This post was created in partnership with Sonja Overhiser of A Couple Cooks as part of our Guest Editor series.
It used to be that the first crisp fall day was when people started thinking about fall recipes. But these days, it’s literally the moment the date rolls over to September 1! I think we can blame it on Starbucks, but come early September people are making pumpkin spice anything and sweating through their chunky sweaters picking apples.
Be that as it may, I get it—I love fall too. What I enjoy most are all the opportunities to cook cozy baked goods and hearty soups with my family and friends. Because here’s the thing—food isn’t just about food: it’s the experience and the people you share it with.
That said, here are my top 10 things to whip up this fall! Inspired by my new cookbook about cooking together, “A Couple Cooks,” each one is the ideal project for grabbing a friend or family member and making together as a fun seasonal experience.
Pumpkin Chili
What’s better than a cozy chili bubbling on the stove? Adding pumpkin puree to chili adds an intensely creamy, flavorful body to this classic dish.
Baked Apples
Go apple picking, then make baked apples! Stuff the sweet, tart fruit with oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice, then bake until sweet and tender. It’s like a short-cut apple crisp, but lighter, easier, and tastier.
Pumpkin Pancakes
Is it even fall without pumpkin pancakes? It’s hard to put into words just how good these are. Adding pumpkin puree gives the pancakes a fluffy, hearty texture and satisfying mouthfeel, and they’re seasoned with a hefty dose of warm pumpkin spices.
APPLE CRUMBLE
Apple crumble is another of our classic apple-picking musts! No need to find that recipe card Grandma scribbled down: this version is just as classic. Golden, crunchy brown sugar crumbles top a sweet, tart filling of warm spiced fruit, seasoned with cinnamon, allspice, and ginger.
CURRIED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
This curried butternut squash soup tastes like a bowl of sunshine. The flavors of coconut, ginger, and curry are the perfect match to this lightly sweet orange squash! This is my favorite way to make this fall classic.
CRISP APPLE SALAD
This might be my favorite salad of all time, and it’s absolutely crave-able! It’s got crisp tart apples, greens, cheese crumbles, and a zingy maple vinaigrette.
ROASTED SWEET POTATOES
These are super basic, but this is our perfect method for roasting up sweet potato cubes and it hits the spot every time. Bookmark this one!
PUMPKIN BARS
No season is complete without these pumpkin bars! They’re perfectly moist and cakey, with just the right warm-spiced interior from cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg and a lusciously creamy layer of cream cheese frosting.
APPLE CIDER HOT TODDY
Could there be anything cozier? Snuggle up with this drink on a cozy evening, spiked with bourbon or rum.
ICED PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
I love a good PSL, but the iced version is tastier (in my opinion) and much easier to make at home! I love making it with purchased cold brew concentrate to make it simple.
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