This article was written by Carrie Kuecks, class of 2019.
Fall-themed treats are one of the few ways Floridians can fantasize about a change in seasons. The following are some recipes to bring you into the fall spirit.
Pumpkin spice pecan waffles
Ingredients: 1/4 cup of melted butter, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 2 & 1/4 cups of buttermilk, 1 cup of pumpkin puree, 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 3 tablespoons cornmeal, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 & 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
Preheat a waffle iron, then mix the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, buttermilk and pumpkin puree in a bowl. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, cornmeal, cinnamon and pumpkin spice. Combine the mixture and pour into the waffle iron. Add either maple syrup, whipped cream or candied pecans on top.
Inside-out caramel apples
Ingredients: 1 apple, caramel squares
Use a spoon to remove the seeds, stem and center of the apple so it looks like a bowl. Take caramel squares and melt them in a pan over medium heat. After the caramel has melted, pour it into the apple cup. (Optional: add nuts or granola bits onto apple).
Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
Ingredients: 3/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 2 eggs, 3/4 cup canned pumpkin, 1/4 cup water, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix together white sugar, vegetable oil and 2 eggs. Add the canned pumpkin and water. In a separate bowl, mix together baking powder, baking soda, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, salt and ground nutmeg. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix both of them together. Add semisweet chocolate chips into the bowl. Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
Pumpkin pretzels
Ingredients: orange-colored chocolate melts, M&Ms, pretzels
Melt orange colored chocolate melts on a stove or in a chocolate maker. Slice green M&Ms in half and place them aside. Submerge a pretzel in orange melted chocolate. While the coating is still wet, press a green M&M into the top of the pretzel to represent the pumpkin stem. Repeat until all of the pretzels are dipped. Place the pretzels in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to set the coating.
Cinnamon sugar pecans
Ingredients: cinnamon, sugar, butter, pecans
Combine cinnamon, sugar and butter in a bowl and add pecans for a delicious fall snack. (Hint: you can also add these to your pumpkin pecan waffles).
