This should come to most of you as no surprise, but I’m one of those people that look forward to pumpkin picking on a Saturday (or any day) in September just as much as waking up on Christmas day. Well, okay maybe it’s not quite like waking up to Christmas coffee and a glittering tree chalked full of presents, but it’s definitely up there. And over the past few years, we’ve really turned the hunt for the perfect pumpkins into a full day adventure. With the windows down and songs from Hocus Pocus playing in my head, we pile into our car, loaded up with a thermos or two of warm coffee and apple cider, and our favorite snacks en route to the pumpkin patch.
To us, it’s the perfect amount of time out of the house, away from the computer, and the best way to breathe in the crisp fall air that’s finally here. And of course, it’s an excuse to wear my favorite fall uniform (think a great plaid shirt and the coziest sweater) and break out one or two of my vintage plaid blankets. Because I mean, what’s better than rolling out your blanket with a thermos and sweets in-hand after you pick out this year’s pumpkins? All the feels.
Since this annual ritual is meant to be a fun, enjoyable day, it will never do to be stressed in the kitchen before the trek to the patch. So I usually pick up a good mix of treats from a local doughnut shop (Revolution Doughnuts or Sublime Doughnuts are my favorites). When I do have a little time on my hands, however, I whip up some super easy cinnamon sugar doughnuts or stick to two tried-and-true recipes that cannot be beaten: pumpkin spice drop cookies and apple cinnamon fritters.
The second you bite into these, cake-like cookies with their warm, spicy pumpkin flavor, you’ll see why they’ve been some of my favorites for years now. I’ve found they’re the perfect big-batch recipe this time of year…they’re seriously so simple to make and are ALWAYS a hit with a crowd. And I’m not sure how golden brown apple cinnamon fritters with a white icing glaze could ever disappoint; they’re lightly fried to perfection with light, pillow-soft centers. I use THIS recipe because why try to improve on something that’s already pretty dang fantastic?!
Tell me friends, have you made a trip to the pumpkin patch? What fall treats are always on your list? Truly, MKR
