Easy Pumpkin Butter Recipe (Trader Joe's copycat) is a quick and delicious homemade spread with spices, apple cider, and orange! Make it in two steps and enjoy it all season long!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Get ready to be OBSESSED! Today, I will show you how to make a super quick and easy (oh, so easy!) homemade pumpkin butter with ingredients you most likely already have on hand. If you ever tried Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter, this one has the same flavors but is much better because you make it easily in your own kitchen.
Make a batch and enjoy on a toasted bagel in the morning, add to your smoothie or latte, mix with cream cheese for a deliciously creamy spread or dip or just spread on crackers.
This Easy Pumpkin Butter is absolutely out-of-this-world delicious! It is perfectly spiced with pumpkin pie spice, cloves and orange! Yes, the orange zest and juice give the butter a hint of citrus that goes so well with the spices. You have to try it! If you make a batch of this delicious Easy Pumpkin Butter, I promise, you will enjoy it and make it all season long!
Ingredients:
- 100% pumpkin puree: not pie filling;
- dark brown sugar: adds a rich flavor to the butter; you can use light brown sugar with molasses;
- pumpkin pie spice: a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves;
- ground cloves: optional but recommended, cloves pair so well with citrus in this butter;
- orange: zested and juiced;
- apple cider: make sure you are not using vinegar; apple juice works too.
How to make Pumpkin Butter?
- Start by adding all of the ingredients to a saucepan.
- Whisk and simmer for a few minutes. Cool, then taste. Add more sugar if you like.
- Pour the butter into jars and keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Uses for pumpkin butter:
Whether you have a jar of homemade pumpkin butter or the store-bought kind, there are many ways to enjoy it this season. Here are just a few ideas of using pumpkin butter:
- spread on toasted bagel or bread for a delicious fall breakfast
- add a tablespoon or two to yogurt or parfait
- make a smoothie by adding pumpkin butter, milk and banana to your blender and blending till smooth.
- add a tablespoon or two to your latte for a delicious fall drink!
- spread a layer of this pumpkin butter on top of vanilla cheesecake or bars.
- mix with cream cheese for a delicious dip!
- whisk with brown sugar and half and half and cook until it has a caramel consistency.
- add to your morning oatmeal and garnish with chopped pecans
- spread on pancakes or crepes.
Recipe FAQs:
Yes! Fresh or canned pumpkin works in this recipe. If your homemade pumpkin puree has a lot of liquid, simmer it first to evaporate excess liquid.
I do not have experience with canning so I can't guarantee results.
Pumpkin butter can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Store it in a jar with a lid.
Yes! Pumpkin butter can be placed in a freezer-safe container or bag and frozen for up to 3 months.
More easy pumpkin recipes:
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Easy Pumpkin Butter
Ingredients
- 15 oz. 100% pumpkin puree NOT pumpkin pie filling
- 1 orange
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- ½ cup apple cider juice works too
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Zest and juice the orange.
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Whisk until smooth.
- Simmer on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, whisking often. Cool.
- Use right away or pour into jars and store in a fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Make sure you are not using pumpkin pie filling. The label should read "100% pumpkin puree".
- Dark brown sugar will add rich, deeper flavor to the butter. However, light brown sugar works too. You can add 1 tablespoon of molasses if using light brown sugar.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
John Paiva says
Canning pumpkin butter or mashed or pureed pumpkin is NOT recommended.
Home canning is not recommended for pumpkin butter or any mashed or pureed pumpkin or winter squash. In 1989, the USDA's Extension Service first published the Complete Guide to Home Canning that remains the basis of Extension recommendations today, found in the December 2009 revision. The only directions for canning pumpkin and winter squash are for cubed flesh. In fact, the directions for preparing the product include the statement, "Caution: Do not mash or puree."
Margaret McLane says
Can this be made with baked pumpkin?
Thanks!
Anna says
Hi Margaret! By baked pumpkin, do you mean homemade pumpkin puree? If so, then yes, that will work.
Rebecca Ellington says
Can pumpkin butter be canned?
Anna says
Hi Rebecca! I never tried canning it so I can't say. So sorry!
Nancy Jalowitz says
Can lite brown sugar work?
Anna says
Yes, you can use light brown sugar.
Krista says
I could eat this by the spoonful! Love how easy it is to make too!
eat good 4 life says
So easy and it looks decadent!
Demeter says
Love how easy this is to make! The perfect fall spread for toast, muffins, pancakes, and more!
Sabrina says
Yum! I'm going to be using this all Fall long!
Judy Lockwood says
Can this be made with Splenda brown sugar to make it sugar free?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Judy! I did not test it with the Splenda brown sugar but I think it should work. Let me know if you try it! Thank you!
Jamielyn says
YUM, this looks incredible! Need to make ASAP!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I hope you love it!
Catalina says
This is such a great idea to use apple cider and oranges! I need to try your recipe!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I hope you love it, Catalina!
Carrie R says
I just love pumpkin butter! Once the jar I have in my fridge is gone, I think I will be trying your homemade version. 🙂
Michael says
What a delicious fall recipe idea! I'm sure this would be tasty on soooooo many things!! Yum!!!
xo Michael
Dorothy says
We all love apple butter at my house. I will blow their minds with pumpkin butter!
Courtney says
This pumpkin butter is the best part of fall - love the rich and delicious flavor!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Courtney!
Connie says
I'd enjoy this on toast or even on a muffin. Love the pictures!
Cheryl Sousan says
I love to make homemade pumpkin butter......I also love to eat it on Ritz crackers - tastes like eating pumpkin pie!!
averie says
This looks so good! I want to put it on everything!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Me too! I have it on a toast every morning. 😀