Whether you enjoy spending the autumn season out on a brisk walk, snuggled by a fireplace, apple picking, or early Christmas shopping, we've got the perfect autumn-inspired desserts to satisfy every sweet tooth this season!
Find Fresh Fall Produce
As the leaves fall down in most parts of North America, it's time to soar high with these sensational desserts! Using popular fall fruits and veggies is a great way to shop locally and enjoy the tastes produced by the season.
This produce can include apples, cranberries, beets, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, squash, carrots, and more! It may also be an excellent time to practice preparing or taste-testing these desserts so you can swiftly serve them up for family and friends on Thanksgiving Day or Halloween!
Coated Candied Apples
Did you know over 7,500 different types of apples exist globally? 2,500 types exist in the USA alone!
From Australia to the United States, apples are grown and consumed each year by apple lovers everywhere. Whether your fave apple is Red Delicious or Granny Smith, enjoy adding festive flavors to this fall fruit for extra fun!
Caramel Apples
To create a super-sweet snack, start by washing your apples and thoroughly drying them. Set the apples aside as you melt down store-bought caramels in a pot and add in a splash of heavy cream. Once melted, insert a wooden stick into the apples and dunk them in the melted caramel. Set the apples on a tray lined with parchment paper and greased with cooking spray to cool in the refrigerator OR have bowls of additional toppings close by to dunk the caramel-coated apples into before cooling. Some additional (and delicious!) toppings include thinly chopped nuts (like peanuts or pecans), festive-colored sprinkles, or dried fruits (like cranberries or raisins).
Candy Apples
For crunchy candy apples, you will need a medium-large pot filled with ¾ cups of water, 2 cups of granulated sugar, ½ cup of light corn syrup, 16 drops of red food coloring, and 6 granny smith apples. (Best type for the crunch!)
Heat the ingredients for about 15-20 minutes or until the mix is between 300 and 310 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the liquid will be very hot, you will need to be very careful and quick. Insert a wooden spoon into each apple and dunk the apple into the red hot liquid. Once dunked, transfer it to the prepared baking sheet and cool it in the fridge before serving.
Pumpkin Spice Raisin Cookies
What you will need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 3/4 cup raw sugar, plus additional for sprinkling
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup raisins
Position your rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 heavy large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and allspice. Stir to blend well. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, pumpkin puree, oil, syrup and vanilla; whisk to blend. Using a flexible rubber spatula, gradually stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture. Stir in the raisins.
For each cookie, drop 1 generous tablespoon of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing the mounds about 1 inch apart (or use a mini ice cream scoop). Using moistened fingertips, flatten each to a 2-inch-diameter round. Sprinkle each cookie with a bit more raw sugar.
Bake the cookies until brown and a bit firm to the touch, 17 to 20 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to a rack and cool completely.
Secret Squash Pecan Pie
If you're a fan of the perfect pumpkin pie, it's time to try out the next big secret- the smashing squash pie!
This dish is sure to be a hit at any festive function, and the recipe below will be able to serve 16 lucky guests.
What you will need:
- Cooking spray
- 2 ½ pounds squash (1 Medium Squash), halved lengthwise and seeded
- 1 Refrigerated Pie Crust, unprepared
- 2 tbsp All-purpose Flour
- 3 Large Eggs
- ½ cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
- ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
- ½ tsp Ground Ginger
- ⅓ cup Brown Sugar
- ½ cup Pecan Halves
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 cup Whipped Topping
Steps to perfect pie:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with foil and grease with cooking spray. Place the squash (cut-side down) on the pan and bake until tender (approx. 1 hour). Let cool. Leave the oven on.
Lightly flour the prepping area and unroll the pie crust on it. Flour a rolling pin and roll the crust into a 12-inch round. Fill a 10-inch tart pan (with a removable bottom) with the 12-inch round. Press the 12-inch round of dough onto the bottom and sides of the tart pan and tuck the edges of the crust to be even with the pan rim. Bake the dough until lightly browned (approx. 10 minutes) and let the crust cool on the wire rack.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Scoop the baked squash into a food processor and mix it into a squash puree. Transfer only 2 cups of the puree into a medium bowl (keep the remainder of the squash for later use) and whisk in the eggs, milk, cinnamon, ginger, and ⅓ cup of brown sugar in the bowl. Line the sheet pan with new, clean foil and place the tart pan on it. Pour the squash puree into the crust and bake the pie until the center is set (approx. 35 minutes), then let cool on the wire rack. Leave the oven on.
Line a smaller baking pan sheet with foil and grease with cooking spray. Grab a small bowl and mix in the nuts, remaining 2 tbsp of brown sugar, and 1 tsp of water. Spread the coated nuts in a single layer on the prepared pan. Bake the nuts until toasted (approx. 10 mins). Let cool. Chop the nuts. Cut the pie into 16ths.
While warm, slice out the pie pieces, sprinkle with nuts, 1 tbsp whipped topping, and serve up the sweet squash treat!
Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies aren't just for Christmas anymore. Bake these up and enjoy decorating with your kids!
What you will need
- 3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated if possible
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
- 2/3 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar light or dark
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract best quality available
- 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
In a large bowl bowl, combine dry ingredients. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Add both sugars and beat until fully combined and fluffy. Then, add the egg, vanilla, and pumpkin and beat to combine. Scrap down the sides of your bowl with a spatula. Turn your mixer to low and add the flour mixture, slowly. Mix until all of the flour is mixed in, and the mixture begins to ball up and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
Put the dough on a clean work surface, kneed to incorporate and bits of dough. Then, divide the dough into two sections and form balls. Place balls of dough in plastic wrap, flatten the dough into large disks, and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. When the dough has chilled, roll out onto lightly floured surface and cut out desired shapes.
Bake cookies in a pre-heated, 350*F oven, on ungreased baking sheets 9-11 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies.
Traditional Pumpkin Spice
If you're feeling like enjoying a scrumptiously warm beverage, look no further than the beloved Pumpkin Spice!
For a mug of this delicious drink, start with ½ cup of milk of your choosing (like whole, soy, or coconut) and add in 2 tbsp of plain, unsweetened pumpkin puree. Add a pinch of brown sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. Whisk together and put in the microwave or on the stovetop until steamy. Make sure not to burn, and enjoy the aroma too!
Pour about 1 cup of pre-made coffee or an espresso shot into the pumpkin-spiced milk and stir generously. Add in a couple extra splashes of cream and a teaspoon (or two) of sugar to sweeten (to your desire). Add whipped cream to the top to finish the festivity, and sprinkle on some nutmeg powder or grated cinnamon sticks!
We hope you enjoy the Fall! It's our favorite time of year.
#heatholders #makinglifewarmer #fallfavorites #pumpkinspice
Get an extra buzz this season, and try adding a shot of spiced or regular rum, bourbon, or baileys to your coffee first!
Whatever your taste buds are sensing this season, we hope you enjoy the festivities with the best of company! A savory dish to share will leave guests with bright smiles and a satisfied sweet tooth!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
#HeatHolders #MakingLifeWarmer
