Yes, we admit it: The pumpkin spice craze has gotten just a little out of hand. Every year, the long-awaited “pumpkin spice season” as declared by the release of the famed Starbucks® Pumpkin Spice Latte (or PSL as it’s known these days…yep, there’s even an acronym for it…) begins slightly earlier. Even WE have to say that this year’s August 30 launch was a bit aggressive. It wasn’t even Labor Day yet. We’re not exactly sure how we feel about being able to wear white pants and shoes while drinking a pumpkin spice latte. It certainly doesn’t feel like fall when certain places in the country are still experiencing triple-digit temperatures.
That said, we’re also not mad about it. Secretly…or not so secretly…we’re kind of obsessed too. Consuming pumpkin spice anything is like the gastronomical equivalent of wearing a warm, fuzzy, sweater. We’re huge fans of all things pumpkin spice, and you can tell by the number of delicious recipes we have on our website that feature pumpkin spice (and everything nice) that we take PSL season pretty damn seriously.
So, whether you like your pumpkin spice hot, iced, baked, frozen, or all of the above, we’ve got something tasty for you to enjoy during this fall season, or let’s be honest, all year round.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream
Speaking of the warmer “fall” weather, we’ve already thought of a solution: pumpkin spice latte ice cream. Yep. This pumpkiny, cinnamony, spicy dessert is sure to please diehard pumpkin spice latte lovers and newcomers alike. One bite, and you’ll forget this was ever just a drink…
Pumpkin Spice Hash
You’ll frequently find sweet potatoes in a breakfast hash, so it’s not the biggest departure to go pumpkin…spice. In fact, the blend of a little sweet and mostly savory is quite nice. Also, this recipe is perfect for football season whether you’re actually tailgating or watching the game at home. If you love breakfast foods as much as we do, this one’s for you…
Pumpkin Spice Pie
As we start to think about Thanksgiving (yes, we’re already thinking about this food-centric holiday), we offer up this recipe in lieu of buying a run-of-the-mill pumpkin pie from the store that you know is sure to disappoint. (C’mon, you know they never reheat well…) If you’re worried you don’t have the skills to bake a pie, knock that off immediately. You can do this.
Pumpkin Spice Empanadas
Yep, we went there because, why not? Empanadas are already like little pastry pockets of joy, so filling them with those classic, beloved fall flavors of pumpkin and cream...well, you can imagine…These sweet South American-inspired pastries will have all your friends drooling before they’re even out of the oven.
Bourbon Pumpkin Cupcakes
Bourbon, pumpkin, cupcake. Need we say more?
These cupcakes are ridiculous and very, very bourbon-y (boozy). And we offer them up gluten free on top of that! (Obviously, you can make them with regular flour as well, but we would not recommend taking out the bourbon or the pumpkin because that would be no fun.)
Pumpkin Spice S’mores
S’mores are amazing for a bonfire or camping, but nobody put s’mores in a corner. They are just as appropriate on game day. (We’ve actually done many a bonfire on game day.) Chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers are already delicious together, but we think you’ll find that with the addition of pumpkin spice, it takes s’mores to a whole new, magical level.
Pumpkin Alfredo Gnocchi
Gnocchi are one of those gut-sticking, hearty foods that are great for fall and winter. When cooked right, they’re soft as clouds and make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Add some pumpkin-spiced flavors to the mix, and this dish is the epitome of fall melting in your mouth.
Peanut & Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin bread is already amazing, but add peanuts and pumpkin spice to the blend, and now we’re talking. This is a SUPER easy dish to enjoy for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or for dessert. Plus, it’s vegan-friendly! (Depending on the oats, it can also be gluten-free). One of our favorite things to do is serve this hot topped with a dollop of peanut butter. For those without peanut allergies, this is an instance where more (not less) peanut is better.
_______________
If you’re not craving pumpkin spice by now, we think you might be just a tad bit crazy :) Whether you’re ready for fall or still savoring the last sips of summer, we say pumpkin spice is always in season.