Craving October…

And by October I mean, of course, pumpkin. Yes, pumpkin is available year round in my neighborhood supermarket, but it just doesn’t feel right to indulge until October. Once October does finally roll around I’ll become obsessed with making sure I fit all of my pumpkin favorites into the months of October and November, that’s when it feels right.

Traditionally on October 1 I bake a big batch of pumpkin muffins. I must have tried a dozen different pumpkin muffin/bread recipes before I found that perfect formula. Then one glorious, life altering October 1, inspired by my friend Jen, I threw semi-sweet chocolate chips into the last dozen going into the oven. Pumpkin and chocolate? Jen has given me many pieces of life wisdom in the 27 years we’ve know each other, but adding chocolate chips to the pumpkin muffins ranks right at the top of the list! The following October 1 I swapped out milk chocolate for the semi sweets and arrived at my version of pumpkin muffin perfection.

Pumpkin bliss doesn’t stop there. There’s Pumpkin Spice Cake with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting, a three layer delight, frosted only between the layers and on top. It’s a site to behold and a flavor combination that words cannot describe, the truth is in the tasting.

And, October wouldn’t be October without Pumpkin Sour Cream Pancakes, absolutely, without a doubt the best pancakes I’ve ever had in my life. My sister sent me this recipe many years ago and I am forever grateful. There’s something about the blend of the pumpkin and sour cream that create a texture you simply have to experience for yourself.

Speaking of breakfast, let us not forget pumpkin spice waffles; a delightful concoction of pretty much everything you put in pumpkin pie, plus dark brown sugar. Let that get nice & crispy in your waffle iron and it’s a little piece of heaven on earth.

For general snacking, and perfect for fall entertaining, there’s this awesome pumpkin dip with cream cheese, cinnamon and nutmeg all blended together. The pumpkin dip’s perfect partners are gingersnaps and cinnamon graham cracker sticks for a sweet twist on chips & dip.

By the way, I haven’t forgotten the classic pumpkin pie. In keeping with tradition, that will be part of our Thanksgiving menu.

The problem is, I have all these “must haves” from years past, but somehow still seem to find new pumpkin inspiration at every turn. Just last night I came across a Barefoot Contessa recipe for Pumpkin Mousse Parfait and immediately added it to the list. What can I say, my annual pumpkin craving was already in full swing and that just put me over the top. October 1 can’t get here fast enough! Anyone else with me on this?