This homemade pumpkin butter recipe is a sweet, warmly spiced pumpkin spread that's ready in just 5 minutes, with no cooking required! It's an easy fall favorite that's delicious on toast, muffins, and quick breads. I also use it in many of my favorite pumpkin recipes.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏱️ Ready In: 5 minutes.
- 👪 Serves: 16.
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Canned pumpkin purée, maple syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin spice, and salt.
- 🎉 Best For: Fall breakfasts, toast, quick breads, and pumpkin desserts.
- ⭐ Why It Works: Canned pumpkin is already cooked, so this version comes together without simmering. Maple syrup adds sweetness, while lemon juice, spice, and salt balance the flavor.
- ⚠️ What to Watch For: This no-cook pumpkin butter has the same consistency as traditional pumpkin butter, but a milder flavor.
I originally made this homemade pumpkin butter to use in my Williams-Sonoma Pumpkin Bars. It's a simple way to turn canned pumpkin into a sweet, spiced spread without standing over the stove.
If you love baking with pumpkin, try my Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread for a cozy fall treat, or make a batch of Homemade Pumpkin Spice to keep on hand for your favorite pumpkin recipes. You can also use this homemade pumpkin butter in my Williams-Sonoma Pumpkin Bars. For more sweet treats, browse my Dessert Recipes.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe 💛
- ⭐ No Cooking Required: Just measure, whisk , and serve. No saucepan or simmering needed.
- ⭐ Five Simple Ingredients: Everything comes together with canned pumpkin and familiar pantry ingredients.
- ⭐ Ready in 5 Minutes: An easy way to make a sweet pumpkin spread without much preparation.
- ⭐ Versatile: Spread it on toast or quick breads, or use it in my Pumpkin Bars recipe.
- ⭐ Easy to Make Ahead: Prepare it in advance and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
Ingredients You'll Need
You only need five ingredients for this homemade pumpkin butter recipe.
- Canned pumpkin purée: Use 12 ounces of plain pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling, which already contains added sweeteners and spices.
- Pure maple syrup: Adds sweetness and complements the warm pumpkin spices. Use pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup.
- Lemon juice: Adds a little tartness to balance the sweetness of the maple syrup.
- Pumpkin spice: Adds warm fall flavor. You can use store-bought pumpkin spice or my Homemade Pumpkin Spice.
- Table salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
This easy homemade pumpkin butter is delicious on toast, muffins, and quick breads. You can also use it to add warm pumpkin spice flavor to your favorite fall desserts.
- Breakfast Spread: So delicious served on with warm toast, English muffins, or biscuits.
- Pumpkin Bread Topping: Spread it over a slice of Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread.
- Pumpkin Dessert Ingredient: Use it as directed in my Williams-Sonoma Pumpkin Bars.
How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Butter
To make homemade pumpkin butter without cooking, whisk canned pumpkin purée, maple syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin spice, and salt together until evenly combined.
Step 1. Add pumpkin purée, maple syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin spice, and salt to a mixing bowl .
Step 2. Whisk until smooth and evenly combined.
Step 3. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.
1-MINUTE VIDEO TUTORIAL
Watch how to make this easy homemade pumpkin butter: Pumpkin Butter Video Tutorial.
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Expert Tips
These simple tips will help you make this no-cook pumpkin butter successfully.
- Use plain canned pumpkin purée rather than pumpkin pie filling so the sweetness and spices stay balanced.
- Whisk thoroughly to distribute the maple syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin spice, and salt evenly throughout the pumpkin.
- Refrigerate promptly in a clean, airtight container because homemade pumpkin butter is perishable.
Troubleshooting Guide
This no-cook pumpkin butter is simple to prepare, but here are a few things to know if the texture or flavor isn't what you expected.
- Spice flavor too strong? Pumpkin spice blends vary by brand. Check your blend and measure carefully when making the recipe again.
- Ingredients not evenly mixed? Continue whisking until the maple syrup, lemon juice, and spices are fully incorporated.
Storage & Make Ahead Tips
Because this pumpkin butter isn't cooked after mixing, proper refrigerated storage is important.
- Make-Ahead: Prepare the pumpkin butter in advance and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
- Refrigerate: Store in a clean, airtight container at 40°F or below and use within 3-4 days for conservative home-storage guidance.
- Freeze: Freeze in a freezer-safe container, leaving room for expansion. For best quality, use within about 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and stir before serving.
FAQs
Pumpkin purée is plain, cooked pumpkin without added sweeteners or spices. Homemade pumpkin butter is a sweet, spiced spread made with pumpkin purée. This no-cook version has a smooth, spreadable consistency and a milder flavor than traditional simmered pumpkin butter.
No. Despite its name, homemade pumpkin butter doesn't contain dairy butter. The word "butter" describes its smooth, spreadable consistency, much like apple butter.
Homemade pumpkin butter is delicious stirred into oatmeal or yogurt, spooned over pancakes and waffles, or used in fall baking. I use it in my Williams-Sonoma Pumpkin Bars and other pumpkin recipes.
No. Homemade pumpkin butter is not recommended for home canning because its thick consistency prevents reliable heat penetration during processing. Refrigerate it or freeze it instead.
More Pumpkin Recipes to Make This Fall
For more cozy pumpkin favorites, try my Williams-Sonoma Pumpkin Bars, which use this homemade pumpkin butter. My Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread is another easy fall baking recipe, and my Homemade Pumpkin Spice is useful for everything from quick breads to muffins.
Did you love this family recipe? As a small business, the greatest compliment you can give is a 5-star rating! Tap the ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ directly in the recipe card below. It helps my site grow and helps other home cooks find this nostalgic, comforting meal!
📖 Recipe
Easy Homemade Pumpkin Butter Recipe (No Cook)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz pumpkin pureé
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients. Add pumpkin purée, maple syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin spice, and salt to a mixing bowl.1 12 oz pumpkin pureé, ¼ cup maple syrup, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice, 1 teaspoon salt
- Mix. Whisk until smooth and evenly combined.
- Serve. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.
Video
Notes
- Pumpkin: Use plain canned pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling, which already contains added sugar and spices.
- Maple Syrup: Use pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup for the intended flavor.
- Flavor & Texture: This no-cook pumpkin butter has the same spreadable consistency as traditional pumpkin butter, with a milder flavor.
- Serving Ideas: Spread on toast, English muffins, biscuits, or quick breads. It's also delicious with pancakes, waffles, and oatmeal.
- Make Ahead & Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw in the refrigerator and stir before serving.
- Food Safety: Pumpkin butter is not recommended for home canning. Keep refrigerated or frozen.
Russ B says
Awesome for fall!
Seanna Borrows says
Great fall flavors, for sure. I love it in our Pumpkin Squares recipe.