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If you love apple butter, you’re going to LOVE our Maple Pumpkin Butter recipe. This incredible spread has a velvety smooth consistency, is well spiced and loaded with flavor. It’s delicious spread on toast, bagels, biscuits, pancakes or my favorite, craggy English Muffins.
Quick and easy to make
This recipe is practically fail-proof. All you have to do it combine the ingredients in a saucepan, stir, cover and cook for 30 minutes. That’s it!
Ingredients Overview
This recipe couldn’t be easier to make and you probably already have everything on hand!
- canned pumpkin puree
- unsweetened apple juice (I use Mott’s brand)
- pumpkin pie spice or pumpkin spice
- granulated sugar or light brown sugar
- Grade A maple syrup
- vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
How to make Pumpkin Butter
Combine all the ingredients in a deep, heavy-bottomed medium saucepan (affiliate link). Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture comes to a boil.
Place the lid over the saucepan leaving it tilted to vent. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Storing Pumpkin Butter
Store the butter in airtight jars (affiliate link) in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Our recipe makes such a small batch you won’t have any trouble using it up in a few weeks. However, you can always freeze a jar or two for up to 3 months.
Canning Pumpkin Butter… not recommended
Traditional canning methods are not recommended for pumpkins or squash. To read more about why you should not can pumpkin see this article; Canning 101: Why Pumpkin Butter Can’t be Canned.
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This recipe makes about 3 cups, or 4 small jars
These are the perfect size to gift to your favorite family members, or your pumpkin loving friends. The base liquid is unsweetened apple juice so even non-pumpkin folks should enjoy it too. It has plenty of pumpkin flavor however it’s tempered a little by the maple syrup, spices and apple juice.
I used pumpkin pie spice which is easy to find starting in September. You can also make your own Pumpkin Pie Spice blend using your favorite recipe or this ONE, which I love.
Luscious Maple Pumpkin Butter
Similar to apple butter, this spread is smooth and light, and practically melts in your mouth. I can’t wait to hear how much you love it stirred in your morning oatmeal with a few toasted pecans!
Our Maple Pumpkin Butter is not watery and won’t drip from the spoon. It has a velvety consistency and fantastic taste. What can I say? We love it!
Our favorite since 2017
Over the years I’ve made many recipes for pumpkin butter but this is my absolute favorite. The maple flavor is subtle and just enough to enhance the pumpkin.
I can’t think of an easier way to use a can of pumpkin puree. This recipe truly comes together in less than 5 minutes, then simmers for 30. That’s it!
Maple Pumpkin Butter
Ingredients
- 15 ounce can pure pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
- 1 cup unsweetened apple juice (plus extra for thinning if needed for desired consistency)
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ยฝ cup granulated sugar (110g) or brown sugar
- ยผ cup pure Maple syrup Grade A (2oz)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a heavy-bottomed, deep, medium saucepan. Cook on medium-high until it comes to a soft boil. Place a lid over the pan, leaving it tilted to vent. You want it open just enough to prevent a mess on the stove top. The mixture will be very thick and splatters like spaghetti sauce. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add additional apple juice if the mixture is too thick.
- Cool and store in airtight jars in the refrigerator up to two weeks. Alternatively, you can freeze the pumpkin butter. Traditional canning methods are not recommended for preserving pumpkin butter.
Recipe Notes
- Serving suggestions: spread on toast, biscuits, scones, pancakes, waffles or swirl in oatmeal. Also great to use in recipes calling for pumpkin butter.
- Recipe makes 3 cups of pumpkin butter
- You can use 1/3 cup of sugar instead of 1/2 cup for a slightly less sweet spread.
Nutrition
More Great Pumpkin Recipes
If you’re looking for more pumpkin recipesย you’ll find all our favorites neatly stacked together just for you!
Pumpkin Butter Cinnamon Buns
Swirled with pumpkin butter and topped with a pumpkin pie spiced cream cheese icing and a few chopped pecans. The perfect weekend baking project!
View this RecipePumpkin Macarons with Pumpkin Butter Buttercream
Delicious and light pumpkin meringue cookies.
View this RecipeSoft Ginger Molasses Cookies
Soft and chewy and well spiced old-fashioned cookies with a deliciously warm spiced buttercream frosting.
View this RecipeIf you make this recipe, please leave a star review. Your feedback is very important to us and greatly appreciated!
Originally published October 2017, updated August 2024
Sandra
What is the best way to freeze this pumpkin butter?
Thanks for the great recipes!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Sandra. Simply freeze the pumpkin butter in a jar leaving a little head room for it to expand. Enjoy!
Pauline Gudas
I can’t wait to make this. It has pumpkin and maple two of my favorite things. Would apple cider work in place of the apple juice?
Tricia Buice
Hi Pauline. I haven’t tested it but I’m sure it will. It’s the perfect substitution. Let us know how it turns out! This stuff is so good ๐
Allison
Recipe sounds delish! Would apple cider work in the place of apple juice? I have a whole gallon I need to use.
Tricia Buice
Hi Allison – yes I think apple cider would work too – and I bet it tastes wonderful ๐ Enjoy and thanks for the great question!
2 sisters recipes
I never had pumpkin butter before or ever made any fruit butters, but yours sounds delicious! I have to put this one on my list of recipes to try- and soon!
And your garden must by amazing! Happy Sunday!
Tricia Buice
Oh then you must try this Anna! Fruit butters are so delicious, and fruity, and in this case it’s pumpkin-licious!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
I’ve never had homemade pumpkin butter, it really must be delicious.
Tricia Buice
We love it Karen – glad to hear from you again. Hope you are well!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Absolutely loving the addition of maple to this pumpkin butter! Everything is better with a bit of maple ๐
Tricia Buice
I can only imagine how terrific your local maple syrup must be Jennifer. I bet it does make everything better!
Monica
You’ve got me feeling all autumnal right now, Tricia. What a great way to celebrate fall. I always think summer when I think about eating “seasonally” and it’s easy to forget that we can really celebrate each season through food. This is such a neat recipe and it looks like a wonderful spread for breakfast. Also, your garden sounds amazing!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Monica! Love pumpkin season around here – haha ๐ Have a terrific weekend!
Abbe@This is How I Cook
I can smell it from here! Sounds luscious and would be perfect for gift giving-or me!
Tricia Buice
You are right Abbe – it smelled amazing while cooking. Such a treat! Welcome back ๐
Susan
I have never made pumpkin or any kind of fruit butter. This recipe definitely has me wanting to try making some soon, Tricia!
Tricia Buice
Oh I hope you’ll try it Susan. Fruit butter is so rich and smooth, and not as sweet as jam and jelly. Let us know what you think if you get the chance to make it!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
I have been obsessed with pumpkin treats lately…from salad, bread, cake, to dip…just can’t get enough of them. Your pumpkin butter looks fabulous, Tricia.
Tricia Buice
It’s the season Angie! We love it too – and it’s always on my mind lately. Have a terrific weekend ๐
cheri
Wow! 20 mini pumpkins, that is amazing. Love, love this pumpkin butter, never would of thought of making butter like this, very nice Tricia!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Cheri – the pumpkin vine nearly took over the entire garden! We had enough to keep and use for decorations and enough to share with grandkids ๐
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
This looks like it has such great depth of flavor, I love pumpkin butter swirled into my morning oat bran! Sharing and pinning all around!
Tricia Buice
Thank you very much Sue!
Chris Scheuer
Beautiful and scrumptious looking! Wishing I had a jar of this for my breakfast toast. I bet it would be wonderful on yogurt too!
Tricia Buice
Wow – great suggestion Chris! I’ll be trying that today ๐ Thanks so much – have a happy weekend!