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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins

Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins_3

No tricks here! These Rice Krispie pumpkins are the easiest treat on the block. Make them for Halloween or for Thanksgiving, and they’ll be just as festive. If you’ve ever made Rice Krispie Treats before, you know your hands can get pretty messy. That marshmallow mixture can stick to your fingers and become really frustrating — but don’t fret! I’ve figured out how to rolls the balls without making a mess. Also try these Mummy Rice Krispie Treats for Halloween. The trick? Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray, like Pam. I’ve tried all sorts of methods, including butter, but nothing works better than Pam. Just trust me on this. Spray your palms with a healthy coating and rub them together like you would to put on lotion. This way, you get the oil around the sides of your fingers and in all of the little corners that marshmallow could…

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Seasonal

The best apples for eating fresh

The best apples for eating fresh

It’s fall and apples are everywhere. If you’re tempted to stock up while they’re in season, think first about how you’ll use them. Will you be baking? Making applesauce? Or do you prefer to eat them fresh, right out of your hand? If it’s the latter, here’s a list of delicious apple varieties you should try. Tart Apples These apples are best if you’re not looking to satisfy a sweet tooth. Braeburn Available: Mid-to-late October Braeburn are a great all-purpose apple, but their sweet and tart taste and crispy bite make them perfect for eating fresh. Cortland Available: Late September Cortlands originated in 1898, and they’re still as popular as ever. Their white flesh is juicy and tart, while still offering some sweetness. Goldrush Available: Late October Goldfish doesn’t easily brown, making it a great pick for snacking or salads. They also store well for up to seven months. Granny…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Pumpkin pie with a pecan sandy crust

pumpkin pie with pecan sandy crust

How do you make a Thanksgiving classic pumpkin pie even better? Replace your basic pie crust with this delicious pecan sandy cookie crust instead! Pecan candies bring a delicious buttery, nutty goodness to everyone’s all-time favorite holiday pie. The unexpected twist adds some mild fun without upsetting the pumpkin pie purists. Note: Process cookies in a food processor or place cookies in a  zip-top bag and crush with a heavy rolling pin.  Pumpkin pie with a pecan sandy crust For the crust:  2 cups pecan shortbread cookie crumbs (about 1 package of Keeblers Pecan Sandies or 20 cookies) 5 tbsp melted butter 1/4 tsp salt For the pie: 3/4 cup sugar 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cloves 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp ground ginger 2 large eggs 1 can (15 ounce) pure pumpkin puree (Libby’s 100% pure pumpkin is my favorite) 1 can (12 fl. ounce) Evaporated Milk…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Homemade pumpkin pie spice blend

Homemade pumpkin pie spice blend mix

Do you know what’s in that pumpkin pie spice blend you purchased? Chances are, if you’re a fan of pumpkin spice, you might have some idea. But I’m here to convince you that making your own is the way to go. Here’s why: You’ll save money Spices don’t come cheap. Buy the good stuff, and you’ll be plunking down $5-15 for just a few tablespoons of various spices, and more if the spice is labor intensive to grow or harvest. But you’re buying pre-mixed spice blends, you’re choosing to spend more on spices than you even need to. You’ll get much less product, for way more money, and that mix is so highly specialized, it’s way more limited in use. You’ll save space Most spice blends are made from your basics. You’re probably already equipped to make pumpkin spice (and many other spice mixes) simply by having a reasonably well-stocked…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Old-fashioned caramel apples

Crisp fall apples, bathed in delicious, gooey caramel — it’s a Halloween delight you simply must make this year! The good news is that they’re super easy to make and tons of fun to personalize. Dip them in crushed nuts, candy or Oreos then decorate with drizzles of white or milk chocolate.  The combos are endless. These goodies will rival those fabulous gourmet caramel apples you see in candy store windows — but you can enjoy them for a fraction of the cost. Make them as favors for your Halloween party or as a sweet treat on Oct. 31 for the whole office. Classic Caramel Apples Recipe Ingredients 8 large tart apples (I like Granny Smith) 1 cup butter 2 cups packed brown sugar 1 cup light corn syrup 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 2 tsp vanilla extract What you will need 8 wooden chopsticks Candy thermometer 8 fun straws…

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Seasonal

These states are the most obsessed with pumpkin spice

These states are the most obsessed with pumpkin spice

Pumpkin spice products have been available for several weeks now, but according to new data from Grubhub, it looks like most Americans prefer to wait until fall actually starts to enjoy these festive fall treats. The new data shows which states order the most pumpkin foods and when the popularity of these products spike. To conduct this analysis, the popular food delivery service looked at orders each fall month, then compared them to the rest of the calendar year. The analysis found that October is peak month for pumpkin and pumpkin-spice-flavored goods, with 118% more orders than usual levels. November comes in second most popular month for these products, with 92% more orders, and September is the third most popular month. These findings vindicate all those who argue that pumpkin spice offerings should be kept out of August — it turns out, we’re not really buying the stuff in the…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Football whoopie pies are a total touchdown for game day desserts

Meghan_Rodgers_football_gobs_whoopie_pies_2

Football season has officially kicked off, so bring on the food! These football-shaped whoopie pies will score points for being delicious as well as adorable. They’ll be the MVP of your tailgating table. Note: If you’re making these in the off season, or if you’re shorter on time, you can, of course, make this recipe without forming cookie batter into footballs.  Football Whoopie Pies Makes about 48 cookies, or 24 gobs Ingredients For the cookies 2 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup cocoa 1/4 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 cup hot water (in a large glass) 2/3 cup milk 1/2 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp butter flavoring For the filling 1/4 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup shortening 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp butter flavoring 3 cups confectioners’ sugar 2 tbsp milk (if necessary) Directions Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

How to pick the best butternut squash

How to pick a perfect butternut squash-2

Fall has finally arrived and winter squash are stocked on the shelves — acorn, spaghetti, and of course, butternut. Butternut squash a must-have fall vegetable that dates back nearly 10,000 years ago.  It’s true. Archaeological evidence suggests that squash was first cultivated in what is now known as the Isthmus of Panama. Squash was one of the three main crops (known as the “Three Sisters” — maize, beans, and squash) planted by Native Americans. If you’re looking for authentic North American fall foods for your Thanksgiving feast, squash certainly qualifies. (Read more at: How Americans Became so Obsess with Pumpkins) The most noticeable difference between winter squash and summer squash, like zucchini and yellow squash, is the exterior skin. Summer squash have thin, flavorful skin you leave on and eat, while winter squash have a tough, inedible outer shell. It’s because of this shell, however, that winter squash can be…

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Seasonal

What produce is in season in September?

What produce is in season in September?

If you’ve ever hesitated at the grocery store because you didn’t know going into fall what fruits and veggies were going to be delicious and which were going to be gross, this article is for you. Of course, “gross” is an exaggeration, but we’ve all purchased produce that was clearly out of season. These fruits and vegetables may look beautiful, but just don’t taste their best. They might be dry or grainy. Plus, out of season produce is usually more expensive, meaning you’re paying more money for less-than-delicious produce. But fear not! Here’s your September guide for what fruits and vegetables are in season. Use this list to plan your shopping list — and your menu — and you’ll be enjoying juicy, nutritious, perfectly ripe produce the whole month long. Apples You know fall is right around the corner because apples have arrived. Learn how to cook and can your…

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News Bites

When will Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte return to stores?

Pumpkin spice latte sauce has arrived at StarbucksStarbucks

The weather might still say summer, but for pumpkin lovers across the country, the calendar only means one thing — the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Yes, September is right around the corner, meaning that PSL fans are pulling on their cozy sweaters and counting down the days. While Starbucks has yet to announce the official release date of the iconic drink, employees told Business Insider the pumpkin spice latte would be returning Tuesday, August 27 — it’s earliest release date ever.  Typically, the PSL returns right around Labor Day weekend. Starbucks employees have been posting photos of the Pumpkin Spice syrup arriving at stores throughout this month, further fueling PSL superfans’ cravings. Can’t wait until the end of August for a taste of fall? Dunkin’ has your back. On Monday, Dunkin’ announced it would launch its fall menu on August 21. Menu items returning include pumpkin spice drinks, coffee and…

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