Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons (56g) cold, cubed unsalted butter
- 15 oz (425g) can 100% pure pumpkin purée
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) maple syrup (Grade A or B)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water or apple cider/juice
- 2 tablespoons (25g) packed dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice
Instructions:
- Prepare the Base: In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the pumpkin purée, maple syrup, brown sugar, water (or cider), and the entire spice blend (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves/allspice).
- Bring to Heat: Stir continuously over medium heat until the mixture is fully combined and begins to bubble gently.
- The Reduction: Immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Simmer for 45–60 minutes. Stir frequently (every 5–8 minutes initially, and every 2 minutes toward the end) until the volume is reduced by roughly one-third and the purée is significantly thickened.
- Incorporate the Butter: Remove the saucepan from the stove. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and fine sea salt to the hot pumpkin mixture.
- Emulsify: Stir or whisk vigorously until the butter is completely melted and fully incorporated. The mixture should become smooth, glossy, and uniform in color, resulting in the spreadable Pumpkin Pie Butter.
- Jar and Cool: Carefully transfer the hot pumpkin butter into clean, sterilised glass jars, leaving about 1 cm headspace.
- Seal and Chill: Seal the jars tightly. Allow the butter to cool slightly at room temperature (about 30 minutes) before transferring them to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving; the butter will thicken as it cools.