Name: Pumpkin Butter
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H30M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT2H35M0.000S
Yield: 4 cups
Ingredients: Two 15-ounce cans pure pumpkin puree; 1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice; 1/2 cup light brown sugar; 1/3 cup maple syrup; 2 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; Kosher salt

Article by Emily Saladino

This pumpkin butter recipe only calls for a short list of pantry ingredients—many of which are customizable—and most of the cooking is hands-off. While commercial pumpkin butters can taste overly sweet or artificial, the Food Network Kitchen team designed this recipe to let the wholesome flavors of pumpkin and spices shine through.

How to Make Pumpkin Butter Like a Pro

Not only does this recipe for pumpkin butter make your entire kitchen smell deliciously autumnal, but you can also tweak many of the ingredients to taste.

Start with pumpkin puree. The Food Network Kitchen team recommends making this recipe with canned pumpkin puree rather than with pumpkin pie filling. The latter contains sweeteners and additives that can alter the taste of your pumpkin butter, and unseasoned pumpkin puree gives you more control over the finished product. If time and energy allow, you can make pumpkin puree at home, too.

Use brown sugar and maple syrup for rich fall flavors. Brown sugar consists of granulated sugar mixed with molasses, so it gives this pumpkin butter recipe deeper, caramelized flavors and more moisture than white sugar. Similarly, maple syrup has warmer notes than similarly viscous sweeteners like honey or agave nectar.

Customize the spices. Our recipe developers love the autumnal mix of ground cinnamon and allspice in this pumpkin butter recipe, but you can add or substitute equal amounts of ground ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, or a combination.

Swap in apple juice or cider. Using apple juice will make your recipe for pumpkin butter taste slightly sweeter than apple cider, which has earthier, tangier flavors. Either works in this recipe for pumpkin butter.

The Difference Between Pumpkin Butter and Pumpkin Seed Butter

This pumpkin butter recipe starts with canned pumpkin, whereas pumpkin seed butter typically uses roasted and shelled pumpkin seeds. As a result, the flavor and consistency of pumpkin seed or pepitas butter is more akin to all-natural peanut or almond butter than this pumpkin butter recipe, which is thick, creamy, and richly spiced.

Pumpkin Butter Uses

Spread this pumpkin butter on toast, muffins, pancakes, or any other baked good to instantly give it fall-forward flavors. Or add a spoonful to an espresso or cup of hot coffee with milk for a twist on a pumpkin-spiced latte.

This recipe for pumpkin butter also makes a great edible gift: Spoon some into a jar and wrap it with a ribbon or kitchen twine.

Recipe courtesy of Emily Weinberger for Food Network Kitchen

Pumpkin Butter

Level: Easy

Total: 2 hr 35 min (includes chilling time)
Active: 30 min

Yield: 4 cups

A few pantry ingredients and one pot are all you need for a dreamy pumpkin spread for morning, noon and night snacking pleasure. As a bonus, it will make your kitchen smell of fall like nothing else! Pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) is simmered with fragrant pumpkin-pie spice and cinnamon and then sweetened with maple syrup and brown sugar. Spread the butter on toast and muffins or try adding a spoonful to your cup of joe for a twist on a pumpkin-spiced latte. Spoon some into a jar and wrap it up with a thoughtful note for an edible gift.