Easy 20-minutes simmering into silky homemade pumpkin butter! This holiday favorite spread has all the cozy sweet flavors of pumpkin pie, is naturally gluten-free, and made without refined sugars.
What is pumpkin butter
Pumpkin butter is one of those condiments that you will want to butter on almost everything this holiday! Pumpkin butter is a sweet smear or spread that goes well on crackers, white bread, sweet bread or any fall holiday food like cranberry sauce, turkey, ham, brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, and even topped on pumpkin bread.
Why this pumpkin recipe is so great
It is without a doubt that "fresh is best" and homemade pumpkin butter really is abundant in flavor that gets better as it sets. This stuff is really good - plus there are no preservatives, that you may just want to scoop and eat it by the spoonful! But beyond how delicious it is, this homemade pumpkin butter is made without refined sugars, using maple syrup and contains extremely beneficial health and healing properties.
Benefits of pumpkin
Pumpkin is a vegetable from the Cucurbita plant, which are applied in different cultures as traditional medicine. The fruits or "meat", seeds and leaves from many Cucurbita members possess different pharmacological effects. These include antidiabetic, antiulcer, analgesic, nephroprotective properties, and may protect against cancer. They also contain vitamins like carotenoids and tocopherols. [source]
So what is not to love about a little bit of pumpkin and spice - cause it is everything nice!
What ingredients goes into this spread
- Can of pumpkin puree - the heart of the recipe! Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and iron.
- Fresh apple - adds extra fiber, vitamin C and natural sweetness
- Lemon juice - brings out the flavors and adds a slight acidity
- Maple syrup - adds a delicious natural sweetness
- Pumpkin pie spice and ginger - gives this spread all the flavors of fall!
- Vanilla - to add a bit of depth to the flavor
How to make pumpkin butter from scratch
STEP 1: First peel, slice, and core the apple (it is ok if all the peel is not removed). Then add all the ingredients in a pot on the stove and heat on medium-high until it starts to bubble on the sides.
STEP 2: Turn the heat down to a low simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes until it becomes thicker, stirring throughout.
This releases any extra juices and thickens the consistency. Instead of using individual pumpkin pie spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, I like to use an already mixed pumpkin pie spice for convenience.
STEP 3: Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly. Add the pumpkin butter to a food processor or blender to blend the apples.
STEP 4: Chill it in the refrigerator after it is prepared, or serve it as a warm spread right away.
Where to serve pumpkin and apple butters
- Spread homemade pumpkin butter on morning toast.
- Add it to a peanut butter sandwich.
- Layer it inside homemade granola bars such as these in place of jam.
- Use it anywhere you would use jelly or jam.
- Add a couple tablespoons to a latte and turn it into a pumpkin latte!
Related pumpkin recipes
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Homemade Pumpkin Butter
Ingredients
- 15 ounce pumpkin puree (1 can)
- 1 apple golden delicious or gala
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon Himalayan salt
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
Instructions
- Peel the apple, remove the core and chop it into large chunks.
- In a medium size pot add the pumpkin puree, chopped apple, maple syrup, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, Himalayan salt, ginger and vanilla. Heat on medium-high until it starts to bubble on the sides.
- Turn the heat down to a low simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes until it becomes thicker, stirring throughout. Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly. Add the pumpkin butter to a food processor to blend the apples.
- Serve as is, cold or warm, spread over breads, ham, or for dip.
Notes
- Spread homemade pumpkin butter on morning toast.
- Add it to a peanut butter sandwich.
- Layer it inside homemade granola bars such as these in place of jam.
- Use it anywhere you would use jelly or jam.
- Add a couple tablespoons to a latte and turn it into a pumpkin latte!
Karly says
I could go for this right now!!
Danielle | Delightful Mom Food says
Thanks Karly! It is quite addicting:-)