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

With the autumn weather well under way and colder weather to follow. Now is the perfect time to enjoy the flavors of fall before the snowy winds whisk them away! Plenty of establishments have their own festivities planned for customers to enjoy. Several can even be made caffeine free or with other modifications such as alternative milk so more people can celebrate this beautiful season. Here are some of my favorites!

Starbucks

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin – This muffin is different from the standard mental image of a muffin many may think of. It is a slightly dense batter with a well of wonderful cream cheese to bring a bright, almost acidic flavor to the thick outer walls of pumpkin batter. 

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew – This mouthwatering beverage combines several textures and flavors to make a party in your mouth. This crisp coffee is topped with a thick, creamy foam and topped with cinnamon to create layers of flavor in a single cup. I find that it is best when all swirled together to get the full flavor combination. While there is no decaf cold brew at Starbucks, one can request for all the syrups and toppings to be put on an iced decaf Americano to achieve the same effect! Either way this coffee is wonderfully paired with the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin for breakfast or a flavorful snack.  

Iced Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato – This drink is my personal fall favorite carried by Starbucks. It is also easily made decaf by request and tastes like a sweet caramel apple. The salty caramel flavor contrasts the strong flavor of a crispy fall apple to bring a taste of childhood to your flavor palette.

Dunkin’ Donuts

Nutty Pumpkin Coffee – For fans of a little flavor in their coffee, look no further than the Nutty Pumpkin Coffee! It’s free of whipped cream and other toppings to just focus on the coffee itself! It has a sweet flavor followed by a mellow toffee nut taste to give a smooth texture to what normally would be a crunchy pie crust. 

Pumpkin Muffin – For pastry lovers, this muffin is a must. It is a simple pumpkin bread baked with a crispy streusel crust that will make any day better. 

Pumpkin Cake Donut – This heavenly pastry is exactly the breakfast item to eat if craving a dessert like sweetness. The blend of pumpkin spices meets a sweet pumpkin cake like batter. The donut is light, fluffy, and covered in a glaze that melts in your mouth. 

Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte – Lattes are a classic for all times of year. Dunkin’ takes the opportunity of hot and cold weather to offer their signature pumpkin spice flavor both hot and on ice. When on ice, the blonde colored coffee is topped with whipped cream, cinnamon, sugar, and caramel drizzle to give an Instagram worthy look and taste. 

Maple Bacon Sandwich – Another not pumpkin related product that is found seasonally is this wonderful breakfast sandwich. It pairs a savory bacon with the light flavors of a sweet maple syrup. It is paired with egg on cheese and placed on a buttery, airy croissant to enjoy. My favorite way to enjoy this is with a Nutty Pumpkin coffee!

Wendy’s

Pumpkin Spice Frosty – This snack is no different from a regular frosty except in terms of flavor. It is still the smooth, creamy ice cream that comes with a straw and spoon to be enjoyed as either soft serve or a drink. The rich flavor still pairs perfectly with any size of fries for the perfect sweet and savory combination sure to bring a smile to your face. 

Tim Hortons

Pumpkin Spice Latte – Despite other products being available on the Tim Hortons menu, not all items can be replicated as a decaf coffee in hot or iced form. The Pumpkin Spiced Latte can be requested to be with decaf coffee and keep the signature flavors and toppings. This drink is topped with a wonderful whipped cream finish just like pumpkin pie! 

Pumpkin Spiced Donut – A delicious treat that has all the wonderful cinnamon and nutmeg flavor of a pumpkin pie, covered in a thin sugary glaze to bring out the sweetness of the pumpkin flavor. It comes in both a full donut and timbit form if you want to have a variety available to eat all at once, and can be enjoyed easily by younger children. 

Fall flavors may not be for everyone! Especially for those that like only a little bit of flavor in their coffee. However, many stores will make an iced or regular coffee with just a smidge of the syrup of choice to still bring a hint of the flavor without being overly sweet. As a customer of many breakfast or beverage based establishments, trying new seasonal flavors is one of the ways I love to celebrate the changing of seasons. Local shops have many delicious delights to explore! There are festive flavors customizable for everyone.  

Phebe Jones is the Treasurer for Her Campus at MSU. Jones is a senior studying biochemistry as well as molecular genetics. Jones has published many times by local libraries for summer writing contests. She doesn't write often in her majors and wants to keep in enjoying one of her favorite activities. In her free time, Jones enjoys: reading, videogames, horror movies, listening to music, and cartoons.