and make this today. Just throw everything in a pot on the stove top, or in your slow cooker, simmer until it’s thick, creamy and done.
Also, I prefer a not-too-sweet pumpkin butter. But if you’d like a pumpkin butter that’s a little sweeter, add more maple, a tablespoon at a time, until it tastes just right to you! And if you don’t like maple, I recommend using brown sugar.

Try spreading this on your morning toast with a little butter. Stir it into you coffee with a touch of whole milk and make a latte. Or use it in place of pumpkin puree in your favorite baked pumpkin recipes. So many fun options with this spread.
Highly recommend making this soon and using it throughout October, November and December. It will keep in the fridge for up to a month, AND it also makes really cute homemade gifts for friends and family. Great for the upcoming holiday season too.
Lastly, if you slow cook this all day, your house is going to smell like a pumpkin spice candle, and it’s the coziest thing ever. You just have to love this recipe!
Can I use pumpkin pie mix instead of purée?
I don’t recommend it—pie mix is pre-sweetened and spiced, which can throw off the flavor. Stick with 100% pumpkin for best control.
How do I know it’s thick enough?
Look for a glossy sheen and a spoon trail that holds for a few seconds; the mixture should mound softly instead of running.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes—the slow cooker instructions are also written below.
How should I store it? Can I can it?
Refrigerate in a clean, airtight jar; freeze for longer storage. I don’t provide canning guidance here—enjoy it fresh or frozen for safety.

If you make this spiced pumpkin butter, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

I love that you use apple cider and pure maple syrup to sweeten!! Cannot wait to try this on ALL the pumpkin baked goods this fall 🙂
YES! I hope you love this Brittany! Thank you!
would never have guessed pumpkin butter could be made, spiced too, thank you
Thank you Sabrina!
Can i substitute karo for mayple syrup, and omit the salt?
Sure! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
Yum! That sounds amazing. Do you think an Instant Pot version would work, or does it need the slow cook to get the right texture? I’m all about my Instant Pot whenever possible but maybe this is one time it wouldn’t work so well 🙂
Hey!! I think the instant pot method will be great!! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
This looks so good!! So glad you did not recommend using real pumpkin. I have learned from my own baking experiences that it is actually the worst. Such a pain to work with and so not worth it. Sugar pie pumpkins look adorable and I love the name, but they do not taste like ‘sugar pie’! Can’t wait to make this and see more of your fall recipes. Your seasonal stuff is always the best!!
Thank you so much, this is so sweet! I love the holidays, so I am just so excited for all the recipes I am sharing! I hope you love this Laura!
Wow! Looks so cozy and yummy. Me and my daughter looovvee pumpkin butter! I will have to try this. Thank you for sharing!
I hope she does love it! Thank you Jessica!
I’m with you on the purée. I think canned pumpkin is much creamier and prefer that extra smooth texture.
Thank you Amanda!
Here in Brazil make a lot pumpkin´s sweet
Sounds really good!
i never buy pumpkin pie spice, i always mix my own. recommendations on a blend?
I would do this…
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
hi! 15 ounces x 2?
can’t wait to try this.
thank you
Yes you need 2 (15 ounce) can of pumpkin. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
I hate maple syrup, what should I use instead?
Honey or brown sugar! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
I have never cared for pumpkin pie. We always had sweet potato pies and they were delicious. My mom had several restaurants in her lifetime. She was well known for her pies of all kinds.
I do make pumpkin bread/muffins but that is about all the pumpkin I care for. I did see your recipe for pumpkin snicker doodles. They really look yummy
That is so awesome! and sweet potato pie sounds amazing! Thank you so much Charlotte!
This is totally new to me – sounds great!!
Rebecca | http://www.peppermintdolly.com
I hope you love it! Thank you Rebecca!
THANK YOU for sharing this exceptional pumpkin butter recipe, and for the shortcut tip.
I am so glad you like this Liz! Thank you!
oh yumm, this looks all kinds of good!!
Thank you Ruth! I am so glad you like this!