This easy pumpkin butter made right in the oven delivers all the best flavors of fall with a sweet blend of maple, cider, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Nothing says autumn quite like the scent of cinnamon and spice filling your home; it’s one of the things I love most about this season. Pair those spices along with pumpkin and you’ve got yourself a winning combination that everyone gets excited about around this time of year.
Yes of course there are pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin spice desserts, but one of the simplest and easiest ways to enjoy the delectable duo is by making pumpkin butter.
Homemade pumpkin butter delivers the best of fall flavors all in one jar and is guaranteed to fill your house with the most wonderful aroma as it simmers. The silky spread has become a staple at my house through the holiday season since it keeps well in the fridge for weeks and is so easy to make. The secret is using the oven instead of the stove.
If you’ve ever been put off by the idea of making your own pumpkin butter because of all the sputtering and splattering as it simmers on the stovetop or you just don’t have the time to wait all day to make a batch in the slow cooker then this is the recipe for you. Using the oven instead makes this recipe is pretty hands off. There are no splatters and a quick stir halfway through is all that’s needed in terms of effort. The process cooks off the excess water and concentrates the flavors in the pumpkin butter while you are free to do other things.
How to make easy pumpkin butter:
- Just a handful of ingredients are all you need to get started. First you’ll need a can of unsweetened pumpkin puree, to which you’ll add unsweetened apple cider (or unfiltered apple juice), maple syrup, lemon juice and a little cinnamon and nutmeg for spice.
- Mix everything directly in a glass pie plate, place that on a sheet pan and into the oven it goes. After about 30 minutes you’ll come back to give it a good stir. After about an hour the puree will have darkened and reduced down into a thick and bubbly spread. That’s when it’s ready to come out of the oven and into a jar to cool.
What should I put pumpkin butter on?
Anything you’d put butter or jam on is the easy answer, but you can also put it on pancakes or waffles, spread it on muffins, swirl it into yogurt or ice cream or even into smoothies, it’s up to you!
More Fruit Butters and Spreads to Try:

Easy Pumpkin Butter (Made in the Oven)
This easy pumpkin butter made right in the oven delivers all the best flavors of fall with a sweet blend of maple, cider, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz/425g) 100% pumpkin puree (or an equivalent amount of homemade puree)
- ¾ cup/180ml apple cider or unfiltered apple juice
- ½ cup/120ml maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons/10ml fresh lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick (or ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- ⅛th teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of fine salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine the pumpkin puree, apple juice, maple syrup, lemon
juice, cinnamon stick, grated nutmeg vanilla extract and salt in a 9-inch glass
or ceramic pie plate placed on a sheet pan. - Place into oven and bake for 30 minutes. Stir butter and return to oven for another 30
minutes or until thickened and butter is a spreadable consistency. Spoon into clean jars, cover and refrigerate.
Notes
Either canned or homemade pumpkin puree can be used here.
Pumpkin puree consistency may vary so cooking time may need to be adjusted accordingly. If your puree is thick, reduce the cooking time by a few minutes and if your puree is very watery, increase the cooking time until desired thickness is achieved.
Pumpkin butter can be stored in a jar in the fridge for about 2-3 weeks. Pumpkin butter is not suitable for canning.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
22Serving Size:
1 TablespoonAmount Per Serving: Calories: 33Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 0g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Sabrina says
a welcome addition to pumpkin season, thank you, love the flavors in this and a wonderful spread for the season and as you write lovely aromas too
Brett says
Yum! This looks fantastic.