Crockpot Pumpkin Butter {5 Ingredients}

The best old fashioned, easy pumpkin butter recipe from scratch, homemade with simple ingredients in crockpot. Loaded with pumpkin pie spice. Great as a spread, filling or topping. Rich, thick, sweet and smooth. Perfect for Fall and Thanksgiving!

Making homemade jams and spreads is one of my favorite things to do in Summer and Fall. I have already shared recipes for this Crockpot Apple Butter and this Homemade Strawberry Jam and my Homemade Dulce De Leche. These homemade versions always taste fresher and even smells better and more aromatic than anything you would buy at stores. Also, I just want to make it very clear from the beginning that this is not a recipe for seed butter. There are no seeds in this recipe. This is made with the flesh of a pumpkin. Both are very different in flavor and texture.

What is pumpkin butter?

It’s a very thick and concentrated form of pumpkin puree that’s created by cooking it long and slow with sugar and spices until it's caramelized and dark brownish orange in color. It’s typically used as a spread but can also be used as a topping, filling or even thinned into a glaze. There is no actual butter in the recipe.

Key ingredients

• Pumpkin puree- You will need 2 cans for this recipe.
• Granulated sugar- It is probably already be in your pantry just waiting to be used up.
• Brown sugar- Similar to table sugar but with added molasses.
• Apple cider- You can also use apple juice, but cider gives a deeper flavor.
• Pumpkin spice- Use store bought or make your own.

Variations for pumpkin spread

Peanut butter flavor- Mix in a little peanut butter or any other nut butter in this recipe at the end to add a rich nutty flavor.

Try different spices- To change up the flavor, try some cardamom or star anise or nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.

Add extracts or zests- Like vanilla extract, maple extract, lemon zest, and more.

Add apple cider vinegar- To give it a tangy taste and balance the sweet flavor.

Use fresh apples- Instead of just apple juice or cider.

Use applesauce- For a more thick and chunky texture.

Add gelatin- To improve the overall smooth spreading consistency. Personally, I am not a fan of it but some friends like doing it.

How to make pumpkin butter recipe from scratch in crockpot? On stovetop?

Slow cooker instructions

1. Mix together- Pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, apple cider, and pumpkin pie spice in crockpot.
2. Cover- And cook on low heat.
3. Cook uncovered- Until thickened to your desired consistency.
4. Let it cool- And then you are done.

Stovetop instructions

1. Mix together- Pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, apple cider, and pumpkin pie spice in a large nonstick pot.
2. Cook- Uncovered, on low heat until dark brown and thickened.
3. Let it cool- And then you are done.

Homemade Pumpkin Butter Uses

Beyond just eating by the spoonfuls, there are are so many other uses:

• Spread– On breads, toasts, bagels, muffin, scones, biscuits. It tastes delicious on these Pumpkin Muffins (With Cake Mix) and this Pumpkin Bread (With Cake Mix).
• Filling- In cakes, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, pies, tarts. You really need to try it in this Pumpkin Cake (With Cake Mix).
• Topping– On Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes, waffles, Crepes, oatmeal, ice cream, bread, graham crackers.
• Flavor enhancer- To give smoothies, teas, coffees, milkshakes, lattes and other drinks a pumpkin kick. It's so tasty in this Eggnog Latte.
• Glaze– For savory dishes like pork chops and steak.

Tips and Techniques

• Use pumpkin puree- Not pumpkin pie filling. There is a very big difference. You can, however, use either homemade or store-bought pumpkin puree.
• Adjust amount of sugar- Some people like this sweet while others don’t. Add more or less sugar, based on your preference. Use both, granulated and brown sugar for best flavor profile. You can also sweeten with honey or maple syrup. Artificial sweeteners can also be used but I don't like their bitter after-taste.
• Stir often– Because this prevents scorching and also allows everything to cook evenly.
• How do you know it’s done? The color would change to a dark brownish orange shade and the mixture will be thick and glossy.
• How to thicken butter? Just cook it uncovered, without lid, for longer to reduce the liquid further. It also thickens more as it cools.
• Homemade pumpkin pie spice- Mix together the following ingredients together: 4 teaspoon cinnamon powder, 2 teaspoon ginger powder, 1 teaspoon ground cloves, ½ teaspoon nutmeg. This is a basic recipe. Feel free to adjust quantities of individual spices, based on your preference.
• Use unsweetened apple juice or cider- Because that prevents this from becoming overly sweet.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Room temperature- Once cooked mixture cools, store in the fridge. You don't want to leave this on the counter for more than 1-2 hours.
• Fridge- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container or jar in the fridge for about 2 weeks.
• Freezer- Place in sealed containers for up to 1 month, then thaw in the fridge overnight. 

More Pumpkin Desserts

• Pumpkin Donuts (With Cake Mix)
• Pumpkin Fudge (With Gingersnap Crust)
• Pumpkin Truffles
• Pumpkin Bars (With Cream Cheese Frosting)
• Pumpkin Cheesecake (With Gingersnap Crust)
• Easy Pumpkin Pie (5 Ingredients)

Recipe