Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6–8 hours
Total Time: 6–8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: About 4 cups
🌟 Introduction
If fall had a flavor, it would taste exactly like this Spiced Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter! Smooth, rich, and infused with warm autumn spices, this creamy spread captures everything you love about pumpkin season in one spoonful.
Made effortlessly in your slow cooker, this recipe fills your kitchen with cozy aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves as it slowly transforms pure pumpkin puree into a luscious, velvety butter. Spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, or dollop it on pancakes — this pumpkin butter is fall comfort in a jar! 🍂
🎃 What Is Pumpkin Butter?
Despite its name, pumpkin butter doesn’t actually contain butter. Instead, it’s a thick, spiced pumpkin spread made by slowly cooking pumpkin puree with sweeteners and spices until it becomes silky and concentrated in flavor. It’s similar to apple butter but with a deeper, more spiced flavor profile.
Pumpkin butter is perfect for fall breakfasts, holiday gifting, or adding a seasonal twist to desserts and snacks.
🍂 Ingredients
- 2 (15 oz) cans pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
- ¾ cup pure maple syrup (or brown sugar, if preferred)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (added at the end)
🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Combine Ingredients
Add pumpkin puree, apple cider, maple syrup (or brown sugar), cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt into your slow cooker. Stir well to combine until smooth.
Step 2: Slow Cook to Perfection
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours, stirring occasionally.
- As it cooks, the mixture will thicken and darken to a rich amber-brown color.
💡 Tip: Keep the lid slightly ajar during the last hour of cooking to help the pumpkin butter thicken even more.
Step 3: Add Vanilla and Cool
Once the pumpkin butter has thickened and tastes rich and caramelized, stir in the vanilla extract. Let it cool completely before transferring it to jars or containers.
Step 4: Store and Enjoy
Spoon the cooled pumpkin butter into airtight jars. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months.
🍞 How to Use Pumpkin Butter
This silky-smooth spread is wonderfully versatile! Here are some delicious ways to enjoy it:
- Spread it on toast, bagels, or English muffins
- Swirl it into Greek yogurt, oatmeal, or cottage cheese
- Use as a filling for crepes, pancakes, or waffles
- Add a dollop to ice cream or cheesecake for a fall twist
- Mix into smoothies or lattes for extra pumpkin flavor
- Use it as a gift idea — tie a ribbon around the jar and share the taste of fall! 🎁
💡 Tips & Variations
- Sweetener Options: You can swap maple syrup for brown sugar, coconut sugar, or honey, depending on your preference.
- Extra Creamy: Stir in a tablespoon of coconut oil or butter at the end for added richness.
- Pumpkin Spice Mix: If you prefer, replace individual spices with 2 ½ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice.
- Add a Kick: A pinch of cayenne or black pepper enhances the warm spices beautifully.
- No Slow Cooker? You can make this on the stovetop — simmer gently over low heat for 45–60 minutes, stirring often.
🧊 Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Store in airtight containers or mason jars for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
- Canning Warning: Pumpkin butter is not safe for canning due to its low acidity. Always refrigerate or freeze instead.
🥄 Nutrition (per tablespoon, approx.)
- Calories: 30
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Sugars: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Fat: 0g
🍁 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy, hands-off slow cooker recipe
- Perfectly spiced and naturally sweetened
- Great for breakfasts, desserts, and gifts
- Fills your kitchen with the scent of fall
- Dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free!
🍂 Final Thoughts
This Spiced Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter is pure autumn bliss — cozy, flavorful, and unbelievably easy to make. It transforms simple pantry ingredients into a decadent, silky spread that tastes like fall in every spoonful. Whether you spread it on toast, mix it into oatmeal, or give it as a homemade gift, it’s sure to become a seasonal favorite in your kitchen.
So dust off that slow cooker, grab some pumpkin puree, and let the magic of fall simmer away! 🍁✨
Print
Spiced Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter 🎃🍁
Ingredients
• 2 cups pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
• ½ cup maple syrup or brown sugar
• ¼ cup apple cider or orange juice
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (for brightness)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• ⅛ tsp cloves
• Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, whisk together all ingredients until smooth.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours, stirring once or twice, until thickened and deeply golden.
- Remove lid during the last hour to help excess moisture evaporate.
- Let cool slightly. Use an immersion blender to smooth if needed.
- Transfer to clean jars. Chill or store at room temp for up to 1 week, or freeze for longer.
✨ Uses:
• Spread on toast, muffins, or pancakes
• Swirl into oatmeal or yogurt
• Fill thumbprint cookies or crepes
• Gift in pretty jars with a ribbon
💡 Make it spicier: Add a pinch of cayenne or extra ginger.
PREP TIME & NUTRITION :
Prep Time : 10 mins , Cook Time : 7 hrs , Total Time : 7 hrs 10 mins , Servings : 10 (2-tbsp servings) , Calories : 60 per serving , Net Carbs: 15g , Fats: 0g , Protein: 1g