Homemade Pumpkin Sauce

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This Homemade Pumpkin Sauce brings cozy autumn flavors to your kitchen in just minutes! Sweet, spiced, and velvety smooth, it’s the secret to making café-style pumpkin spice lattes and desserts right at home.

Pouring milk into a homemade pumpkin spice latte.

This pumpkin sauce recipe is a sweet, spiced, syrup-like sauce that blends pumpkin puree, sugar, warm spices, and water into a pourable, flavorful topping. Unlike store-bought pumpkin spice syrups that often skip the real pumpkin, this version uses actual pumpkin puree for an authentic, rich flavor and creamy texture.

I’ve made this homemade pumpkin sauce so many times, and it seriously never disappoints! It’s cozy, flavorful, and makes my kitchen smell like fall in just minutes. I always use it in coffee, since it’s so budget-friendly compared to buying pumpkin drinks at coffee shops, and I get way more servings for literally a fraction of the cost!

Why We Love This Homemade Pumpkin Syrup

Quick & easy: From start to finish, you can have a jar of pumpkin sauce ready in under 10 minutes.
Budget-friendly: No need to spend $6+ on a fancy latte when you can make multiple servings for the same price at home.
Versatile: Stir it into coffee, drizzle it over pancakes, swirl it into oatmeal, blend it into milkshakes, or even add it to baked goods!
Customizable sweetness: Adjust the sugar to suit your taste.
Real pumpkin flavor: Made with pure pumpkin puree for a fuller, more authentic taste.
Keeps well: Store it in the fridge and enjoy for up to two weeks.

Ingredients You Need

Ingredients needed to make homemade pumpkin sauce.

Pumpkin Puree: Use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which already contains sugar and spices. The puree adds natural sweetness, texture, and that unmistakable pumpkin flavor.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar provides sweetness while adding a warm, molasses depth that complements pumpkin perfectly. You can use light or dark brown sugar depending on how deep you want the flavor.
Pumpkin Spice: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This is where all the cozy autumn flavor comes from. You can use store-bought pumpkin spice or make your own homemade pumpkin spice blend.
Water: Helps create the perfect sauce consistency while allowing the sugar to dissolve and the spices to infuse.

Variations & Substitutions

Make it lighter: Reduce the brown sugar to ⅓ cup for a less sweet version.
Different sweeteners: Swap brown sugar for maple syrup or honey for a more natural sweetness.
Bolder spice: Add a pinch of extra cinnamon or ginger if you like a stronger spice kick.
Pumpkin vanilla: Stir in ½ teaspoon vanilla extract after cooking for a subtle, dessert-like note.

Spoon holding up some of the pumpkin sauce from the saucepan.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Sauce

Combine Ingredients: In a saucepan, combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, pumpkin spice, and water. Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly mixed.
Simmer: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. This is where the magic happens as the flavors meld together. Allow the mixture to simmer for 4-5 minutes. You’ll notice it gradually thickening, creating a luxurious, velvety texture.
Cool & Store: Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness, remove it from heat and let it cool. Then, transfer it to a jar or container and store it in the fridge.
To Use: Add a dollop or two of your homemade pumpkin sauce to your next cup of coffee or latte. Stir it in for a burst of pumpkin spice goodness. Top with whipped cream and an extra sprinkle of pumpkin spice for an extra indulgent treat.

Mixing together the homemade pumpkin sauce in a sauce pan.

Pumpkin sauce in a saucepan after cooking down.

Tips for Success

Don’t overcook the sauce! Overcooking can make the sauce too thick. Keep in mind that it will thicken slightly as it cools.
Adjust consistency according to your liking. If your sauce thickens too much after chilling, stir in a splash of water or milk to loosen it.
Taste as you go! Depending on your pumpkin puree brand, you may want to adjust sweetness or spice levels.
Label and date your jar. Homemade sauces can be forgotten in the fridge. Dating helps you enjoy it at peak freshness! In an airtight container in the fridge, this pumpkin syrup will last up to 2 weeks.

Serving Suggestions

Pumpkin Lattes: Stir 1–2 tablespoons into hot coffee or espresso with steamed milk, then top with whipped cream and extra pumpkin spice.
Breakfast: Drizzle over waffles, pancakes, crepes, or French toast for an instant upgrade.
Dessert Topping: Spoon over vanilla ice cream, cheesecake, or bread pudding.
Oatmeal or Yogurt: Stir into your morning bowl of oatmeal or yogurt for natural sweetness and added flavor.

Side view of an ice coffee with pumpkin sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned puree?

Yes! Just roast and puree fresh pumpkin until smooth. You may need to strain it if it’s watery, or reduce the amount of water in the pumpkin sauce. Alternatively, it will just take a bit longer to cook down to the right consistency.

Can I make it sugar-free?

Absolutely. To make sugar free pumpkin syrup, swap brown sugar for your preferred sugar substitute, such as a brown sugar alternative or monk fruit sweetener.

Can I freeze pumpkin sauce?

Yes. Freeze in small portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before using.

Does this taste like Starbucks pumpkin sauce?

Yes and no. It’s similar in flavor to Starbucks pumpkin spice, but uses real pumpkin puree for a richer texture and taste, whereas many commercial syrups use only flavoring.

Hand holding a spoonful of homemade pumpkin sauce above the jar.

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