Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice
Despite the last post where it was anything but pumpkin spice, I would be remiss if I did not include it.
On August 24, the release of the pumpkin spice latte has once again created a frenzy in the dessert drinking, caffeine wielding consumers. By this point, grocery stores have placed their in-aisle cut-outs, end displays and manager specials with the autumn seasonal items of, you guessed it, PUMPKIN SPICE.
They have unequivocally zeroed in on the predominantly high traffic areas to catch the customer’s attention. Displays are littered with everything pumpkin, from pumpkin spice almonds to pumpkin spice graham crackers to pumpkin spice protein powder. It’s everywhere. Want some pasta sauce or cereal laden in it? You got it. And this obsession seems to be growing, stores capitalizing on it any which way they can.
Pumpkin spice is a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and sometimes ginger. Everything you want in a pumpkin pie. Then the marketing geniuses jumped in and somehow thought to make it seem like its own prolific holiday.
Currently, it sounds like a have a distaste for pumpkin. I don’t. Truly. I just don’t have a handle as to why people love the artificial versions so much more. In fact, I am one of those people who come September 1 is ready to break out my sweaters, scarfs and new boots. (How are we wearing wide leg pants come rainy weather, BTW?!?) And even though summer is still letting it out its last sighs of hot weather, I’m dishing out baking filled with pumpkin spice.
This flavour is utterly rooted in the spirit of autumn. Like spring, fall indicates a new change of season – one of rebirth. It’s back to school, a fresh slate, a “new year”, the start of the holiday season. You start to feel the first chills in the air, witness the leaves suddenly altering their appearance, and have the urge for nesting. Like the concept of hygge, you find comfort at home and nestle in the couch cushions with a good book, feeling less conscious of the outside world.
For me, the notion of pumpkin (convenience food aside) brings a nostalgic boost of bringing people together. Already, the kids are sitting at the counter while I bake, just waiting to lick the spoons and spatulas from my latest baking projects. Soon as the weather cools down I, like countless others, celebrate the unofficial start to baking season using flavours that are just oh-so particularly suited for this time of year.
Here, I’ve gathered some of my timeless pumpkin recipes for you to try. Perhaps then you can bypass the Pumpkin Spice Flavor Ramen Noodles in Sauce.
Tasty Pumpkin Recipes
PUMPKIN PIE SPICE
It’s called pumpkin pie spice because this spice blend is typically used to flavor pumpkin pie and other pumpkin desserts.
LITTLE PUMPKIN PECAN MUFFINS
These are a frequent request in our house. Leave off the pecans to make them school-friendly.
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP BLONDIES
One of my bestie’s littles have deemed this to be “the best deliciousness ever” when I did a test run of this recipe.
And I have to agree!
ROASTED PUMPKIN SOUP
The roasted veggies really make all of the difference with the tangy Granny Smith apple, the sweet notes of the red bell pepper and the fragrant sage leaves.
PUMPKIN BUNDT CAKE WITIH MAPLE BROWN-BUTTER GLAZE
Here, a dense, moist cake full of warm fall spices and pumpkin purée is encased in a layer of rich, nutty brown-butter maple glaze.
PUMPKIN SMOOTHIE WITH CASHEW BUTTER
This pumpkin smoothie is a perfect smoothie recipe for fall. It incorporates all of your favorite fall flavors plus some smoothie staples you probably have in your freezer right now.
PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE OVERNIGHT OATS
Fall calls for pumpkin overnight oats! This pumpkin cheesecake overnight oats recipe is made with rolled oats, chia seeds, Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, and a little maple syrup.
PUMPKIN LOAF WITH BROWN BUTTER & BOURBON
This hearty pumpkin bread is a sophisticated twist on the traditional version with the addition of bourbon (teetotalers can substitute apple cider), browned butter and cardamom.
STUFFED PUMPKIN SHELLS
Luxuriously creamy, rich and comforting with the most epic garlic parmesan cream sauce that you’ll want to put on everything!
COCONUT CURRY CHICKPEAS WITH PUMPKIN & LIME
Canned pumpkin purée and coconut milk, heavily seasoned with curry spices and lots of fresh lime juice, make a sweet-sharp sauce for chickpeas. It’s a rich, creamy curry that you can eat on its own, or serve over rice or couscous.
PUMPKIN CHILI
If you try to contain your pumpkin obsession to just fall desserts, you are seriously missing out! Here, pumpkin gives an otherwise traditional chili a ton of body while also adding a slightly sweet and earthy flavor. It's the ingredient you never knew your chili recipe was missing!