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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Pace chapter.

People frequently say that fall is the prime Gossip Girl or Gilmore Girls rewatching season. For me, it’s the peak of Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s seasonal items are my Super Bowl. From the vast selection of items that are stocked for the season, these 10 are the ones that are the first to be in my cart!  

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

This creamy, warm, melt-in-your-mouth pasta truly is “fall” in a bowl. The sage and nutmeg are the perfect seasonal spices that highlight the natural creaminess of the butternut squash. The three cheeses create the most delicious sauce to douse the noodles in. Trader Joe’s creates a new twist to the comfort food we all love, and simultaneously fills it with vegetables as well.

Mini Spicy Pumpkin Samosas

A seasonal twist on a traditional samosa. Each triangle of flaky filo pastry is packed full of traditional Indian spices and pumpkin pieces. If prepared in the oven or an air fryer, they are both crispy on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside. The small pieces of paneer cheese create the perfect textural difference to the pumpkin filling. These seemingly small appetizers provide all the warm and comforting flavors I crave all season. I always buy more than one box at a time, and make sure to visit the Trader Joe’s on Columbus Ave. on their restock days. If you wait too long, they’re sure to be sold out.

Pumpkin Ginger Hold the Cones

My favorite flavor of my favorite ice cream cones! As a pumpkin-lover, I may be biased, but I believe that these are the ideal desserts for any occasion. My only complaint is that there are only eight in a box! It’s the perfect combination of creamy pumpkin ice cream with a soft ginger cone that’s then coated in a delightful “confectionary dip,” which resembles a mix of royal icing and white chocolate. The box says a single serving is three cones, so you don’t have to have any guilt in eating more than one. And trust me — one cone will never be enough.

Maple-Flavored Toffee

My second favorite seasonal dessert. I was hesitant to get these at first, but my best friend convinced me and now I need to convince you to buy these. They provide the tried and true maple flavor, while still being not overly sweet. They’re inspired by England’s favorite treat, butter fudge. They deliver a faultless saltiness to complement the natural sweetness of the maple. Truly a melt-in-your-mouth experience, it’s hard to not eat a whole box in one sitting. 

Pumpkin Butter

A fantastic fall condiment to start my day with! My personal favorite way to eat it is with toasted sourdough that is lathered in regular butter and then topped with pumpkin butter. For extra pumpkin flavor, try spreading it on a toasted piece of the pumpkin brioche twist. You can also lean into its savory side and pair it with cheese. It’s a jar of seasonal flavors that do nothing but bring you joy.

Maple Leaf Cookies

I know what you’re thinking: these aren’t actual seasonal cookies. You’re right, however, I don’t think anyone could argue that these don’t encapsulate all that fall has to offer. They’re the perfect way to showcase the fall vibes year-round. These cookies are similar to the fan-favorite Oreo sandwich cookies, but bring a maple leaf twist to them. They are soft, yet crumbly and are filled with the most decadent maple cream filling. Wh

Pumpkin Brioche Twist

Each slice is soft and fluffy with an immaculate twist of pumpkin throughout. I enjoy it most when it’s toasted and covered in butter, pumpkin spread, or cream cheese. If you have leftovers, or it begins to go stale, don’t hesitate to turn it into French toast. It’s a wonderful way to start your day on any fall morning.

Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli

My go-to quick dinner. Each ravioli is a balanced pocket full of sweetness from the honey and brown sugar and savoriness from the pumpkin and cheese. I typically eat them covered in pesto and they never disappoint. I can have them cooked and ready to eat in under ten minutes, impeccable for girl dinner!

Spiced Cider

The most comforting drink you could ask for. Once heated, it tastes like a mug of all my hopes and dreams. Every sip makes me more and more ready for it to start to get colder and for the leaves to change. An extra sprinkle of cinnamon on top, and it truly couldn’t get any better.

Pumpkin Frozen Waffles

An ideal on-the-go breakfast. Pop these in the toaster and slather in butter or peanut butter for a Gilmore Girls fall breakfast. Also, as a bonus, they can make a great base for a fall-inspired ice cream sandwich. These waffles can truly do no harm.

Cassidy Burry is originally from northern California and is a current sophomore at Pace University. She is majoring in Communications and Media, with a minor in digital storytelling and journalism, and french studies. This is her second year as a member of Her Campus Pace. Throughout her childhood she has collected various magazines, and Vogue in particular has been a great inspiration in her decision to pursue journalism. Cassidy also writes articles for a nonprofit, SisterLove, based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are the first women’s HIV, sexual, and reproductive justice organization in the southeastern United States. She feels honored to help advocate and educate people on the importance of reproductive and health care rights. These rights are extremely important to Cassidy, and ones she will not stop fighting for. Cassidy loves spending time with kids. Over the summer she is a summer camp counselor, at Camp Winnarainbow. Before that she worked at a school program. That involved taking kids, ages four through seven, to different parks, beaches, and other locations native to northern California. They would focus on teaching the kids the importance of the environment and how to leave it better than we found it. They regularly would clean up the beaches and parks they visited. Cassidy has always had a love for her community and giving back. She spent a large majority of her time in high school volunteering at a kitchen and garden that grew and produced meals for chronically ill people and their family. In her free time she works part time as a barista at a local bakery. Cassidy has a deep love for music ranging from all genres. She was actually named after the song “Cassidy '' by the Grateful Dead. She has found that being named after that legendary band has brought meaningful connections to her everyday life. For the majority of her childhood she played competitive soccer. And now that she is no longer playing herself, she looks forward to the Women’s World Cup every four years. She hopes that women in sports will gain more recognition in the future, and will not be seen as second to men’s sport.