10 Pumpkin Butters Spreading Through Virginia Kitchens

Fall in Virginia brings more than just colorful leaves and cooler temperatures – it brings pumpkin butter season! This sweet, spiced spread has become a kitchen staple across the Commonwealth, appearing at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and family tables.

I’ve rounded up ten of the most delicious pumpkin butters making their mark on Virginia kitchens this season.

1. Shenandoah Valley Harvest Pumpkin Butter

Nothing says autumn in Virginia quite like this rich, velvety spread from the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Local farmers harvest heirloom pumpkins at peak ripeness, creating a butter that’s deeply aromatic with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.

Many Valley families have passed down their secret recipes for generations. I’ve found it pairs wonderfully with fresh-baked biscuits or swirled into morning oatmeal. The balanced sweetness comes from local honey rather than refined sugar.

2. Old Dominion Maple Pumpkin Butter

Virginia maple syrup meets local pumpkins in this unique spread that’s flying off shelves at country stores. The maple flavor adds depth without overwhelming the pumpkin, creating a perfect balance that’s less sweet than commercial varieties.

Family-owned since 1982, Old Dominion Farm uses a slow-cooking method that intensifies flavors. I love spreading this on toast or using it as a secret ingredient in autumn pancake batter. The amber-colored butter comes in distinctive blue mason jars.

3. Blue Ridge Bourbon-Infused Pumpkin Spread

Adults-only pumpkin butter has arrived! This sophisticated spread incorporates Virginia-distilled bourbon that adds warmth and complexity. The alcohol cooks off during preparation, leaving behind notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak that complement the pumpkin’s natural sweetness.

Created by a former chef who relocated to the Blue Ridge foothills, this spread has won three state fair ribbons. I’ve discovered it makes an incredible glaze for roasted chicken or pork. Each small-batch production uses pumpkins grown within 30 miles of the kitchen.

4. Coastal Virginia Sea Salt Pumpkin Butter

Sweet meets savory in this unexpected combination from Virginia’s eastern shore. Artisanal sea salt harvested from coastal waters adds a subtle mineral complexity that balances the sweetness of locally grown sugar pumpkins.

The creator, a former pastry chef, developed this spread after experimenting with salted caramel desserts. My favorite way to enjoy it is spread on a warm buttermilk biscuit with a slice of country ham. The contrast between sweet, salty, and savory creates a truly Virginian taste experience.

5. Fredericksburg Honey-Sweetened Heritage Pumpkin Butter

Bees and pumpkins work together beautifully in this all-natural spread that’s become a staple at the Fredericksburg Farmers Market. Using only local wildflower honey as sweetener, this butter preserves the pure taste of Virginia pumpkins without refined sugar.

The fourth-generation beekeeping family behind this creation maintains hives throughout the region. I’ve found it makes morning yogurt taste like pumpkin pie without the guilt. Each jar comes with a handwritten note about which farm’s pumpkins and which apiary’s honey were used.

6. Richmond’s Urban Spice Pumpkin Butter

City flavor meets country tradition in this boldly spiced spread from Richmond’s growing artisanal food scene. Unexpected additions like cardamom, black pepper, and ginger create a complex flavor profile that stands apart from traditional recipes.

The young couple who crafts this butter sources pumpkins from urban community gardens. I was skeptical until my first taste, but now I’m addicted to spreading it on sourdough toast. Their small-batch approach means each jar varies slightly, with handwritten batch numbers and spice combinations listed on the label.

7. Charlottesville Apple-Pumpkin Butter Blend

Two Virginia harvest favorites combine in this innovative spread that’s changing breakfast across Central Virginia. Local Albemarle Pippin apples and sugar pumpkins create a less sweet, more complex butter that showcases the best of fall flavors.

The orchard-to-jar operation uses a 100-year-old copper kettle for the 12-hour cooking process. I’ve become obsessed with swirling this into my morning coffee for an instant autumn latte. Their sustainable packaging includes returnable glass jars that earn customers a discount on their next purchase.

8. Williamsburg Colonial Recipe Pumpkin Butter

History comes alive in your breakfast spread with this authentic recreation of an 18th-century recipe discovered in Colonial Williamsburg archives. Made using heirloom pumpkin varieties that would have been familiar to Virginia’s early settlers, the recipe remains remarkably unchanged.

Cooked over wood fires in small batches, this butter contains only five ingredients. I especially love the subtle molasses notes that replace modern sugar. Each jar comes with a reproduction of the original handwritten recipe and historical notes about pumpkin cultivation in colonial Virginia.

9. Northern Virginia Chai-Spiced Pumpkin Butter

Global flavors meet Virginia tradition in this multicultural spread that’s becoming a NoVA sensation. Traditional chai spices like cardamom, star anise, and black tea blend perfectly with locally grown sugar pumpkins for a sophisticated twist on the classic.

Created by an Indian-American family farm in Loudoun County, this butter bridges culinary traditions beautifully. I’ve found it makes morning toast extraordinary and adds incredible depth to fall baking recipes. Their sustainable practices include solar-powered cooking facilities and compostable packaging options for environmentally conscious customers.

10. Roanoke Valley Cinnamon-Clove Pumpkin Butter

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge, Roanoke Valley’s signature pumpkin butter balances warm cinnamon with unexpected clove intensity. Family-owned Meadowbrook Farm creates this copper-colored delight using heirloom pumpkins grown on their 4th-generation property.

The butter’s velvety texture spreads easily on warm biscuits, making it a breakfast favorite among locals. What sets it apart is the hint of local wildflower honey that cuts through the spice blend.