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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.

Should it be spiced cider?
Hey Gail,
Yes:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Someone just gifted a jar of this pumpkin butter to me, and I I would love to make and can some! I’m wondering if that’s possible, since it has apple cider in it (acid)? Does anyone know the answer?
Hey,
I’ve not tested canning this, but you could certainly give it a try! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Should it be 1 tsp of vanilla instead of 1 T?
Hey Colleen,
Nope, the recipe is correct, 1 tablespoon of vanilla:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Soo yummy!!!!
Just wondering though, could this be canned??
Hey Adeana,
I have not tried canning this but I assume it would work well. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
hii! im just wondering if i can halve the recipe? im the only one who’s a big big fan of pumpkin in my house and im afraid it’ll go to waste if i made the whole batch! looks so yum btw!! ?
Hey Adelaide,
Yes totally fine to halve the recipe! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if I can help in any other way! xTieghan
This was SO easy to make and SO DELICIOUS!! Made it to put in the pumpkin loaf but also my new favorite spread! Just wow
Thank you so much Catherine! xTieghan
Wow – I just finished making this and it’s so DELICIOUS ! Thank you for the great recipe.
Thank you Mary! xTieghan
Do you think using agave instead of maple syrup will mess with the flavors?
Hey Colby,
I have not tested this with agave. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I have no pumpkin puree in Germany, could I do it with an actual pumpkin?
Hey Karla,
If you used fresh pumpkin you will want to be sure it is pureed well. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I am making the pumpkin butter now and will do the cinnamon swirl choco chip pumpkin butter next. I was supposed to just buy from Trader Joe’s the pumpkin butter but they ran out of it and no word on when they will have it back. So I made your own version. The apple cider I’m using is already spiced so I didn’t put pumpkin pie spiced. I also used the slow cooker as I don’t have time to watch over it. I hope it works! Crosses my fingers on them! I will update you but so far so good!
Tieghan, any suggested adjustments you have if I were to make this with fresh roasted pumpkin purée? I love roasting and making my own purée for most of the pumpkin baked goods but want to confirm whether or not I need make any adjustments to accommodate for extra Moisture or approximate volume of the fresh pumpkin.
Hey Heidi,
I haven’t tested this, but I would follow the recipe as is. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Forgot apple cider! Can I make it without?
Hey Alyssa,
You could use apple juice with 3/4 cup of brown sugar. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Turned out great, used the slow-cooker and brown sugar. It was perfect for your pumpkin chocolate chip cookies that everyone loved! thank you!
Thank you! xTieghan
Can you use fresh pumpkin instead of canned???
Hey D,
That is fine to do, you will just want to make sure it is pureed. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Allergic to Apple Cider, anything I can use in replacement?
Love your recipes!
Hey Kersti,
I would use apple juice. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan