If you’re staying inside this Fall and need some baking inspiration to keep you from running to your local coffee shop as soon as you start getting pumpkin spice cravings, look no further!
Now that we’re decently into the Fall season, it’s time to start using up the pumpkin puree that’s been sitting at the back of your cabinet. We’re talking Pumpkin everything. Pumpkin treats are a perfect cross-over of my two of my favorite things: Fall and baking. Baking has always been such a comforting activity for me, even more-so than the baked goods themselves, so I hope to share that with you with this compilation. Whether you fancy yourself an amatuer baker or you tend to stick to ready-made Tollhouse cookie dough, there’s something in here for everyone.
- Pumpkin Bread
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It is a truth universally acknowledged that pumpkin bread is the ultimate comfort food.
But honestly, I find that sweet bread like pumpkin loaves is the perfect kind of baked good to gift, whether to cheer up a friend or act as a home-made holiday gift – Pumpkin bread is typically a crowd-pleaser. For years I purchased the Starbucks Pumpkin loaves religiously. I loved them so much that I ate them year round. It wasn’t until I moved to Canada that I realized I had better learn how to make pumpkin bread myself because it’s a seasonal treat here (In the states, they offer it year round!)
So whether you’re baking one or for many, pumpkin bread is the perfect place to start!
- Pumpkin Pancakes
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Spice up your pancake batter with some pumpkin! I first started making pumpkin pancakes because my dad had started growing pumpkins in the backyard, and we ended up having to look for creative ways to use our endless supply of pumpkin puree. Ever since then, I have been obsessed with them! This year I used this recipe (https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/pumpkin-pancakes.html) and made the mistake of adding a little too much ginger, so make sure to measure out those spices carefully; otherwise, you’ll end up with some spicy pancakes.
Alternate: If you want to get a little more adventurous with your breakfast choices, try adding pumpkin to your waffle mix as well! As a lover of waffles myself, I can’t imagine this being anything but absolutely delicious.
- Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
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Name a better duo than pumpkin and cream cheese. I’ll wait.
In all seriousness, these cookies are great if you want a simple Fall treat. They have been a favorite of mine since my Home Economics days in middle school. And if middle schoolers can make them, so can you! Here is a recipe from Betty Crocker that does the trick (https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pumpkin-cookies-with-browned-butter-frosting/f93eba9b-f074-42c3-8bef-6a74d3cab699).
Alternate: Not a fan of cream cheese? I find that pumpkin cookies are a bit dry without some frosting, so try an old-fashioned recipe like this (https://www.verybestbaking.com/libbys/recipes/old-fashioned-soft-pumpkin-cookies/?keywords=pumpkin%20bars) that uses an icing glaze rather than a heavy cream cheese frosting.
- Pumpkin Spice Coffee
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You cannot avoid the Fall staple that is the Pumpkin Spice Latte. It isn’t Fall until I’ve taken a sip of that infamous drink. But if you want to get into the Fall mood without having to make the trip to the coffee shop or breaking the bank (those lattes are expensive!), try out this simple recipe (https://www.inspiredtaste.net/8419/pumpkin-spice-latte-at-home-recipe/). This recipe works well if you are like me and only own a simple coffee maker rather than a full-on latte machine. Make sure to garnish your coffee drink with lots of whipped cream and cinnamon to get the full pumpkin spice experience!
- Pumpkin Brownies
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Chocolate and Pumpkin? It’s a better combination than you might think. But then again, who doesn’t love chocolate?
I tried this particular recipe for the time this year (https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/211165/pumpkin-brownies/) and I found that it was pretty simple to follow. However, I did, make the mistake of not dividing the batter equally, causing me to end up with much more pumpkin batter than brownie batter. My suggestion is that if your batters are unequal, to add chocolate to the larger batter. They are called brownies for a reason; your brownie batter has to be sufficient enough to act as the base to your dessert and hold up the pumpkin mixture. Otherwise, this is a delicious dessert for the chocolate lover!
Hopefully, these pumpkin recipes can bring you warmth and joy during these chilly months, as well as comfort during these isolating times. Host a bake-a-thon and bake with your friends over Zoom. Join the family Zoom call with a steaming cup of Pumpkin Spice. Put together a box of pumpkin treats to drop off at friends’ houses. We all need a little holiday cheer. Happy baking!