Once the calendars flip to September, many begin celebrating the season of Autumn. From picking out pumpkins at a pumpkin patch to visiting haunted houses, there are tons of seasonal activities that people can do to immerse themselves in the fall spirit. Among these, baking is many people’s favorites. There is a wide plethora of recipes to attempt to get into the fall spirit, whether a seasonsoned baker or novice. Fall would not be fall without the inventive dishes developed by bakers throughout the world that include the recognizable flavor of pumpkin.
Scrolling on social media sites, including TikTok, Instagram, or Pinterest, can inspire recipes for bakers to try. Whether you prefer the taste of pumpkin spice or apple pie, there are many recipes to choose from. Popular websites such as Sally’s Baking Addiction, Tasty, and Delish, have over 100 recipes on their sites to try. Many smaller bakers share their masterpieces on their personal accounts, and their recipes are just as, if not more, appealing.
Apart from social media, many different cultures also have versions of seasonal desserts. NDB Spanish teacher Kathryn Blanchard mentioned pan de muerto, a bread that is a part of many Mexican traditions. It is baked in the weeks leading up to Dias de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, which lands on November 1 and 2 every year. Dia de los Muertos is one of Mexico’s most well known celebrations and calls for tons of preparation for the occasion, baking and cooking being a huge part of it. Typically, pan de muerto is shaped like a round loaf of bread, but it also has pieces of bread crisscrossed across the top and another small piece of bread rolled into a ball and placed on top of the entire loaf. Pan de muerto also has a very distinctive taste, different from what we usually associate fall baking with. It is meant to be eaten as a dessert, so the bread is very sweet with hints of orange and licorice.
There are also many recipes that focus on the spookier aspects of fall. One easy recipe any beginner baker could try are graveyard pudding cups, which only calls for four ingredients to prepare the cups and it requires no bake time. This recipe is not only straightforward and beginner-friendly, but the results look straight out of a bakery. The color changing of the leaves and the cool, crisp breeze are not the only things to look forward to in the fall. For many, there is no better way to embrace the season than by indulging in the craft of baking in the fall. Whether you are new to baking or a natural, it is never too late to pick up a new hobby. Engaging in the art of fall baking can open many new doors and it is never too late to gain more inspiration using your resources.
