Starbucks has officially brought back their Pumpkin Spice Latte, so that means it's officially fall. While it might also be the season for spooks and for gratitude, fall is also a season for great food. Here are some activities you should try out this fall!
1. Make an apple pie with apples you picked yourself.
There is perhaps nothing more homey like walking into your apartment after baking an apple pie. The sweet smells of cinnamon, warm apples, and freshly baked dough are so enveloping! You'll be especially proud of your apple pie if you picked the apples at a local orchard; Cortland and heavy baking apples are the best!
2. Roast pumpkin seeds.
What do you do with all the Jack-o-Lantern guts? You make roasted pumpkin seeds of course! Clean and dry the seeds, place on a baking tray, and sprinkle with salt (or seasonings of choice). Bake until dry and crispy on a low heat.
3. DIY a pumpkin spice latte.
Pumpkin spice lattes are near and dear to my heart. The good thing is, you can make them at home! This recipe uses a slow cooker, but you can also find other Pinterest recipes that make pumpkin-spice-for-one.
4. Bake pumpkin muffins.
I love baking pumpkin muffins, especially when I can bring them to a work or club breakfast. They're relatively simple to make and can be modified to make them vegan or gluten-free. Check out this pumpkin muffin with a cream cheese swirl recipe. If you love streusel on your muffins, this recipe would work great for you!
5. Eat cider donuts. A lot of them.
New Englanders know and love cider donuts. They're cake donuts covered in cinnamon sugar! I've never had good luck making them myself, so I suggest just buying them from an orchard... sorry.
6. Plan (and hopefully execute) a lavish Thanksgiving dinner.
Thanksgiving gatherings are bound to look much different in 2020. But that doesn't mean you can't plan something that has you in the kitchen all day! Every year, I try to make a new vegan Thanksgiving recipe for my family; it's a good way to keep the classics (turkey, cranberry sauce, and alike) in your rotation while also adding a new, fun twist.
7. DIY mulled cider.
I'm personally not a fan of warm cider, but it does seem to have a cult following somewhere out there. To make your own mulling spices (which you can also add to wine), you'll need brown-sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, all-spice, star anise, and cloves. Spice mix is also a perfect gift for the holidays, check out a how-to here.
8. Start prepping soup recipes for the colder months.
The best meals are the ones I can throw into a pot, leave on the stove, and forget about. I love creamy soup on a cold day, so some of my favorite recipes include Hungarian mushroom soup, Tom Kha Gai, and corn chowder.
9. Throw a fall bonfire with a marshmallow roast.
BYO blankets, of course. Check out my ideas for grown up s'mores here!