I have always loved baking, but for some reason I love baking in the fall most of all. Everyone knows that the best part of October, and fall in general, is all of the delicious recipes featuring pumpkin! It seems like fall brings out the Pinterest addicted baker in all of us, right? While some fall recipes can seem rather daunting, many of them are way easier to do than you would think. I made a list of my top five favorite pumpkin recipes for fall that you can easily make whenever you like. And if all else fails, check out the amazing pumpkin selection of prebaked items at Trader Joe’s, my favorites are the pumpkin oatmeal, pumpkin butter, and pumpkin ravioli. Check them out!
1) The Easiest Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
I love this recipe because it only has four ingredients and takes no time at all to put together. They are perfect for morning when you’re rushing out the door and need to grab something fast.
Ingredients: 1 box of spice cake mix in the baking aisle, 1 can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling), 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and depending on how your day is going, ½ to 1 cup of chocolate chips.
Steps: Mix it all together in a big bowl and scoop into lined muffin tins. I usually bake them at 350 degrees for around 20 minutes, but the ovens in Edmonds are a little questionable, so I would check after 15.
2) Pumpkin Pie
This is also a super easy recipe with only a few ingredients since storage space is limited here in our BC kitchens. Everyone loves pumpkin pie and you should definitely make at least one to share with your roommates before everyone goes home for Thanksgiving
Ingredients: ¾ cup sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, ½ teaspoon of salt, 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling), 1 ¼ cups evaporated milk or half and half, 2 beaten eggs, and 1 pie crust.
Steps: Heat oven to 425 degrees and mix all of the ingredients together. Pour into a pie crust and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature and bake for 40-50 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 2 hours and enjoy!
3) Pumpkin Spice Muddy Buddies
I always have referred to this yummy concoction as puppy chow, but I think it depends on where you’re from. Either way, this pumpkin variation on the classic treat looks amazing. Adding it to my “to make list” ASAP.
Ingredients: 1 box of Cinnamon Chex cereal, 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips, 1 cup dried unsweetened cranberries, 1 cup roasted and salted pumpkin seeds, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, and ½ cup powdered sugar
Steps: Combine cereal, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds in a large bowl and set aside. Slowly melt the chocolate chips in the microwave (I usually do it thirty seconds at a time and stir in between), add the pumpkin pie spice and stir until incorporated. Pour the white chocolate into the cereal mixture and fold in until everything is evenly coated. For the next step you can either pour the cereal mix into two separate bags and add ¼ of powdered sugar to each and shake until combined, or you can just pour the powdered sugar into the big bowl and stir until it is coated evenly.
4) Pumpkin Pie Dip
This is another must make item that would be perfect for any get together with friends. It looks amazing for dipping apple or graham crackers or pretty much anything else you could imagine.
Ingredients: 1 can pumpkin, ¾ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 6 oz. Greek yogurt, 8 oz. Cool Whip, and cut up apples or graham crackers for dipping
Steps: Mix pumpkin, brown sugar, vanilla, and spices together well. Add yogurt and combine. Fold in Cool Whip and chill until ready to eat.
5) Pumpkin Beertail
For everyone over 21, this beertail looks like the perfect addition to any fall tailgate!
Ingredients: Cinnamon sugar rim, ¾ pint glass pumpkin beer, ¼ pint glass sparkling cider, and one slice of lemon
Steps: Rim your glass with cinnamon sugar and then combine all other ingredients and enjoy!
Enjoy!
Photo Sources:
http://www.meals.com/imagesrecipes/18470lrg.jpg
http://therecipecritic.com/2012/10/pumpkin-spice-buddies/
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/11/pumpkin-pie-dip.html
http://dessertstalking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1287261632-fall-pumpkin-dip.jpg
http://static.brit.co.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Beertail-0-645×429.jpg
http://foodloveandlifeblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/life-goodbye-summer-hello-fall.html