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Normally, I’m all about food trends. Lord knows I’ve done plenty with bacon. I even enjoyed cake pops while they were still a thing (although I never once made them). But pumpkin spice? I’m now on the fence. I really do enjoy pumpkin spices; however, the moment that I saw Pumpkin Pie Spice Pringles, I thought to myself, “this is getting ridiculous.”
I’m really not sure what happened this year. It seems like all the big food companies got together and decided they needed to slap pumpkin spice on everything. Country crock? Really? Perhaps they needed to beef up the selling season between Back to School and Halloween. We now have Pumpkin Spice season!!
So where do you stand on the spectrum? Are you still loving pumpkin spice or are you over it? Share your thoughts below, plus check out some of my favorite pumpkin recipes.
Although I am quickly getting over all of the commercial buzz surrounding pumpkin spice, I still really love pumpkin. Here’s a small collection of pumpkin recipes that may just restore your faith in this autumnal favorite.
My Pumpkin and Apple Cider Fizz is made with just 4 ingredients. The lack of spice here really let’s the pumpkin flavor shine through.
This Spicy Pumpkin Soup takes pumpkin to the savory side with spices like curry powder, coriander, cayenne, and crushed red pepper.
Finally, Roasted Pumpkin Five-Spice Ice Cream is flavored with Chinese five-spice, a blend of star anise, clove, cinnamon, fennel and Sichuan pepper. It’s like pumpkin spice, but a bit more sophisticated.
If you’re still a pumpkin spice lover, what are your favorite recipes?
Over pumpkin spice? Share your favorite alternatives!
In the top picture: Pumpkin Pie Spice Pringles, Country Crock Pumpkin Spice, Pumpkin Spice Kahlua, Pumpkin Spice Hershey’s Kisses, Pumpkin Spice M&M’s, and Corsair Pumpkin Spice Moonshine.
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I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love this post, Brandon! I have really been paying attention to the amt of pumpkin spice and pumpkin stuff – everywhere (Trader Joe’s came out with pumpkin lotion this week as well as tea and ice cream) and when I’m out, it seems it’s everywhere but I had missed the Pringles and the Country Crock. LOL
Seems that major brands and food companies know just how hot the pumpkin craze is and everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. Right down to the chips and butter companies. Amazing!
Brandon Matzek says
Hahaha, yes it is laughable. Only after you mentioned Trader Joe’s did I start noticing pumpkin items everywhere. They even made a pumpkin version of my favorite rosemary cranberry crackers! I got them of course.
Darlene says
I think the pumpkin spice has gone a little overboard especially when I see it used as a potato chip flavor. The madness has to stop! But your roasted pumpkin ice cream sounds divine.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Darlene 🙂
Ash-foodfashionparty says
I am not big on pumpkin spice, too many things and lots everywhere. It’s nice on some, can’t handle when it’s added to things which it doesn’t go with.
I prefer making my own mix with flavors that we enjoy.
Brandon Matzek says
I agree! I like making my own spice blends to pair with pumpkin.
sippitysup says
I actually like the concept, but I do have to roll my eyes when I go to twitter and see that pumpkins have their own hashtag. If you have a minute go to Homefires and listen to our latest podcast from The Tableset we actually talked all about this. http://homefries.com/show/the-table-set/can-you-feel-it/ GREG
Brandon Matzek says
Hi Greg, I’ll check it out!! Thanks for the link.
Adri says
Great post! Great subject. Bart and I were at Trader Joe’s and he disappeared for a couple of minutes, returning with a bunch of pumpkin-centric products. I looked at him and said “You’re not seriously considering buying all that are you?” Bart is not a small child, by the way. He is my husband. He replied “No.” adding that he was just amazed at the sheer volume of pumpkin items. “What happened here?” For the record we did bring home the Pumpkin Croissants, and to my amazement, they were fab. This is my first visit to your site, and it is terrific. I came over from Trevor’s site.
Brandon Matzek says
HA!!! Thanks for sharing Adri and for stopping by. Glad you like Kitchen Konfidence. Yeah I originally overlooked all the pumpkin items at TJ’s, but after Averie’s comment above, I started noticing everything. Crazy!
Maria says
I’m drinking your pumpkin apple cider fizz RIGHT NOW! Actually it’s my second one! Going to serve it to guests tonight. Take a ‘bit’ of getting use to, but I’m feeling warm and fuzzy.
Also made pumpkin soup – but my cousin’s recipe. It’s pumpkin night at our house – so all food must have pumpkin in it! 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Excellent!! I hope everyone loved the cocktail 🙂
Haha yes, I am all for pumpkin recipes. It’s just the pumpkin spice pringles and hershey’s kisses I’m not so sure about 😉