Pumpkin butter, with its rich texture and comforting taste, is a delightful way to bring the essence of fall into your kitchen. In this post, I'll guide you through the simple steps to make your own pumpkin butter, perfect for spreading on toast, swirling into oatmeal, dolloping on top of pancakes, or filling Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls.
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What You Need
Before we dive into the making of pumpkin butter, let's gather the ingredients.
- Pumpkin Puree: You can use canned pumpkin puree for convenience, or make your own by roasting and blending fresh pumpkin.
- Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness with a hint of molasses flavor.
- Maple Syrup: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Spices: Pumpkin pie spice (or ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves) brings fall aromas and warmth.
- Apple Cider: Adds a slight tang and helps to thin the mixture slightly, enhancing the butter's spreadability.
How to Make Pumpkin Butter
Combine Ingredients: In a large saucepan, mix together 2 cups of pumpkin puree, ½ cup of granulated sugar, ¼ cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of apple cider, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and nutmeg, with ½ teaspoon each of ginger and cloves. The spices can be adjusted according to taste; some prefer more cinnamon or a hint more ginger.
Cook Slowly: Cook the mixture over medium-low heat. The key to perfect pumpkin butter is slow cooking, which allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and burning. The mixture should simmer gently.
Thickness Test: After about 15 minutes, your pumpkin butter should have thickened considerably. A good test to see if it's done is to draw a line through the butter on the back of a spoon; if the line holds without the butter running, it's ready.
Cool and Store: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the pumpkin butter cool. Once cooled, transfer it into jars or airtight containers. Pumpkin butter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or frozen for longer storage.
Serving Suggestions
Pumpkin butter is incredibly versatile and can be used in various ways to enhance your autumn meals. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Breakfast: Spread it on toast, bagels, or English muffins. Mix into yogurt or oatmeal for a seasonal twist.
- Desserts: Swirl into cheesecakes, spoon over ice cream, or use as a filling for pastries, cakes, and Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls.
- Savory Dishes: Combine with cream cheese for a flavorful dip, or glaze roasted meats and vegetables.
Making pumpkin butter is a simple, satisfying project that brings the best of fall's flavors into your home. With minimal ingredients and effort, you can create a spread that's bursting with the taste of autumn. Whether you're cozying up with a book on a chilly evening or hosting a festive fall gathering, it's sure to be a hit. Enjoy the process and the delicious results!
Recipe
Pumpkin Butter
Ingredients
- 15 oz pumpkin puree fresh or canned (1 ⅔ cup, 425g)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar 1.9oz, 54g
- ¼ cup maple syrup 2.8oz, 79g
- ¼ cup apple cider or apple juice 2.4oz, 68g
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is thick and spreadable, about 15 minutes.
- Allow the pumpkin butter to cool to room temperature.
- Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- For a darker, heavier spiced pumpkin butter, use 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice.
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon (25g)
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger (5g)
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg (5g)
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice (3g)
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves (3g)
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