My school has a short fall break this week and one of the best things about coming home, especially in the fall, is good food. Fall treats heal the soul, I've always believed. Warm, sweet, spiced, and pumpkin – I wish it could be Fall in New England forever.
1. Hot Mulled Apple Cider
A fall classic. This drink reminds me of sitting outside in a pumpkin patch in crisp autumn weather while wearing a light jacket and leather boots. Spiced with allspice, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, and lemon, it goes perfect with spiced treats like pies. It’s basically fall’s version of winter’s hot chocolate.
2. Cider Doughnuts
A perfect snack to go with apple cider. I love cider doughnuts and I usually don't like doughnuts at all. Cider doughnuts aren't caky, they're perfectly fluffy, they're freshly made, and they're rolled in cinnamon sugar. It doesn’t get much better than that.
3. Funnel Cake
Funnel cake can change your life. If you like fried foods, sugar, dessert, or joy of any kind, please eat a funnel cake. This fried dough creation is better than plain old fried dough because it has a higher surface area of yummy goodness. Funnel cake is best enjoyed at a county fair, just not before any spinning rides.
4. Apple Crisp
A next-level version of apple pie. You have all the gooeyness of pie filling, the crispness of apples, and the added awesomeness of butter, brown sugar, and flour crumbles. It’s perfect with pumpkin ice cream or classic vanilla.
5. Pumpkin Ice Cream
This flavor is perfect for when the weather is just starting to cool down. Ice cream season never really ends, but I love changing flavors with the changing weather. Drizzle maple syrup on top for a really sweet treat.
6. Maple Candy
A classic from my home state, Vermont. These candies are next-level sugar cubes. They melt in your mouth and give you cavities, but they're perfect little snacks to eat, melt in coffee, or crumble on top of ice cream.
7. Gingersnap Cookies
A preamble to gingerbread found around wintertime, these cookies are perfectly chewy and soft if done right. The crackling sugary tops are almost as beautiful as the taste. Molasses and ginger blend perfectly together in these nostalgic treats. Though I prefer them served room temperature, they also make a great replacement to brownies when served warm in a sundae.
8. Pies
Apple, pecan, pumpkin, rhubarb ... the list goes on. No matter which is your favorite, pie is a fall staple. Flaky crust and gooey filling complement each other perfectly. While most people enjoy pie around Thanksgiving, I'm a firm believer that pie can, and should, be eaten whenever, holiday or not. It's even better the next morning as breakfast.
