OMG! Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter

[nikkib99]

A couple weeks ago, I overheard a convo between a cashier and customer because she seemed to be stockpiling on pumpking butter. I was never a fan of anything pumpkin, but was a bit curious to try it.

I picked up a jar tonight and added a scoop to fage plain yogurt. How delicious was this!

I can not believe I waited this long to try it. I see myself adding this to anything and everything - even plain pancakes - if I ever make them.

[laskiblue]

I find TJ's Pumpkin Butter to be much too sweet and having a spice balance that I personally find to be a little off. Nonetheless, there is a jar in my fridge for biscuits and waffles. I prefer the Amish made varieties I grew up with in southwestern lower Michigan, but I can't seem to find those readily in So Cal. :-)

[khh1138]

I like adding it to heavy cream to make a sauce for pumpkin ravioli. Hey, you only live once.

[HillJ]

That's a nice quick tip, khh!

[beanodc]

Try mixing it with plain cream cheese and toasted walnuts. Much better than what the local bagel store sells at this time of year.

[HillJ]

The TJ's pumpkin butter is terrific though a bit on the sweet side. I also enjoy it stirred into Greek yogurt...and I'd love to see a pumpkin Greek yogurt come to the marketplace.

Pumpkin butter is one of the easiest things to make from scratch. Well worth the five ingredients and 20 mins it takes to make a batch. You'll have 3x's the product for the same $$ too.

Another great use for the pumpkin butter is inside pumpkin muffins. Just add a dollop to the middle of your batter (bottom batter, pumpkin butter, top batter) and bake as usual.

[Savour]

Trader Joe's has a pumpkin Greek yogurt this season!

I like the pumpkin butter stirred into oatmeal with a bit of cream cheese ...

[HillJ]

Really? Pumpkin Greek yogurt? I was really hoping someone would!!
Thanks, Savour.

[CanadaGirl]

Can you recommend a recipe HillJ?

[HillJ]

CG, did you mean for homemade pumpkin butter or something else using packaged pumpkin butter?

[CanadaGirl]

Pumpkin Butter in general. I appreciate the convenience of canned pumpkin, but if I need to start from total scratch I'm willing to :)

[HillJ]

Oh sure, homemade pumpkin butter is super simple. You will need:

1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree (about 3.5 cups)
1 cup apple juice
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 pinch ground cloves
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon whiskey (optional)
juice of 1/2 a lemon

Then prep:
Combine all ingredients, except for lemon juice, in a large saucepan.
Bring mixture to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 mins, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice and let cool.
Pour into airtight jar(s) and store in refrigerator.

[CanadaGirl]

Thanks! I made it yesterday and we were happy with the outcome.

[HillJ]

Good for you CG!

[nikkib99]

Thanks. I'll have to try this out.

I bet there will be no harm in adding a little more whiskey... you know, to preserve it better.

[julesrules]

This looks great - something I never thought to make at home. Thanks HillJ :)

[HillJ]

My pleasure. I made a batch using some ripe Bosc pears in the pumpkin butter and it came out really good too.

[julesrules]

And I have some pears getting a little mushy in my crisper ;)

[HillJ]

As did I, perfect use for them. I didn't have enough on hand to make a batch of pear sauce...

[Berheenia]

HillJ

Is this a vegan product? It sounds like it is and I need a vegan offering for a coffee hour this Sunday.
thanks!

[HillJ]

Berh, I'd say this pumpkin "butter" as I've written above is free of animal products. Yes?

[HillJ]

Tip on the homemade. Canned pumpkin puree isn't watery. If you go ahead and roast a whole pumpkin be sure to drain it dry or the recipe will disappoint you. This really is a case where canned is better.

[jw615]

While there isn't a Trader Joe's near me, I frequently get pumpkin butter from the Amish markets nearby. I like it on a piece of toasted cinnamon bread for breakfast.

[jujuthomas]

i see a trip to trader joe's in my future. :)

[cellophane_star]

Williams Sonoma also makes a good pumpkin pecan butter... and it always goes on clearance price after the fall season!

[Brandon Nelson]

Very tasty on french toast made of cinnamon challah.

[Tudor_rose]

Around this time of year, lots of farmer's markets and other gourmet food stores start selling pumpkin butter. If you like pumpkin pie, then this is a nice quick alternative on a piece of bread. It's not really butter (in case anyone was wondering), but more like a pumpkin spreadable jam.

[Alcachofa]

I've enjoyed the pumpkin butter I've had from farmer's markets and the like. However, I found TJ's pumpkin butter to be gross. And I generally like TJ's.