Three seasonal recipes to fuel your pumpkin spice mania


pumpkin

We all know what characterizes the month of October. No, it’s not just Halloween, or candy or even leaves changing colors — it’s pumpkin. Pumpkin is now everywhere. Grocery store shelves become stocked with more and more pumpkin-themed and flavored goodies each year: peanut butter, English muffins, marshmallows, chocolate — the list goes on. To jump on the pumpkin bandwagon this fall, make your own tasty pumpkin treats.

Customize your Starbucks pumpkin spice latte

Make this classic “basic ­girl” fall favorite by making your own version of Starbuck’s pumpkin spice latte.

For this recipe you will need:

  • 2 cups of milk
  • 2 tablespoons of canned pumpkin puree
  • 1­ – 3 tablespoons of sugar (depending on how sweet you want it)
  • 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice mix*
  • 1⁄2 cup of strong hot coffee
  • whipped cream or cool whip to top (optional)

*To make a pumpkin spice substitute, you can combine cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, allspice and ginger.

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

  1. Heat milk, pumpkin and sugar in a pan until warmed but do not boil. Remove pan from heat and add vanilla, pumpkin spice mix and hot coffee.
  2. Stir until ingredients are combined throughout.
  3. Pour the mixture between two mugs (or one big one if you rather not share your pumpkin-y delight) and garnish with whipped cream and a dash of spice for aesthetics. (Once, I didn’t have any whipped cream but was able to whisk together some cool whip into a soft texture that floated on top of the latte well, to my surprise.)
Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Batches of pumpkin spice cookies

Since you already have a mug full of toasty pumpkin latte, you might as well whip up a batch of this easy cookie recipe. For pumpkin spice cookies, you only need two ingredients. Yes, two — ­well, unless you like chocolate chips.

For this recipe you will need:

  • 1 box of spice cake mix
  • 1 can of pumpkin puree
  • chocolate chips (optional)
  1. Simply mix together the contents of the boxed cake mix with a 16 oz can of pumpkin puree. Add chocolate chips if desired.
  2. Place into a 350-degree oven for about 15­ – 16 minutes and you’re done after using just one bowl!  
Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

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Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Plates of pumpkin pancakes

Another great treat for fall mornings are pumpkin pancakes. Fluffy pancakes are the perfect option for a sweet breakfast. Whip some up on the weekend and share with friends; it’s easy and requires minimal ingredients and cooking time.

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Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

For this recipe you will need:

  • 2 cups of pancake mix (I used a “just add water” one)
  • 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 ⅓ cup of water (or milk, depending on pancake mix)
  • 1 cup of canned pumpkin puree
  • 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
  • Pumpkin spice chips (optional, but they taste great in the pancakes!)
  • Maple syrup to top (optional)
  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
  2. Heat a pan with oil on the stove and pour batter onto the pan in either small or large circular formations.
  3. Flip pancakes onto opposite side after air bubbles appear and edges begin to cook through.
  4. Eat pancakes with maple syrup, butter or a dash of whipped cream on top.
Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Natalie Laczewski | Daily Trojan

Enjoy any (or all) treats together in the morning for a sweet, fall-centric breakfast packed with pumpkin spice and everything nice!