Get in the fall spirit with these simple seasonal recipes

Summer is behind us and fall is in full swing.  While the pandemic may be keeping us from hay rides and trick or treating, we can still enjoy the autumn atmosphere safely from our own homes. Below are a few simple seasonal recipes to get you into the fall spirit.

Candied Apple Cider

This hot apple cider recipe is a personal favorite of mine, and couldn’t be easier to make.

 You will need:

Candied Apple Cider Ingredients

• 1 jug of apple cider (it doesn’t need to be fancy, whatever you can find in the grocery store will work)

• 1 box of cinnamon red hots candies

• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove (all optional)

Directions:

1. Pour the cider into a crock pot (if you do not have a crock pot, a pot on the stove will work just as well)

2. Add the red hots (I usually use about half a box per gallon of cider, but you can adjust the ratio depending on personal preference)

3. Sprinkle in cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, to taste (I only use a dash of each)

4. Set the crockpot on low, stir occasionally

5. Wait for the red hots to fully melt

6. Drink up!

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Get your fix of festive fall flavor with these fabulously simple cupcakes. 

You will need:

• 1 box of spice cake mix

• 1 can of pumpkin (15 oz)

And for the frosting:

• 1 stick butter (½ cup)

• 1 package cream cheese (8 oz

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove (all optional)

Cake Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

2. Stir cake mix and pumpkin together in a bowl. Divide mixture into a cupcake pan. 

3. Bake as instructed on the cake mix box, or until a toothpick can be inserted and removed cleanly

Frosting Directions:

1. Soften butter and cream cheese, stir together until smooth

2. Add the powdered sugar, stir until smooth

3. Season to taste with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove 

4. Frost cupcakes when they finish cooling

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Carving a pumpkin? Don’t let the seeds go to waste! They make a delicious snack when properly prepared. 

You will need:

• 1 pumpkin (Or more! Use as many as you like!)

• Coarse salt

• Oil (any)

Directions:

1. Scoop the seeds out of the pumpkin, into a bowl of cold water. Swish around until the seeds are mostly clean

2. Boil 2 cups of water with two teaspoons of salt 

3. Add the clean seeds to the boiling salt water, let simmer for 5 minutes

4. Drain the pumpkin seeds, then use a dishcloth to pat them dry

5. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper

6. Cover the seeds in 2 teaspoons of oil (olive, vegetable, canola, your choice)

7. Add 2 teaspoons salt (adjust measurement according to preference)

8. Spread the seeds out on the baking sheet

9. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown (10-25 minutes), stirring once 

Make the most of the season. Make something delicious. Happy October!