Whip up this easy to make Homemade Pumpkin Butter in no time with just a few simple ingredients. This copycat Trader Joe’s recipe is creamy, contains no refined sugar, and is full of all the fall flavors you love! So YUMMY and versatile! I’m sharing 10 ways to use it in the post along with FREE printable gift tags.
Pin It For Later!
We are supposed to be getting a cold front here in Texas in a few days. I am definitely ready for some cooler temps. It’s hard to get in the spirit of all things fall when it’s 98 degrees outside.
One of my favorite pumpkin treats during this time of year is Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter. I buy it EVERY fall! It’s one of the few things I purchase that contain refined sugar.
I didn’t get a chance to go to TJ’s before our move to stock up on all of my favorite merchandise. (We moved from the Dallas area to Fredericksburg a few weeks ago.) The closest Trader Joe’s is in San Antonio which is an hour away. I know! It’s tragic! No more weekly trips to one of my favorite stores. 🙁
Luckily the ingredients listed on the TJ’s Pumpkin Butter are simple…pumpkin, sugar, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. I did a little experimenting and came up with a recipe for Homemade Pumpkin Butter.
Y’all it was sooo easy! I just threw everything in a pot, stirred it up, and voila! Homemade pumpkin butter that’s just as delish as the TJ’s version. Plus it’s a little healthier because I substituted local honey and pure maple syrup for the refined sugar.
What Do You Do With Homemade Pumpkin Butter?
There are so many amazing ways that you can use this pumpkin butter.
- Spread it on whole-grain toast or my leftover homemade whole wheat beer bread.
- Put a dollop on top of pancakes, waffles, or my whole wheat dutch baby
- Try it on my homemade bagels or add it to your bagel bar.
- Swirl it into oatmeal or yogurt
- Mix it into homemade ice cream
- Use it as a filling in whole wheat crepes
- Add it to smoothies
- Use it as a fruit dip
- Add it to your fall charcuterie board – So good with brie on a cracker!
- Share it! I saved the best for last. Share the love with neighbors, relatives, or friends! It makes a great hostess gift or fall party favor. You can use the place cards that I shared in my fall tablescape post last year as gift tags. Just type in the names and print them out on cardstock. Cut each card on the dotted line and attach it to a mason jar with a ribbon or some twine. You can download the FREE printable cards at the end of this post.
Tammy’s Tips for Making Pumpkin Butter
Sweetener – I used local honey and pure maple syrup as the sweetener. You could use all honey or all syrup. You can also add more or less depending on how sweet you like it. I think I made it a little too sweet.
Pumpkin Pie Spice – You could substitute 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice for the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
How to Store – This will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. It can also be frozen and should last 3-6 months. I like to freeze in an ice cube tray. Place the frozen cubes in an airtight container and put back in the freezer. You can then defrost as little or as much as you would like.

Homemade Pumpkin Butter
Whip up this easy to make Homemade Pumpkin Butter in no time with just a few simple ingredients. This copycat Trader Joe's recipe is creamy, contains no refined sugar, and is full of all the fall flavors you love!
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz can of pumpkin do not use pumpkin pie filling
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
-
Add all of the ingredients to a pot or saucepan. Turn heat to medium and stir frequently until everything is well combined and it reaches a spreadable consistency.
Recipe Notes
Sweetener - I used local honey and pure maple syrup as the sweetener. You could use all honey or all syrup. You can also add more or less depending on how sweet you like it.
Pumpkin Pie Spice - You could substitute 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice for the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
How to Store - This will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. It can also be frozen and should last 3-6 months. I like to freeze in an ice cube tray. Place the frozen cubes in an airtight container and put back in the freezer. You can then defrost as little or as much as you would like.
We recommend using organic ingredients whenever possible.
Susan Capone says
Hi, you mention cinnamon in the replacement comments yet I do not see cinnamon in the recipe? Is by chance one of the ginger measurements to be cinnamon? Please advise thank you as I’d love to try this
smallgesturesmatter@gmail.com says
Hi Susan, Thanks so much for catching my mistake. Yes, it should be 1 tsp of cinnamon instead of ginger. Let me know if you try it. 🙂