Easy Maple Pumpkin Butter Recipe

If all you want is a cozy burst of fall flavor on your morning toast—or maybe just an irresistible dip for apple slices—this Easy Maple Pumpkin Butter is your new best friend. It’s rich, creamy, and beautifully spiced, with warm maple sweetness that tastes like autumn in a jar!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

There are only a handful of ingredients needed for this Easy Maple Pumpkin Butter, but each one brings its own magic. From velvety pumpkin puree (store-bought is great!) to the cozy hug of pumpkin pie spice and real maple syrup, every component shines and makes this butter irresistibly smooth, flavorful, and comforting.

• Pumpkin puree: The backbone of this recipe—use canned for convenience or homemade for an earthier taste. Just ensure it’s pure pumpkin, not pie filling.
• Real maple syrup: Maple adds gorgeous sweetness and depth. Spring for the real stuff here—your tastebuds will thank you!
• Fresh lemon juice: Just a dash makes all the flavors brighter, keeping things from turning overly sweet or heavy.
• Pumpkin pie spice: This cozy spice blend (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and more) delivers serious fall vibes. Make your own for the freshest flavor or use your go-to store brand.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a soft, inviting aroma and rounds everything out with a touch of warmth.
• Sea salt: A tiny bit makes all the sweet, earthy, and spicy notes pop. Don’t skip it!

Variations

One of the best things about Easy Maple Pumpkin Butter? You have endless ways to make it your own! Don’t be afraid to tinker—whether you need to make it dairy-free, want an extra hit of spice, or have a creative twist in mind, this recipe welcomes your flavor adventures.

• Apple Maple Pumpkin Butter: Stir in a splash of apple juice or chopped cooked apples for extra fruity notes and a touch of tartness.
• Bourbon Maple Pumpkin Butter: Add a tablespoon of bourbon along with the vanilla extract for a grown-up twist full of depth and warmth.
• Extra Spicy Pumpkin Butter: Toss in a pinch of ground cloves or allspice, or a dash of cayenne, for a warming kick that lingers.
• Refined Sugar-Free: Looking to keep it even cleaner? Swap the maple syrup for pure date syrup, or add a touch of coconut sugar for a deeper, caramel flavor.
• Pecan Crunch: Gently fold in toasted chopped pecans at the end for a deliciously nutty surprise in every spoonful.

How to Make Easy Maple Pumpkin Butter

Step 1: Combine and Heat

Grab a medium saucepan (one with a lid is perfect, but keep that lid off to start!). Scoop in your pumpkin puree, maple syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Give everything a really good stir to combine, then set the pan over medium-high heat.

Step 2: Bring to a Bubble

Stir occasionally as your mixture warms up. Once you see bubbles breaking the surface and little pockets of air escaping (like mini hot springs!), you’ll know it’s ready for the next step. This gets the flavors blending and the pumpkin ready to thicken.

Step 3: Partially Cover and Simmer

Now, set the lid on your saucepan, but don’t seal it tightly—just leave it a bit askew so steam can sneak out. This lets the mixture reduce without a splattery mess and helps your butter get thick and luscious.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Thicken

Turn the heat down to medium-low. You want a gentle simmer with small bubbles—if it’s bubbling too fast, dial it back a notch. Stir once or twice as it thickens, about 20-25 minutes, until your Easy Maple Pumpkin Butter is silky, spreadable, and as thick as you like. (Homemade puree or extra moisture from added juice may need a few extra minutes here.)

Step 5: Cool and Store

Once your pumpkin butter is perfectly thick, take it off the heat and let it cool down. Scoop into a clean glass jar or any container with a tight-fitting lid. Pop it in the fridge, and you’ll have fall flavors at your fingertips all week—or even longer!

How to Serve Easy Maple Pumpkin Butter

Garnishes

For a truly special touch, add a sprinkle of toasted chopped pecans, walnuts, or a dusting of cinnamon on top just before serving. A tiny swirl of whipped cream or a drizzle of extra maple syrup also takes each spoonful of Easy Maple Pumpkin Butter from deliciously simple to downright dessert-worthy!

Side Dishes

This pumpkin butter absolutely shines as a spread for crusty sourdough, warm biscuits, muffins, pancakes, waffles, and even a humble slice of sandwich bread. It’s equally delightful stirred into Greek yogurt, oatmeal, or cottage cheese—or as a dip for crisp apple slices and graham crackers.

Creative Ways to Present

Show off your Easy Maple Pumpkin Butter in a pretty glass jar tied with twine, perfect for a hostess gift or holiday table centerpiece. Dollop it over vanilla ice cream for an instant fall sundae, swirl into cheesecake batter, or add to a DIY breakfast board alongside fruit and baked goods for a cozy brunch spread!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After your Easy Maple Pumpkin Butter has cooled completely, transfer it to a glass jar or airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It stays fresh for at least one week (and sometimes up to two), making it a sweet treat you can prep ahead for breakfasts and snacks on the go.

Freezing

This pumpkin butter freezes beautifully! Pour into freezer-safe jars, leaving a bit of space for expansion. Pop it in the freezer and enjoy those comforting fall flavors for up to three months—just thaw in the fridge overnight whenever you need a taste of autumn.

Reheating

If you like your Easy Maple Pumpkin Butter warm, simply scoop out a portion and microwave in short bursts, stirring in between. You can also gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat until just warmed through—perfect for spreading or swirling into hot cereal.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s just something about a jar of Easy Maple Pumpkin Butter that makes the season feel special—cozy, inviting, and totally delicious. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and let it brighten up your breakfasts, snacks, and gatherings. Once you taste it, you’ll wonder how you ever made it through fall without a jar tucked in your fridge!

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