Fall: that time of year when the leaves change color, the air starts to cool and when all the delicious pumpkin products arrive in stores. Nothing can add to a crisp, chilly fall day like the best-tasting pumpkin treats in season. Fortunately, many of the season’s great options are available locally. Here are some of the best products to try this year.
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix
This mix provides you with a delightful breakfast, snack or even dessert, and is best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This combination mixes the best of both worlds, allowing you to enjoy the warmth of freshly baked goods in your home while also keeping you from having to slave away in the kitchen. The entire process, from opening the mix to popping the loaf in the oven, takes no more than 10 minutes and a couple of dirty dishes. A sweet, warm, cinnamon aroma fills the room within minutes, allowing the smells of fall to fill the room. The result is a heavenly spiced pumpkin bread. It is soft with a crispy edge, moist and full of flavor. Try throwing a cup of chocolate chips into the batter before baking for an extra sweet treat.
Fraiche Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt
Fall in Palo Alto is not always as cool as one might expect. On those days when the sun is shining and you are looking for a cold treat, Fraiche’s pumpkin-flavored frozen yogurt is a delicious option to try. Not only is frozen yogurt delicious, but it is healthy too. Made from organic yogurt and real pumpkin, this yogurt offers the perfect transitional blend of spiced fall flavors with summer frozen yogurt – cool and refreshing with a strong pumpkin flavor. The yogurt is not overly sweet, which some will appreciate, but for those with a sweet tooth, pairing it with Fraiche’s chocolate frozen yogurt is divine and satisfying.
Peet’s Pumpkin Latte
Occasionally, when the rain does fall in Palo Alto, fingers get numb and noses turns red. Those are the days when Peet’s Pumpkin Latte would be satisfactory. It is a twist on a traditional latte, providing a rich cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin flavor, not to forget that you are still getting your daily dose of coffee. You can feel the warmth travel through you as you sip the drink, making you feel comfy and cozy. The richness and creaminess of the milk and the sweetness of the pumpkin is something that you just cannot beat on a rainy day. Be sure to enjoy it now because it is only at Peet’s for a few months.
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cream Cheese
People wait all year for this creamy, spiced, pumpkin spread to come back in season during the fall. Though it is tucked away among all of the other cream cheeses at Trader Joe’s, it most definitely deserves some attention. Try it on a freshly toasted bagel, English muffin or even as a frosting for a new twist on the typical cream cheese. It has just the right amount of sweetness and its creaminess adds to the delight.
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Tortilla Chips
People often get stumped when they have a craving for a delicious pumpkin snack but prefer something savory, not sweet. For those who experience this problem, Trader Joe’s has the perfect solution. Its Pumpkin Tortilla Chips are crispy, salty and have just a hint of cinnamon and pumpkin spice, not to mention that they are a beautiful orange color. They can be served in a variety of ways– as a festive appetizer with salsa or just straight out of the bag.
Spiced Pumpkin Pie Clif Bar
Sometimes people are presented with a shortage of time. Most of the time, compromises must be made, but missing out on the pumpkin season shouldn’t be one of them. Pumpkin Pie Clif Bars are an easy and convenient way to get your pumpkin fix on the go, as they’re soft rectangular bar with a few nuts to add a crunch and a light drizzle of icing on top for some extra pleasure. There’s so much pumpkin goodness in it that you might wonder if it is actually a protein bar.
