Spicing Up The Fall

Pumpkin+muffin+mix+being+scooped+into+the+muffin+dish.

Pumpkin muffin mix being scooped into the muffin dish.

Cohen Paxton, Reporter

With fall right around the corner, it is time to start getting prepared for the tasty foods that come with it. Here are some recipes to help you spice up the fall season. 

If you’re looking for a tasty dessert, then pumpkin muffins are the food for you. Not only are pumpkin muffins easy to make, but they are very enjoyable to eat. There are also many things you can do to add your own twist like putting icing on them, putting chocolate chips in them, putting raisins in them, or adding food coloring to add some color.

 The second fall treat is pumpkin dip. Pumpkin dip is an easy side dish to throw on the table to spice up a gathering or party. While this recipe may take longer, it is still very simple. It may be plain and boring by itself, but it is great when you throw it on some graham crackers or cookies. 

Speaking of cookies, this third treat is definitely going to shock you and your tastebuds. Apple cider cookies have always been one of my seasonal favorites. Biting into an apple cider cookie will make your mouth water. It takes two of fall’s greatest things: apple cider and cookies, and puts them together in one amazing treat. 

The final treat I will talk about today is a little different from the rest. Pastries are amazing fall treats, but you need something to wash them down. That’s where hot spiced cider comes in. Hot spiced cider is a crisp drink to sip on in the cold weather of fall. While it may be best to drink hot, it can also be refrigerated and kept over long periods of time. Hot apple cider is a quick and easy drink to make for that family event, or even when you are sitting at home alone.  While I love all of the other treats, nothing comes close to a big glass of hot apple cider.

If any of these fall treats jump out at you please check out the recipes at the bottom of this article to jazz up your seasonal spread. 

Pumpkin spice muffins

  • 1 (10 oz.) can of solid pumpkin
  • 1 c. yellow raisins
  • 1 box of spice cake mix
  • Mix pumpkin and spice cake mix together; stir in raisins (optional); grease muffin tin (12); fill ¾ full. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

 

Pumpkin dip

  • 1 (15 oz.) can of pumpkin
  • 1 (5oz.) box of vanilla instant pudding
  • 1 (16 oz.) ctn. Of cool whip
  • ½ T. pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ T. cinnamon
  • Mix pumpkin, pudding mix, cool whip, and pumpkin pie spice by hand in a large bowl. Chill for several hours before serving. Sprinkle it with cinnamon and serve with the items of your liking. 

 

Apple cider cookies

https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/apple-cider-cookies/242ada72-70c0-46bd-a3da-df1110882d16

  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1package (0.74 oz) apple cider instant drink mix (do not prepare)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1pouch (17.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup finely chopped peeled apple (1 medium)

 

Hot spice cider

  • 1 gal. cider
  • 4 sticks cinnamon
  • 1 T. whole cloves
  • ½ tsp. Nutmeg
  • ½ c. sugar
  • 1 sm. Can of frozen orange juice
  • 6 T. lemon juice
  • Mix cider, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and sugar. Put in a pan and simmer for 10 minutes. Add orange juice and lemon juice. Heat to boil and enjoy.