Hershey’s Pumpkin Spice Kisses
by Bridget Cooke, Staff Writer
Ah, what refreshing little delicious morsels of chocolate. Hershey’s developed a winner with this new kiss. Unwrap the traditionally soft foil cover — usually a shiny silver, now adorning orange patterns for the season’s flavor — and encounter a smell reminiscent of pumpkins and fall days spent in the leaves and everything having to do with autumn. The hard outer shell made of pumpkin spice covers the soft, melt-in-your-mouth white chocolate of the interior. Bite into it for a bit of both worlds and enjoy the way the flavors complement one another lovingly. Or slowly demolish the kiss in your mouth for a sweetness that will last — either way, it will be scrumptious.
Chili
by Andy Hildebrand, Staff Writer
I can’t stand sweets, so while those around me indulge in the scores of fall-themed treats, I usually take a pass. Especially when it comes to candy corn. I really hate candy corn.
For me though, one type of food embodies everything I love about fall. It’s hearty, it’s spicy, and it pairs great with football.
Chili is the perfect fall food. Good chili should have a variety of meats like ground chuck, pork sausage, and bacon. It should include at least three kinds of beans and an assortment of mild peppers such as green peppers, red peppers and yellow peppers. It should also include onions, mushrooms, and a little bit of Worcestershire sauce.
Good chili also needs a certain amount of heat. Hot sauce, jalapeños and Serrano peppers are an absolute must.
Top with sour cream, shredded cheese and cornbread, and you’ve got the perfect autumn-themed meal to fill you up on game day.
Culver’s Pumpkin Cheesecake Concrete Mixer
by Eric Christenson, Editor in Chief
I’m the biggest fan of Culver’s, you guys. The biggest. The food is savory and delicious, the frozen custard is creamy and tasty; it’s all just very good. One particular, fall-themed treat that is both delectable and festive is the pumpkin cheesecake Concrete Mixer.
One word: Oof. This thing is good. It’s rich, flavorful, fattening, everything. You shouldn’t probably eat one everyday — though you might want to — because you will surely die. But that shouldn’t stop you from trying it.
It was a little warm outside this week, so while a cool fall ice cream delight might seem counterproductive some days, it’s actually a really nice thing to devour no matter the temperature.
Starbucks’ Salted Caramel Mocha
by Taylor Kuether, Managing Editor
Every year, I anxiously await the debut of Starbucks’ fall specialty drinks. The salted caramel mocha is, to me, the best thing on earth. Beginning with hints of caramel and the unexpectedness of salt, the flavors then yield to the richest chocolate mocha possible. It’s absolutely decadent.
The salted caramel mocha is ideal for anyone who likes sweet-n-salty snacks, like chocolate-covered pretzels. You might think salt sounds like a weird, gross addition to your coffee drink, but I promise it’s tasteful and minimal, adding just enough zing to make the beverage more interesting than your average mocha.
To create the ultimate indulgent fall experience, pop on your favorite sweater, grab a salted caramel mocha at the nearest Starbucks’ (in Eau Claire, we have them on Clairemont Avenue, Hastings Way, and inside Target), and hit the road for a fall color drive. I know what I’m doing this weekend.
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte
by Elizabeth Jackson, Photo Editor
What’s better than pumpkin pie? Answer: nothing. But many food manufacturers try to reinvent the pumpkin pie. The pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks is a perennial favorite with coffee-drinkers.
Flavored coffees usually are lightly flavored, but the pumpkin spice lattes are not. It took me a few sips to get used to the flavor, but it’s an unusual flavor that really hooks you.
One disappointing aspect of the pumpkin spice latte is that the cinnamon that makes up the “spice” in pumpkin spice has an aftertaste that wasn’t pleasant. If you like cinnamon, though, you’ll like that flavor.
The coffee is actually a pumpkin-orange, which is appropriate, but surprising if you’re not expecting it.
The pumpkin spice latte is a great fall drink, but its strong flavors make it a coffee that you would want to drink a couple times a year.
Butternut squash
by Martha Landry, News Editor
Mmmm, baked butternut squash. Basically like sweet potatoes, but you don’t have to feel guilty for putting marshmallows on your vegetables. OK, well the way my family prepares it, you should feel a little bad.
Cut it down the middle, cake it with butter, pop it in the oven. When it’s done cooking, add a little more butter and sprinkle some (or lots) brown sugar on top. It’s a fantastically flavored vegetable — sweet and nutty — and the little bit of sugar just pushes it over the edge into pure deliciousness.
If you aren’t into baked squash, you can make fantastic fall soups with it, as well. This tasty, fall vegetable is a great way to get a serving of nutrition (even if it comes with a little something sweet)!
Pumpkin bars
by Steve Fruehauf, Copy Editor
While trolling the selection at Gordy’s County Market, I spotted a plastic container filled with pumpkin bars amongst other things for only $4. Since pumpkin has always been my go-to for this time of year, I decided to indulge myself. Before tasting, I was worried the frosting would be too overpowering, but after the first bite I was happily surprised.
The pumpkin flavor came through very well. It wasn’t dry either, which is sometimes an unflattering factor when eating. Instead, it had just the right amount of moistness mixed in with an ever so slight amount of frosting and sprinkles at the top.
I would suggest taking the pumpkin plunge if you are willing to quit your diet and all hope of ever being skinny ever again. Just kidding, but if you do eat enough bars, then maybe…
