Awesome Autumn Recipes

McKenzie Feldman
Staff Writer

       Looking for a way to jump into the autumn season? Warm up with these delicious fall recipes! From creative party dishes to mouth-watering seasonal desserts, search for your favorite blend of fall ingredients.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread:

  Yield: 1 loaf
  Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes plus cooling time
   Ingredients:

• 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp.  baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp.  ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp.  ground cloves
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 and 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil, canola oil, or melted coconut oil
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

   Directions:

1. Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lowering the oven rack prevents the top of your bread from browning too much too soon. Spray a 9x5 inch loaf pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt together until they are evenly combined. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until they are evenly combined. Then whisk in the pumpkin, oil, and orange juice into the medium bowl. Pour these wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and gently mix together using a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon. There will be a few lumps, but do not overmix. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-65 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, making sure to loosely cover the bread with aluminum foil halfway through to prevent the top from getting too brown. To ensure the bread is done, insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean possibly with a few small moist crumbs, it is good to go. Begin checking every 5 minutes at the 55 minute mark or so.
4. Allow the bread to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before removing and slicing. The bread will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
5. Make ahead tip: Baked bread can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.

   Additional Notes:

1. You can use ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice instead of these spices.
2. Try using milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even pecans/walnuts instead of the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
3. This recipe makes incredible pumpkin chocolate chip muffins too – about 20 minutes in the oven, same oven temperature.
                                             Keep reading for more great recipes! 

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Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats
There is no specific time or yield for this recipe. The time is dependent on your work pace, and the amount of treats is dependent on the size.
   Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. of butter
• ½ tsp. of vanilla extract
• Red & yellow food coloring or orange gel coloring
• 5 ½ cups of mini marshmallows
• 6 cups of crispy rice cereal
• Mini tootsie rolls
• Candy for decorations (M&M's, candy corn, etc.)

   Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, melt and slightly brown the butter at a medium heat. Add vanilla extract and marshmallows. Stir until marshmallows are completely melted. Add food coloring until desired orange color is reached. Add cereal and stir until everything is completely combined. Turn off the heat and let the mixture sit for a few minutes, until it is cool enough to handle.
2. When the mixture has cooled, spray your hands with cooking spray and mold the cereal mix into circles. Unwrap a tootsie roll and press into each pumpkin top. Add candy for the eyes and noses. You can use a little frosting to adhere.

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The amount of fall recipes out there are endless, but these recipes are just some of my favorites. If you are looking for more delicious treats, I have listed links below. Happy Fall!
 
Links:
Reese’s Muddy Buddies
Pumpkin-Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Graveyard Chocolate Cheesecake Dip
Pumpkin Scones (Starbucks Copycat)

Abbreviations:
  tbsp. = table spoon
  tsp. = teaspoon