pumpkin cupcakes with pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting

This isn't the first time, and it won't be the last time that I declare my love for pumpkin.

I have an entire board on Pinterest that links me to delicious pumpkin recipes that I attempt to bake and cook my way through every Fall.

On Saturday morning, I opened up one of those big cans of pumpkin to toss a few tablespoons into my pancake batter.  That left 7/8 of a can of pumpkin just sitting in my fridge begging to find it's way into something yummy.  A mostly dreary Saturday called for a little baking.

I turned to my pumpkin board for some direction.  Ina Garten recipes never fail.  She kind of annoys me, but she's got skills in the kitchen.  So, I went with an Ina pumpkin cupcake recipe paired up with a Skinnytaste pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting.  Ina's cupcake recipe includes a maple frosting, but I'm fresh outta maple extract, so a spiced cream cheese frosting came to the rescue.

I made a few itty-bitties and a few regular sized cupcakes.  They didn't disappoint.  And the frosting was beater-licking good.  

Have you whipped up anything pumpkin lately?

Maybe you can't stand pumpkin and you have a different favorite fall flavor?

What's baking, guys?

pumpkin cookies with carmel frosting

My list of reasons for loving Fall is pretty lengthy.

Pumpkin flavored anything is towards the top of the list.

Last year I stumbled upon these delicious pumpkin cookies with carmel frosting.

They're some of my favorite pumpkin cookies.

A must-make every Fall.

I only made half of a batch this morning (I didn't have enough butter for a full batch), and I'm thankful there are half as many as there would be (if I made a full batch), because I may or may not have already eaten 3 of them.
And it's only 1 pm.

Cue self-control.

Although I have very low expectations for myself.

my favorite pumpkin muffins

Autumn bring so many things that I love.

Cool weather, crisp air, colorful foliage, crunchy leaves, sweaters, sweatpants, fireside coziness...

(the list goes on, and on)

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And of course, pumpkin treats.

Fall may not officially arrive until September 22, but on September 1, I start pulling out my fall decor and getting in the autumn state of mind.

This 100+ degree weather isn't helping, but that's only a minor detail, right? 

To kick off the season, I whipped up a dozen (which is a half recipe) of my favorite pumpkin muffins.  And when I say favorite, I mean favorite.  None compare.

That cream cheese filling might be the best part.
Or maybe the streusel topping, or the cake-like pumpkin muffin, itself.
Or maybe all of the above, together, in one delicious bite. 

I made these for the first time last Fall.

I won't, ever, make another pumpkin muffin recipe.

These are my pumpkin muffins.

My go-to, perfect-and-delicious-every-time-pumpkin-muffins.

Make them.

welcome, August

It's August 1st!

The fact that August is here, means that Summer is winding down.

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The fact that Summer is winding down, means that Fall is almost here!

I cannot wait for cooler weather, the colors of fall, rainy days, sweaters and sweatpants, a fire in the fireplace, pumpkin treats, playing in the leaves...

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Are you ready to say farewell to Summer?

If summertime meant temperatures in the 70s and 80s, I wouldn't mind it sticking around for a bit longer, but these 100+ temps leave me no choice but to long for Fall.

it must be Fall

My Fall wreath is finally up on the front door.

And we picked up some mums over the weekend.  I got them planted in pots on Monday.  They have yet to bloom.  They're pink.  And I'm totally excited about that.  They'll add a lovely bit of color to the front of the house.

I'm ready for cooloer temperatures to settle in and for leaves to start a-changing.  That's when it will really start to feel like Fall.

In the meantime, open windows welcome the fresh morning air, and autumn scented candles fill the kitchen and living room with a wonderful, Fall fragrance. 

welcome, September!

Mark the calendar - September 23 is the first day of Fall!

Bring on all things Autumn.

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a few of my (Fall) favorite things

It's been noted (several times) that Fall is my favorite season.  It's a gateway to many family gatherings and celebrations.  It's a season filled with fragrances, flavors, and textures. 

As I was in the kitchen, just a little while ago, making a "sweet potato cheesecake in a gingersnap crust" (I'll let you know how it turns out!) for dinner with friends tomorrow evening, I just started thinking about all the loveliness that Fall brings...

apple cider

real maple syrup

spices

pumpkin

warm, cozy textures

natural, woven textures

pine cones

fiery foliage

not to mention a snuggled up puppy

What are some of your favorite Fall elements?  Do share!