Oh, fall! There’s just something so cozy about it, right? And what screams fall more than the warm, spiced aroma of pumpkin? Forget those store-bought jars, because I’m about to let you in on a little secret: making your own homemade pumpkin butter is ridiculously easy and tastes *so* much better. Seriously, this stuff is like sunshine in a jar! It’s perfect for slathering on everything, and the best part? My slow cooker does most of the work. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the most amazing fall scents!
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pumpkin Butter Recipe
Okay, let me tell you why this pumpkin butter recipe is my absolute go-to every single fall. First off, it’s SO darn easy! Seriously, you just dump everything into the slow cooker and let it do its magic. No fancy techniques, no hovering over the stove – just pure, simple goodness. And the flavor? Oh my gosh, it’s like autumn in a bite! It’s got that perfect balance of sweet pumpkin and warm spices that just makes your soul happy.
Plus, it’s incredibly versatile. I use it on everything from my morning toast and pancakes to stirring it into yogurt or oatmeal. And don’t even get me started on how amazing it is in baked goods! But honestly, one of my favorite things is how well it keeps. It makes the most thoughtful, homemade gift for friends, family, or even your neighbors. Trust me, a jar of this homemade pumpkin butter is way more special than anything you’ll find at the store!
Simple Ingredients for Perfect Pumpkin Butter
The beauty of this recipe is that it uses ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, or can easily grab at the store. It’s all about those classic fall flavors! We start with two 15-ounce cans of pumpkin puree – make sure it’s just plain pumpkin puree, not the pie filling, okay? We want that pure pumpkin goodness.
For sweetness and that lovely caramel note, we’re using a mix of brown sugar and white sugar. I like to pack my brown sugar nice and tight! Then come the spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. This blend is what gives our pumpkin butter that signature warm, cozy flavor. You can totally play around with these, but this is my tried-and-true combo. We’ve also got a cup of apple cider – it adds a subtle fruity depth and helps thin things out a bit while it cooks down. And finally, a little splash of lemon juice at the end. It might seem weird, but it brightens everything up and helps preserve that gorgeous color!
Essential Pumpkin Butter Ingredients
- Pumpkin Puree: Two 15-ounce cans, make sure it’s 100% pure pumpkin, not pie filling.
- Apple Cider: About 1 cup, for moisture and a hint of fruitiness.
- Brown Sugar: Packed, for that deep, caramel sweetness.
- White Sugar: Just a bit to round out the sweetness.
- Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger – the heart of fall flavor!
- Lemon Juice: A tablespoon to brighten things up and help with preservation.
How to Make Easy Pumpkin Butter in Your Slow Cooker
Alright, let’s get this deliciousness cooking! Making homemade pumpkin butter is honestly one of the easiest things you can whip up, and your slow cooker is your best friend here. It lets all those cozy spices meld together perfectly without any fuss. You’re going to love how simple this process is, and the result? Pure autumnal magic!
Combining the Spiced Pumpkin Butter Base
First things first, grab your slow cooker. What you want to do is dump in your two cans of pumpkin puree. Then, pour in that cup of apple cider. Next, add in your packed brown sugar and the white sugar. Now for the best part – the spices! Sprinkle in that cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Just eyeball it if you want, but the recipe measurements are a great starting point. Give it all a really good stir until everything is nicely combined. You want to make sure there are no dry pockets of spice or sugar hiding at the bottom.
Achieving the Perfect Pumpkin Butter Consistency
Once everything is mixed, pop the lid on your slow cooker. You have a couple of options here: you can cook it on low for about 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a hurry, you can crank it up to high for 2 to 3 hours. The key is to stir it every so often, maybe every hour or so. This helps it thicken evenly and prevents anything from sticking. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s nice and thick – it should look a lot like, well, butter! It will have reduced down quite a bit from when you first started. Don’t worry if it looks a little thin right away; it’ll thicken up more as it cools.
Finishing Touches for Your Spiced Pumpkin Butter
Once your pumpkin butter has reached that perfect, thick consistency, it’s time for the final touches. Stir in that tablespoon of lemon juice. This really brightens up all those warm spice flavors and gives it a little zing. If you like your pumpkin butter super smooth, this is also the time to carefully transfer it to a blender or use an immersion blender to give it a quick whirl. Then, the hardest part: you have to let it cool completely before you put it into airtight containers for storage. Patience, my friends, patience!
Creative Pumpkin Butter Spread Ideas
Okay, so you’ve made this amazing homemade pumpkin butter – now what?! Oh, the possibilities! My absolute favorite way to use it is just slathered thick on some warm, buttered toast. It’s like a little slice of fall heaven right there. But it doesn’t stop there! Spoonfuls of this spiced pumpkin butter are divine on pancakes, waffles, or even stirred into your morning oatmeal or yogurt. It adds a cozy, spiced sweetness that just makes everything better.
And don’t forget about baking! It’s fantastic swirled into muffin batter, dolloped on top of scones, or even used as a filling for thumbprint cookies. Seriously, these pumpkin butter spread ideas are endless. It’s such a simple way to add that special fall flavor to all your favorite treats. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up that leftover pumpkin puree!
Gifting Your Homemade Pumpkin Butter
You know what makes an amazing, heartfelt gift? A jar of this homemade goodness! It’s so much more personal than store-bought. Grab some cute little mason jars – the small ones are perfect for individual gifts. I like to tie a ribbon around the lid and maybe add a little tag with the recipe name and a “Happy Fall!” message. You can even print out a cute label! These pumpkin butter gift jars are perfect for teachers, friends, neighbors, or anyone who just loves the flavors of autumn. They always get rave reviews, and it’s such a satisfying feeling to share something you made with love!
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Butter
Got questions about this delightful pumpkin butter? I’ve got answers! It’s super straightforward, but a few things pop up now and then.
How long does homemade pumpkin butter last?
Once it’s cooled completely and stored in airtight containers in the fridge, this homemade pumpkin butter should last for about 2 to 3 weeks. It’s amazing how well it keeps, but honestly, it usually disappears way before then in my house!
Can I make pumpkin butter without a slow cooker?
Absolutely! While the slow cooker is my favorite because it’s so hands-off, you can totally make this on the stovetop. Just combine everything in a large pot over medium-low heat, bring it to a simmer, and cook, stirring *very* frequently (like, every 15-20 minutes), for about 1.5 to 3 hours, or until it’s thickened. You just have to keep a closer eye on it to make sure it doesn’t scorch on the bottom. Careful stirring is key! For more dairy-free crockpot recipes, check out our collection.
Storing Your Delicious Pumpkin Butter
Once your glorious homemade pumpkin butter has cooled completely, it’s time to tuck it away! Pop it into clean, airtight containers. Jars work perfectly for this. Keep it stored in the refrigerator, and it should stay wonderfully fresh and delicious for about 2 to 3 weeks. Honestly, though, it tastes so good, it probably won’t last that long!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Pumpkin Butter
Just a little heads-up, the nutritional info for homemade goodies can vary a bit depending on the exact brands and how much sugar you use, but here’s a general idea for a 2-tablespoon serving of this delicious pumpkin butter. It’s pretty low in calories and fat, which is awesome! For more gluten-free dairy-free dessert recipes, explore our other options.
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: Around 70
- Sugar: About 15g
- Sodium: Around 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: About 17g
Amazing Homemade Pumpkin Butter in 1 Jar
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 3 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make delicious homemade pumpkin butter. This spread is perfect for fall and can be used on toast, in desserts, or as a gift.
Ingredients
- 2 (15 ounce) cans pumpkin puree
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine pumpkin puree, apple cider, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger in a slow cooker.
- Stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Stir in lemon juice.
- Let cool completely before storing in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, you can blend the pumpkin butter after cooking.
- Adjust spices to your preference.
- This pumpkin butter can be canned for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-8 hours
- Category: Condiments
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: pumpkin butter, homemade pumpkin butter, easy pumpkin butter, pumpkin butter spread, fall recipes, pumpkin butter gift, spiced pumpkin butter, slow cooker pumpkin butter, pumpkin puree recipe