Fall has to be my favorite time of the year. Besides the beautiful weather, gorgeous foliage, and Halloween and Thanksgiving, I love everything pumpkin and incorporating it into every recipe I can. Pumpkin as an ingredient is very versatile, and the possibilities are endless. From pumpkin cheesecake to a pumpkin spice latte, here is a list of my favorite fall recipes that are sure to spice up Thanksgiving or any fall festivity.

#1 – Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin bread is a classic fall treat that remains popular throughout the entire year. I find myself making pumpkin bread at least once every few months as a reminder of my favorite season. The flavor is timeless, and it is easy to devour a whole loaf in one sitting. 

For this recipe you will need:

• • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 15-oz can of pumpkin puree

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk until well combined.
• In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until just blended. 
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until very light and fluffy, for a few minutes.
• Beat in the pumpkin.
• Add the flour mixture into the large bowl and mix on low speed until combined.
• Spread in a loaf pan and bake for 65 minutes.

adapted from: https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/spiced-pumpkin-bread.html

#2 – Pumpkin Cheesecake

I know that pumpkin pie is a traditional dessert when it comes to Thanksgiving or the season of fall, however, a pumpkin cheesecake adds an extra smooth layer of goodness. This dessert combines a classic cheesecake with a taste of fall that is unlikely to disappoint. 

For this recipe you will need:

(Crust)

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

(Filling)

• 3 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
• 15 oz can pumpkin 
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp vanilla 

Instructions:

• In a medium bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Use a spoon to press crumbs into the bottom of a springform pan. Bake at 350˚F for 8 minutes.
• In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.
• In a separate bowl, using a whisk, stir together pumpkin, eggs, sour cream, flour, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and vanilla. Mix until well combined. Add this mixture to the cheesecake filling and continue mixing on low speed just until well combined.
• Transfer filling into crust and bake at 350˚F for 1 hour.
• Turn off heat, prop the oven door open slightly and let sit in the oven another 45 min. Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature before covering with plastic wrap and refrigerating. Serve when fully chilled.

adapted from: https://natashaskitchen.com/pumpkin-cheesecake-recipe/#jump-to-recipe)

#3 – Pumpkin Spice Latte

Who needs Starbucks when you can make your own pumpkin spice latte? With this simple recipe you can save your wallet from suffering each time you crave a five dollar pumpkin latte by making it at home!

For this recipe you will need: 

• 2 cups milk
• 2 Tbsp pumpkin puree
• 1 to 3 Tbsp sugar (depending on how sweet you want it)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup strong hot coffee
• Whipped cream, for serving

Instructions:

• Add milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until hot. (do not boil!)
• Remove from the heat and whisk in vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and coffee.
• Divide the mixture between two mugs. Top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice.

adapted from:

https://www.inspiredtaste.net/8419/pumpkin-spice-latte-at-home-recipe/#itr-recipe-8419

#4 – Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Nothing beats biting into a soft cookie with melted chocolate chips still warm from the oven. Now picture this with a pumpkin flavor mixing well with the chocolate as it fills your tastebuds. This is one of my favorite fall dessert staples, and you can never go wrong with a simple pumpkin chocolate chip cookie. 

For this recipe you will need:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and salt for 20 seconds, set aside.
• In the bowl of stand mixer, blend together granulated sugar, brown sugar and vegetable oil until combined. 
• Mix in egg and vanilla then blend in pumpkin puree. 
• With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in flour mixture and mix just until nearly combined.
• Fold in chocolate chips while folding batter to evenly combine. 
• Drop dough baking sheets spacing cookies two inches apart. 
• Bake in a preheated oven until cookies are nearly set, about 11-13 minutes. 

adapted from: https://www.cookingclassy.com/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies/#jump-to-recipe

#5 – Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

The final recipe I will be sharing is a pumpkin snickerdoodle concoction. Snickerdoodles have to be one of my favorite cookies (besides chocolate chip) and incorporating a pumpkin flavor with the cinnamon aspect of a snickerdoodle is a perfect combination, as it enhances the overall flavor. The taste of these cookies is the pure definition of fall. 

For this recipe you will need:

• 1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg yolk 
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree

(Cinnamon sugar coating)

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

• In a medium-sized mixing bowl whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract, then mix in the pumpkin puree.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Cover tightly and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
• Scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sugar and cinnamon for the coating. Roll each ball of cookie dough in the cinnamon sugar coating and place back on the baking sheets.
• Bake for 10 to 13 minutes or until the cookies are set. 

adapted from: https://www.livewellbakeoften.com/pumpkin-snickerdoodles/

I hope this list inspired you to indulge in the greatness that is baking fall treats! As you can probably tell, I love the flavor of pumpkin and basically any pumpkin dessert. Fall is the perfect season to bake as many pumpkin desserts as your heart desires with no shame. I hope I was able to get you in the fall spirit. Happy Halloween and Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the rest of fall, as winter is quickly approaching.