Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter Recipe

This Trader Joe’s style Pumpkin Butter is a creamy and spiced recipe, which is made with real pumpkin puree and warm pumpkin pie spice. It’s the perfect fall spread, a no-fuss take on a classic that’s ready in just 10 minutes.

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Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter Ingredients

A simple list for a flavor-packed, versatile fall spread.

1 cup Pumpkin Puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
¼ cup Brown Sugar
1 Tbsp Honey or Maple Syrup
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
¼ tsp Sea Salt

How To Make Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter

A step-by-step guide to this incredibly quick and easy stovetop spread.

Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, honey, lemon juice, pumpkin pie spice, and sea salt.
Simmer and Thicken: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue to stir and cook for about 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and darkens from a bright orange to a deeper, richer color.
Cool and Store: Remove the pan from the heat and let the pumpkin butter cool slightly. Pour it into a sealable container, like a mason jar, and let it cool completely to room temperature before sealing and storing in the refrigerator.

Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter Recipe — Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter Recipe

Recipe Tips

For the most flavorful, perfectly textured pumpkin butter.

How to get the right consistency? The key is the short simmer. You’re looking for the mixture to thicken just enough to coat the back of a spoon. It will continue to thicken up significantly as it cools and chills in the refrigerator.
Can I adjust the spices? Absolutely! This is a great base recipe. If you love cinnamon, add an extra pinch. A little bit of ground ginger or a tiny dash of cloves would also be delicious additions.
Can I make a bigger batch? Yes, this recipe doubles or triples beautifully. Just use a larger saucepan and add a few extra minutes to the simmering time to ensure it thickens properly.
Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead recipe. The flavor actually gets even better after a day or two in the refrigerator as the spices have time to meld.

What To Serve With Pumpkin Butter

Perfect pairings for this versatile and delicious fall spread.

This sweet and spiced pumpkin butter is a fantastic fall staple. It’s perfect for:

Spreading on warm toast, bagels, English muffins, or scones
Swirling into a bowl of hot oatmeal or plain yogurt
As a delicious topping for pancakes or waffles
A dip for crisp apple slices

How To Store Pumpkin Butter

Keeping your homemade spread fresh.

Refrigerate: Store the cooled pumpkin butter in an airtight container or a sealed jar in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 10 days.

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter Nutrition Facts

An estimated guide per tablespoon.

Calories: 30kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 0.2g
Fat: 0.1g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Is this the same as apple butter?

They are made with a similar process, but have very different flavors. Apple butter is made by slow-cooking apples until they are deeply caramelized and concentrated. Pumpkin butter is a much quicker process, resulting in a fresh, spiced pumpkin flavor rather than a deep caramelized one.

Do I have to use pumpkin pie spice?

No. If you don’t have a pre-made pumpkin pie spice blend, you can make your own by mixing about ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground ginger, and a pinch each of ground nutmeg and allspice.

Can I make this sugar-free?

You can try substituting the brown sugar and honey with a sugar-free alternative like erythritol or a monk fruit blend, but the final texture may be slightly different and it may not keep for as long in the refrigerator.

Try More Recipes:

Trader Joe’s Lemon Pesto Sauce Recipe
Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch Recipe
Trader Joe’s Spicy Lentil Wrap Recipe