You’re going to love this easy Pumpkin Butter recipe! Just add a few ingredients to your slow-cooker, let it simmer and you can enjoy this amazing fall treat all season!
Do you eat it Pumpkin Spice things year round or save them for the fall months? Either way you’re going to love this Pumpkin Butter.
You’ll probably also love my Pumpkin Swirl Brownies (they get rave reviews every time I make them!) and our Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Bars. Check out our fall recipes page to browse all of the Pumpkin goodness.
Have you guys tried the pumpkin butter from Trader Joes? It’s a big deal. I went and picked some up a few years ago to see what all the hype was about – and it really is delicious. There was something bugging me about it, though. I kept thinking about how easily I could make it myself! So when I went through half the jar in a week I decided to try making a batch.
What is Pumpkin Butter?
- Pumpkin Butter is pumpkin pureé that has been combined with spices, like cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice, apple juice or cider, and maybe a little sugar. Then it is simmered and reduced until thick and creamy.
Other fun facts
- Homemade pumpkin butter is truly just as easy to make as it is to drive to TJ’s and buy.
- It is pretty healthy and is dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan.
How to Make Pumpkin Butter in a Slow Cooker
Add all ingredients to a slow cooker. Mix well and put the lid on.
Cook on low for 2.5 – 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
You are done! Add pumpkin butter to small glass jars like these and store it in the refrigerator when not in use.
Once I made this pumpkin butter, I’ve never bought TJ’s pumpkin butter again. I like mine better, and it’s so easy that I can’t justify paying for it!
Because I like to give this to friends, I made some buffalo plaid labels to go on the jars. I went ahead and made a blank label that you could use for any fall baking or canning!
Print those by clicking here. I just love the buffalo plaid pattern these days. Anyone else?!
Can you can pumpkin butter?
Pumpkin butter is not safe to can at home, at least not if you plan to store it on a shelf at room temperature. You can read more about why here.
Instead of keeping it on the shelf, I store it in small jars with air-tight lids in the fridge or freezer. It keeps for a month to six weeks in the fridge, or a few months in the freezer!
What to put Pumpkin Butter on:
- Toast
- Rolls
- Bagels
- Crepes
- EVERYTHING
- Just eat it with a spoon
You can also put it in oatmeal or warm it up and drizzle it over ice cream. The list goes on! You can make everything you eat all day long taste like pumpkin pie, and if you can do that, why wouldn’t you?!
Let me know what you think when you try this out!
Homemade Pumpkin Butter
Ingredients
- 3.5 cups pumpkin puree (or 1 29 oz. can)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup apple juice or cider
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon or to taste
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to crockpot; stir well. Turn crockpot on low and cook for about 3 hours or until it becomes thick and smooth, stirring occasionally.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in October 2014 and has been updated with new photos, a video and more detailed information.
Can I use unfiltered apple juice instead of apple cider?
Yes!
Has anyone caned this???
Hi Kandice! I have read that pumpkin butter is not safe for canning at home, so I haven’t tried it. You can read more about it here: https://www.thespruceeats.com/is-canning-pumpkin-butter-safe-1327453
It’s very good
Thank you so much!
I used fresh pumpkin and it is beautiful! I cut the pie pumpkin in half and cleaned out the inside. Placed it cut side down on foil lined pan and baked at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Took it out of the oven and cooled to touch. The meat of the pumpkin scooped right out! I pureed it in my ninja and used 3 1/2 cups in this recipe. It turned out amazing!!! I put it in 1/2 pint jars and processed them in a hot water bath like I would apple butter.
Yay! I’m so glad you loved it. I need to try this recipe with fresh pumpkin now. Thanks for the tip!
Could I use lemon in place of the apple/cider of so will it be the same measurement?
I’m not sure it would taste the same, but you can try!
CAN YOU HOT WATER BATH IT TO MAKE IT SHELF SAFE?
Sorry, I’m not sure! I’ve never done that.
How long does your pumpkin butter stay fresh in a small gift mason jar? Can you water bath them to seal?
I’ve never sealed them to store at room temperature, so i’m not sure! Mine stays good in the fridge for about a month!
I know this is probably a strange question – does it cook with the lid on or off?
I put the lid on and just removed it to stir once in a while!
When I make apple butter, I put knives on each side of lid so steam can escape. Have also heard of using chop sticks
When I make apple butter, I put knives on each side of lid so steam can escape. Have also heard of using chop sticks
Just made my first batch and i can not wait to taste it! Thank you for the recipe!
Yay! I hope you love it!
how long does this last? do you have to keep it in the fridge?
Yes, it definitely should be kept in the fridge! Unless you can & seal it. I am not sure how long it will last in the fridge since this was my first time making it and it’s only been a little over a week but I would guess as long as it stays refrigerated maybe a month to six weeks? But if you can get it to last that long without being devoured I’d be impressed! ;)
This sounds amazing!! I definitely want to try this.
Oh my goodness… I want to have it for everything! And it’s easy enough I could see myself making it. Can’t wait to try!
You’re amazing. A recipe so easy, I could do it (and I want to!). HEB sells French toast flavored bread that tastes a little maple-y and has cinnamon in it and when toasted is the perfect easy accompaniment to this stuff!