Amish Pumpkin Butter Recipe

Easy Homemade Amish Pumpkin Butter Recipe: Fall’s Sweet Spread

Smooth, velvety Amish pumpkin butter upgrades ordinary spreads into extraordinary culinary experiences that dance across your palate.

Seasonal gourds offer rich, deep flavors concentrated through careful preparation and traditional techniques.

Hearty farmhouse methods bring out natural sweetness and complex spice profiles in this beloved preserve.

Generations of rural kitchens have perfected this delectable condiment, blending rustic charm with delicate nuances.

Warm autumn spices mingle with pure pumpkin essence, creating a luxurious texture that whispers comfort and nostalgia.

Simple ingredients come together in a harmonious blend that elevates morning toast or evening desserts.

Crafting this spread connects you to time-honored culinary traditions passed down through patient, loving hands.

How to Cook and Blend Pumpkin Butter at Home

Step 1: Blend Flavor Companions

Combine all ingredients in the saucepan, whisking gently until everything mingles together smoothly. Make sure no sugar crystals remain unincorporated.

Step 2: Transform Ingredients Slowly

Place the saucepan on low heat, stirring occasionally. Watch the mixture transform from bright orange to rich caramel brown. This slow cooking process develops deep, complex flavors.

Step 3: Patience Creates Perfection

Cook for 60-90 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes. The butter will gradually thicken and develop a luxurious, spreadable consistency. When a spoon drawn through leaves a clear path, it’s ready.

Step 4: Preserve Your Creation

Carefully ladle the warm butter into sterilized glass jars. Wipe jar rims clean, seal tightly. Let cool completely at room temperature.

Step 5: Storage Options

Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or process in a water bath for shelf-stable preservation. Enjoy on toast, pancakes, or as a sweet gift.

Tips for Smooth and Spiced Pumpkin Butter

  • Choose Fresh Pumpkin: Select ripe, sweet sugar pumpkins for the most authentic and richest flavor profile.
  • Control Heat Carefully: Maintain low to medium-low temperature to prevent burning and ensure smooth, caramelized consistency.
  • Stir Consistently: Regularly mix the pumpkin butter to prevent sticking and promote even cooking and color development.
  • Test Thickness Wisely: Check the butter's thickness by running a spoon through the mixture- it should leave a clear path without immediately filling back in.
  • Preserve Properly: Use sterilized jars and follow safe canning guidelines to extend the pumpkin butter's shelf life and maintain its delicious taste.

How to Store and Use Amish Pumpkin Butter Later

  • Refrigeration: Store homemade pumpkin butter in airtight glass containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Keep the sealed jars away from direct sunlight and strong odors.
  • Freezing: Transfer cooled pumpkin butter to freezer-safe containers, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring you label the container with the date and contents.
  • Reheating: Gently warm refrigerated pumpkin butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid overheating to maintain its smooth, rich texture and prevent burning.

Best Foods to Spread Pumpkin Butter On

  • Pair with Rustic Bread: Spread this rich, velvety Amish pumpkin butter on warm, crusty sourdough or hearty whole wheat bread for a delightful breakfast or snack.
  • Match with Warm Beverages: Enjoy alongside a steaming mug of spiced chai tea or a creamy pumpkin spice latte to complement the butter's warm, autumnal flavors.
  • Create a Cheese Board Delight: Serve as a luxurious spread next to aged cheddar, creamy brie, or tangy goat cheese for a sophisticated appetizer that balances sweet and savory notes.
  • Breakfast Bliss Combo: Dollop on fluffy pancakes, waffles, or stirred into morning oatmeal for a comforting and indulgent breakfast experience that celebrates seasonal flavors.

Pumpkin Butter Recipe Twists Worth Trying

  • Spiced Harvest Blend: Enhance the classic recipe by adding ground nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of cloves for a warm, aromatic autumn-inspired pumpkin butter that captures the essence of seasonal celebrations.
  • Maple Pecan Infusion: Incorporate pure maple syrup and finely chopped toasted pecans to create a rich, nutty version that brings additional depth and complexity to the traditional Amish pumpkin butter.
  • Apple Cinnamon Fusion: Mix in some finely diced or pureed apples during the cooking process to add natural sweetness and create a more complex flavor profile that complements the existing cinnamon notes.
  • Bourbon-Spiked Comfort: For an adult-friendly variation, splash in a small amount of bourbon whiskey during the final stages of cooking, which adds a subtle warmth and sophisticated undertone to the classic pumpkin butter recipe.

Amish Pumpkin Butter Spreads Fall Flavor on Everything

  • Savor Seasonal Comfort: This Amish pumpkin butter captures the essence of autumn in a single, luscious spread, delivering warm, comforting flavors that feel like a cozy hug from grandma's kitchen.
  • Master Effortless Cooking: With simple ingredients and straightforward cooking methods, anyone can create this delectable preserve without requiring advanced culinary skills or fancy equipment.
  • Enjoy Versatile Deliciousness: Perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into oatmeal, or using as a baking ingredient, this pumpkin butter offers incredible flexibility for breakfast, snacks, and desserts.
  • Celebrate Homemade Goodness: By slowly simmering fresh ingredients, you'll create a rich, deep-colored condiment that tastes infinitely better than store-bought versions and fills your home with incredible autumn aromas.

Ingredients for Homemade Amish Pumpkin Butter

Pumpkin Base:
  • Pumpkin Purée: Fresh or canned smooth pumpkin base that provides the signature creamy texture and rich autumn flavor.
Sweet Enhancers:
  • Sugar: White granulated sugar that adds sweetness and helps balance the pumpkin's earthy taste.
Flavor Boosters:
  • Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that adds tang and helps preserve the butter's color and freshness.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that gives the pumpkin butter its classic fall-inspired aroma and depth of flavor.
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Amish Pumpkin Butter Recipe

Amish Pumpkin Butter Recipe


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4.8 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Homemade Amish pumpkin butter captures autumn’s warmth with rich, spiced notes from traditional Pennsylvania Dutch kitchens. Slow-simmered pumpkin puree blends cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar into a silky spread you’ll savor on warm toast or baked goods.


Ingredients

Scale

Pumpkin:

  • 4 cups pumpkin purée (or two 15 ounces cans)

Sweeteners:

  • 1 ¼ cups sugar

Spices and Flavoring:

  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Select a spacious heavy-bottomed saucepan to ensure even heat distribution and prevent scorching during the cooking process.
  2. Whisk pumpkin purée, granulated sweetener, freshly squeezed citrus extract, and ground cinnamon until the mixture appears uniformly blended and smooth.
  3. Position the saucepan over minimal heat, allowing the ingredients to meld together gradually while stirring periodically to maintain consistent texture and prevent potential burning.
  4. Maintain a gentle simmering state, reducing the liquid content and concentrating the flavors through consistent, unhurried cooking. The transformation will be evident as the mixture darkens and thickens substantially.
  5. Continuously monitor the pumpkin butter, stirring more frequently as the consistency becomes denser to prevent potential sticking or caramelization at the bottom of the pan.
  6. Test the readiness by observing a thick, spreadable consistency that holds its shape when a spoon is drawn through the mixture. The color should deepen to a rich, caramel-like amber tone.
  7. Remove from heat and carefully transfer the aromatic spread into sterilized glass containers, leaving minimal headspace to ensure proper sealing.
  8. Allow the pumpkin butter to cool completely at room temperature before securing lids tightly.
  9. Refrigerate for immediate consumption or process in a water bath for extended preservation, ensuring safe storage and optimal flavor retention.

Notes

  • Preserving this seasonal spread requires careful attention to consistency and temperature control during the slow-cooking process.
  • Homemade pumpkin butter transforms ordinary canned pumpkin into a luxurious, deeply spiced condiment that captures autumn’s warmth in every spoonful.
  • Creating this recipe allows flexibility for personal taste adjustments, enabling home cooks to experiment with additional warming spices like nutmeg or ginger for enhanced flavor complexity.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 194
  • Sugar: 20.83 g
  • Sodium: 1.67 mg
  • Fat: 0.33 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.07 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0.26 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 51.67 g
  • Fiber: 2.33 g
  • Protein: 1.17 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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