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Felicity Warner
Life

Pumpkin Spice, Hold the Gluten

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

I’m no stranger to being left out of the pizza party. When you’re gluten free, watching people eat what you know you can’t have becomes a daily occurrence. Even though I’ve been gluten free for two years (shoutout to my autoimmune disease), I still find it hard to refrain from eating pizza, birthday cake, fair food, and so on.

While the pain is manageable from January to mid-August, it becomes unbearable as soon as pumpkin spice season hits. I’m a frequenter of all cafes that carry the infamous pumpkin spice latte, but sugary coffee is not enough to satiate my hunger for all things fall. I want the themed cookies, the pumpkin bread, the pie! Sometimes I wonder if my immune system can handle just one cookie. But alas, I leave the coffee shop with coffee in one hand and nothing in the other.

woman sitting at a wooden table and holding a latte
nappy/Pexels

If you’re like me and you love pumpkin spice season (but could do without the gluten), here’s a guide to satisfy your cravings!

Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread

The last three times I went to Trader Joe’s, I went out of my way to buy this gluten free pumpkin bread! It is so incredibly easy to make, and it doesn’t even taste gluten free! I’ve made it for my roommates on multiple occasions, and they absolutely love it! Good gluten free treats are hard to find, but this gem will not disappoint! 

Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancake Mix

Not to advertise Trader Joe’s too much, but it went all out with the gluten free food this season. Not only does this mix make up for all the times I haven’t been able to eat pancakes and waffles, but it allows me to celebrate pumpkin spice season in a safe and easy way! I highly recommend this mix if you’ve been deprived of good breakfast food and want to get into the fall spirit.

Natalie

Partake Baked Pumpkin Spice Cookies

These pumpkin spice cookies are top eight allergen free, vegan, and gluten free — perfect for all your dietary restrictions! It feels good to be able to partake in pumpkin spice season without having to worry about an allergic reaction or a flare up. These amazing cookies can be found on their website!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Pumpkin cream cheese can be found in almost every grocery store this season! I love picking up some to put on my Udi’s Gluten Free Bread or even a bagel! This is a perfect way to start your day and get into the fall spirit!

Cafe Bagle Coffee Laptop
Michele Hu / Spoon

Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

I know this isn’t food, but I couldn’t not include this one! If you ever get tired of drinking the classic PSL, consider opting for this lighter option. Topping its traditional cold brew with pumpkin cold foam, Starbucks has crafted a drink that is both festive and delicious. If you can’t eat all the fall treats, you may as well take advantage of all the coffee options!

Lauren is a senior a UC Berkeley studying English, journalism, and public health. She enjoys writing life, literature, and popular culture. Beyond Her Campus, Lauren edits for the UC Berkeley newspaper in the special issues department and freelances for travel and art publications. In her free time, she enjoys reading and going to yoga.
Samhita Sen

UC Berkeley '21

Samhita (she/her pronouns) graduated in December 2021 from UC Berkeley with a double major in Communication/Media Studies and Sociology. At any given moment, she may be frantically writing an essay, carelessly procrastinating by watching Claire Saffitz on YouTube or spending time with people she loves.