As fall begins, so do some of our favorite cliches. Colorful red, orange and yellow leaves will fall from the trees and steamy apple cider drinks will drench the air with a cinnamon scent. But, most importantly, we will all have an excuse to eat pumpkin spice for every meal.
Here are some fun, versatile recipes that include pumpkin spice.
It’s not fall without a pumpkin pie. This classic recipe is easy, cheap and perfect for a fall dessert.
Ingredients: Filling: ¾ cup of sugar, 1 ½ teaspoon of pumpkin spice (see recipe above), ½ teaspoon of salt, 1 15 oz can of pumpkin, 1 ¼ cup of milk or of half and half, 2 beaten eggs
Instructions: Preheat oven to 425 F. In large bowl, mix filling ingredients. For fast results, use store bought pie crust. Bake the crust for about 30 minutes. Let cool for about 15 minutes. Add filling. Turn oven down to 325 F, bake the pie for about 15 minutes.
The creamy filling and flaky pastry combo makes for a classic fall favorite. However, the star of this pumpkin pie is the tangy pumpkin spice. If you want to make your own spice instead of buying it at a store, here’s a recipe.
Pumpkin spice can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Here’s a great pumpkin spice pancake recipe that makes for a quick and hearty fall breakfast.
Ingredients: 1 cup of buttermilk pancake mix, 1 cup of cold water, ⅓ cup of canned pumpkin, ¾ teaspoon pumpkin spice (see recipe above)
Directions: Combine ingredients in medium bowl but make sure you don’t over stir. Heat griddle to medium temperature. Spoon two tablespoons onto griddle per pancake. Cook each side of the pancake for about two minutes each. Remove pancakes from griddle, let cool then eat.
A delicious topping on any hot beverage or dessert is whipped cream. It tastes even better with a hint of pumpkin spice. Throw some whipped cream on those pancakes with a slight accent of pumpkin spice.
The best snacks are made fast and taste salty, yet sweet. A seasonal pumpkin spice popcorn encompasses all these key components to a delicious snack.
Ingredients: 1 cup of popcorn, ¼ stick of butter, 1 ½ teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice (see recipe above)
Directions: Pop popcorn. Pour the butter over the popcorn. Sprinkle the homemade pumpkin spice over the popcorn. Mix, enjoy!
If you’re looking to make this snack a little more wholesome, add some nuts or dried fruits in. Both taste delicious with popcorn and even better with the pumpkin spice mix.
Pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks can be delicious, but also pricey. Try this less expensive version.
Ingredients: Coffee beans, 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice mix (see recipe above), 1 tablespoon of milk (optional), 1 teaspoon of sugar (optional)
Directions: Put ground coffee in coffee machine. Add pumpkin spice mix to the ground coffee beans. Add hot water. Let machine filter coffee. Add milk and sugar as desired, enjoy.
This coffee is quick to make and is guaranteed to give your morning a burst.
Not only is pumpkin spice quick and simple to make, it is a mixture that can be added to anything. Whether it be the classic pumpkin pie or a unique popcorn blend, a dash of pumpkin spice is sure to make a meal festive and delicious.
