Pumpkin Spice Simmer Pot

Last Updated on November 9, 2025 by becky

Made with real pumpkin, plus apples, ginger, and warm autumn spices, this pumpkin spice simmer pot recipe will fill your home with the familiar scents of fall.

Why Do I Love This Pumpkin Spice Simmer Pot?

I know most people get very, very excited about pumpkin spice season, but if I’m fully honest, I’ll always choose summer sundresses, sorbets, and pitchers of icy lemonade over lattes, hayrides, and pumpkin-picking excursions.

That said, I do love a good pumpkin spice recipe—this seasonal spice blend tastes great in everything from dips and smoothies to oatmeal balls and overnight oats, and even chocolate-filled whoopie pies. And the scent works incely in a simmer pot, too.

Made by combining fresh fruit, herbs, and spices in a stock pot and boiling gently on the stovetop over very low heat, simmer pots make the short days and falling temperatures of autumn just a teeny bit more tolerable. In the past, I’ve simmered up scent combos like vanilla and chai, star anise and orange, lime and mint, and strawberry, cardamom, and rose.

This pumpkin spice simmer pot recipe combines real puréed pumpkin with ginger, apples, and whole spices to create a warm, inviting autumn fragrance that perfectly captures the best scents of the season.

Pumpkin Simmer Pot Recipe Ingredients

To make a pumpkin spice simmer pot, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Pumpkin Purée – I tested this simmer pot with plain pumpkin purée, but pumpkin pie filling will work, too. (You’ll only need about 1/2 cup of purée for this recipe, so if you have some left over, you can make these pumpkin hand pies, too!)
• Ginger – I used a 3-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices. Don’t cut the slices too thick or they’ll float to the bottom of the pot. And no need to peel the ginger—just toss it in, peel and all.
• Cinnamon Sticks – I used two cinnamon sticks, but feel free to add a third for a more pronounced cinnamon scent. Save the rest for garnishing glasses of hot buttered brandy.
• Whole Nutmeg – Freshly grated whole nutmeg adds a spicy seasonal scent, but ground nutmeg will work in a pinch.

• Whole Cloves – I mostly use whole cloves in Indian dishes, but they’re ideal for making simmer pots or gingerbread hot chocolate, too.
• Star Anise – Star anise is a brown, star-shaped spice known for its licorice-like scent and flavor. You can save the rest for mulled wine, or to make a star anise and orange simmer pot.
• Allspice – Use whole allspice for this simmer pot, not ground.
• Apple – I chose Granny Smith, but any variety of fresh apple is fine. Simmer pots offer a great way to salvage apples (or other types of produce) that are just slightly past their prime for eating, but still perfectly suitable for simmering!

Can I Re-Use My Pumpkin Simmer Pot?

Most of my simmer pot recipes can be re-used one or two times, but because of the inclusion of canned pumpkin in this recipe, I don’t recommend saving it for a second simmer.

For a reusable simmer pot, try making my citrus simmer pot or vanilla chai simmer pot instead.

Safety Considerations

Never leave a simmer pot unattended. Stay nearby so you can top up the simmer pot with additional water as needed. Don’t allow the pan to run dry, and avoid simmering when there are children or pets nearby.

Simmer pots are meant to be smelled, not eaten!  Once you’re done enjoying the scent, use a fine mesh strainer to drain the liquid. Dispose of water-logged fruit, herbs, and spices with food waste or regular trash.

Other pumpkin spice recipes you might enjoy:

Homemade Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin Spice Biscotti
Spiced Pumpkin Butter
Pumpkin Hand Pies
Pumpkin Spice Caramels
Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats

If you love an autumn-inspired simmer pot, try making my chai vanilla simmer pot, gingerbread simmer pot, or my star anise and orange simmer pot recipe,  too!

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

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