When the crisp air of fall rolls in, there's nothing more comforting than a homemade spread that captures the season's best flavors. This easy vegan pumpkin butter recipe is smooth, spiced, and naturally dairy-free, making it perfect for spreading on toast, swirling into oatmeal, or pairing with warm baked goods.
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It is packed with cozy notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It's a delicious way to bring autumn to your table while keeping things simple and wholesome.
Ingredients
You will need a handful of these cozy ingredients below to make this delicious vegan pumpkin butter:
- Pumpkin Puree: Provides a rich, earthy base for the butter; use canned or homemade pumpkin puree.
- Apple Juice: Adds natural sweetness and brightness to balance the spices.
- Ground Ginger: Brings warmth that enhances the flavor of pumpkin.
- Ground Cloves: Deep and aromatic, they give the butter a cozy, holiday scent.
- Ground Cinnamon: The ultimate fall spice that wraps everything in warmth.
- Ground Nutmeg: It adds complexity and a subtle nutty sweetness.
- Organic Cane Sugar: A vegan-friendly alternative to white sugar that keeps the butter perfectly sweet. You can also use any of your favorite vegan-friendly sugars.
Step-by-step cooking directions
Here's how to make your homemade vegan pumpkin butter step by step.
Combine: Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add the pumpkin puree, apple juice, organic cane sugar, and all the warm spices. Give everything a good stir until well combined. The mixture will already start to smell like cozy pumpkin pie goodness.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the Heat: Let the mixture come to a gentle boil. As soon as it starts bubbling, reduce the heat to low. This helps everything cook slowly, allowing the flavors to deepen and the texture to become rich and buttery, just as a perfect homemade pumpkin butter should be.
Simmer and Thicken: Let the mixture simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. You'll notice it thickening and darkening in color. Once it reaches that smooth, spreadable consistency, remove it from the heat. Your kitchen will smell like fall!
Cool and Store in Jars: Let the pumpkin butter cool slightly, then spoon it into clean mason jars. Enjoy!
Pro Tips for the Best Vegan Pumpkin Butter
Making this healthy pumpkin butter at home is simple, but a few helpful tips can take it from good to truly great.
If you're short on time, canned pumpkin puree is a convenient and reliable choice-it gives a smooth, consistent texture that's ideal for spreads. Letting your mixture simmer on low heat allows the flavors to deepen and the butter to naturally thicken without burning.
Don't be afraid to adjust the spices or sweetness to your liking; if you love a stronger cinnamon or ginger kick, feel free to add a little more. Once it's done cooking, let the pumpkin butter cool completely before placing it in jars-this helps prevent moisture buildup and keeps it fresher longer.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper storage is the key to enjoying your homemade pumpkin butter for weeks to come. Once it's cooled, transfer the butter to a clean, airtight jar or container and refrigerate it for up to three weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze small portions for up to three months. Just let them thaw overnight in the fridge when you're ready to use them again.
Most of the time, this healthy pumpkin butter tastes amazing straight from the fridge, but if you like it warm on toast or waffles, a quick 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave will do the trick. And remember, always use a clean spoon to scoop it out to keep it fresh and free from contamination.
Variation Ideas for Vegan Pumpkin Butter
One of the best things about this healthy pumpkin butter recipe is how easy it is to customize to your taste.
For a deeper caramel flavor, try swapping the organic cane sugar with maple syrup or coconut sugar. If you enjoy a bit of tang, add a splash of lemon juice or a pinch of sea salt to balance the sweetness.
You can also blend in a small amount of vanilla extract or pumpkin pie spice for a more complex fall flavor. Want a touch of chocolate? Stir in some cocoa powder or spread the pumpkin butter over dark chocolate chips for an irresistible pumpkin chocolate twist.
Perfect Pairing Dishes for Pumpkin Butter
There are so many pumpkin butter uses, you'll never run out of ways to enjoy it.
Spread it over warm toast, English muffins, or pancakes for a cozy fall breakfast. Swirl it into oatmeal or yogurt bowls for a boost of autumn flavor.
It's also perfect as a topping for waffles, a filling for crepes, or even layered into parfaits.
You can spoon it over dairy-free ice cream, mix it into smoothie bowls, or serve it alongside crackers and fruit as part of a fall snack board. No matter how you use it, this homemade pumpkin butter adds a touch of sweetness and spice to just about anything.
Final Thoughts
This easy vegan pumpkin butter is the perfect way to bring cozy fall flavors into your kitchen with minimal effort. Whether you spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, or gift it in a jar, it's a simple, delicious treat that celebrates the best of the season.
With warm spices and natural sweetness, this homemade pumpkin butter recipe is sure to become a fall favorite in your vegan kitchen.
FAQ
Yes, absolutely! If you have fresh pumpkin on hand, feel free to roast and blend it into a smooth homemade pumpkin purée. It adds a deeper, earthier flavor to the butter, making the whole recipe feel extra cozy and homemade. Just make sure it's not too watery-thicker puree works best in this case.
Yes, you can reduce the sugar in this vegan pumpkin butter! Try using less organic cane sugar or substitute it with maple syrup, coconut sugar, or vegan brown sugar. Please note that less sugar may shorten its shelf life in the fridge, so enjoy it within 1-2 weeks.
No, this pumpkin butter recipe is not safe for home canning. Although it may feel like a jam or jelly, pumpkin is low in acid, and even with the addition of lemon juice, it's not acidic enough for safe water bath canning. Stick with refrigeration or freezing instead.
If you don't have apple juice, you can substitute it with pear juice, apple cider, or even water in a pinch-though it will be a little less fruity. Apple juice adds a subtle brightness and natural sweetness, so it's worth including if you can.
This vegan pumpkin butter is a sweet treat, but it's made from simple, whole ingredients like pumpkin puree, spices, and organic cane sugar. There are no preservatives, no dairy, and no artificial flavors. You can make it even healthier by cutting back on sugar or using natural sweeteners like maple syrup.
Yes, you can substitute the ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves with pie spice if that's what you have on hand. Use about 2½ to 3 teaspoons total, depending on your taste. It'll still give you that cozy, familiar pumpkin pie flavor.
Easy Vegan Pumpkin Butter Recipe for Fall Flavor
Ingredients
- 15 oz can Pumpkin Puree
- ¾ cup apple juice
- 2 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ cups organic cane sugar or any of your favorite vegan-friendly sugars
Instructions
- Combine: Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add the pumpkin puree, apple juice, organic cane sugar, and all the warm spices. Give everything a good stir until well combined. The mixture will already start to smell like cozy pumpkin pie goodness.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the Heat: Let the mixture come to a gentle boil. As soon as it starts bubbling, reduce the heat to low. This helps everything cook slowly, allowing the flavors to deepen and the texture to become rich and buttery, just as a perfect homemade pumpkin butter should be.
- Simmer and Thicken: Let the mixture simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. You'll notice it thickening and darkening in color. Once it reaches that smooth, spreadable consistency, remove it from the heat. Your kitchen will smell like fall!
- Cool and Store in Jars: Let the pumpkin butter cool slightly, then spoon it into clean mason jars. Enjoy!
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