5 Pumpkin Flavored Treats That Aren’t Lattes

It’s pumpkin-flavored everything season! What started as a Starbucks latte over 15 years ago, has turned into an anticipated time of year for many.

Starbucks didn’t invent pumpkin flavoring, but they sure put it at the forefront of a lot of peoples minds. After pumpkin lattes hit the famous coffee shop for the first time around the country, competitors began noticing and not only creating their own variations but cashing in on the pumpkin flavor craze in general.

You don’t have to hit up a Starbucks to get your dose of pumpkin flavor though. Here are five fun pumpkin-flavored treats you can whip up at home if you are looking to do a little baking or cooking this fall.

Sweet and Savory Pumpkin Soup

This creamy, rich soup is something special. The combination of maple syrup and freshly cracked salt and pepper make each bite exciting. If you are looking for a new and unique soup to try, this one should hit the top of your list. Serve it hot and use warm crusty bread for dipping.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp salted butter
• 1/2 yellow onion, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup half and half
• 1 (15 oz can) 100% pumpkin puree
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• Salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
• Warm crusty bread (for dipping)

Directions

Warm a pan to medium heat, melt the butter and add the minced onion. Cook until soft. Add your chicken broth, water, half and half, pumpkin, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Mix until combined well and let simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Serve hot with warm bread.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

These simple muffins will put a smile on anyone’s face throughout the months of Autumn. Bring a batch into the office, or make these for your neighbors. They are easy to put together and have the perfect pumpkin taste to them.

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 (15 oz) can 100% pumpkin
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, mix sugar, eggs, pumpkin, and oil until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and chocolate chips. Mix both dry and wet ingredients.

Add muffin liners to your pan and fill each about ¾ full. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops of the muffins crack and spring back when lightly touched.

Tortellini with Pumpkin Sauce

Here is another easy and delicious one to add to your recipe book. The pumpkin combined with parmesan cheese and half & half come together nicely to create rich flavors. This pasta sauce is perfect for tortellini, but if you aren’t a fan, try using cavatappi, or penne for a change.

Ingredients

• 1 lb four-cheese tortellini
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can 100% pumpkin puree
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup half and half
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 6 slices bacon, cooked off and crumbled
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme
• Salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste

Directions

Fry your bacon in a large pot until crispy, then remove and let cool. Add your minced garlic and shallot to the bottom of the pot and cook until soft. Add the pumpkin, chicken broth, half and half, parmesan cheese, thyme and salt, and pepper. Mix until thoroughly combined. Add this to your tortellini and top with a little extra parmesan cheese and crumbled bacon.

Pumpkin Cake-Mix Cookies

You’ll love making these easy cookies, especially because you can make them with any flavor of cake mix. Strawberry cookies are a hit in the summer, funfetti cookies are fun for birthday parties, and red velvet cookies are always the first to go at a winter holiday party. If they make the cake mix flavor, you can make the cookie.

Ingredients

Cookies:

• 1 box of pumpkin-flavored cake mix
• 1 stick of salted butter (softened)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla

Icing:

• 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons of water

Directions

In a kitchen aid or a large bowl, add the cake mix, butter, egg, and vanilla. Mix until all ingredients are combined. Scoop dough onto a lightly very greased cookie sheet or an ungreased pizza stone. Make sure dough balls are at least two inches apart. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the cookies begin to crack. Cool for about 2-3 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.

Mix your powdered sugar and water. Take a spoon and drizzle the icing on top of the cookies when they are completely cooled. Serve once the glaze hardens.

Maple-Pumpkin Milkshake

This milkshake only takes minutes to throw together and is the perfect reminder that summer hasn’t quite ended, but fall is arriving soon. Enjoy this sweet treat.

Ingredients

• 3 scoops of maple-walnut ice-cream
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup of 100% pumpkin puree (from a can)
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• Whipped cream (optional)

Directions

Add ice-cream, milk, pumpkin, maple syrup, and cinnamon to a blender or NutriBullet and blend well. Pour into a mug or tall glass. Add whipped cream if you’d like and enjoy!

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With these recipes in hand, you can feast on as much pumpkin-flavored goodness as you can stand and by the time you’re pumpkined out, we’ll be back with a round of peppermint recipes to see you through to the New Year.