Fall is in full swing at the University of Connecticut. With the colder temperatures comes a great array of fall-themed snacks and treats that students are enjoying. Today, we asked the Life section to share their favorite fall snacks.
Jenna Outcalt, News Editor, she/her/hers, jenna.outcalt@uconn.edu
Nothing says autumn like curling up to watch a spooky movie or show and every time I do just that, I find myself reaching for Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spiced Joe-Joe’s. These little sandwich cookies have a perfect texture, a delectable filling and that just-right balance of pumpkin flavor that’s not overpowering.
After my roommate introduced me to these cookies years ago, it became my tradition to eat one cookie per episode of “Over the Garden Wall,” also known as the best fall show of all time. Just like the episodes, these cookies are short and sweet, so you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging in two or three at a time. Do yourself a favor and pair these cookies with your favorite fall drink and a night curled up on the couch for a perfect autumn evening.
Noa Climor, Social Media and Outreach Coordinator, she/her/hers, noa.climor_mizrahi@uconn.edu
I’m very fond of fall flavored snacks and baked goods. Some of my all-time favorites are from Trader Joe’s. The pumpkin spice shortbread cookies are so delicious — the frosting is sweet, but not overwhelmingly so, and the sprinkles are so darling!
I am not sure if this counts as a snack, but if it does, Trader Joe’s also has an excellent pumpkin bread mix that makes for some great muffins or just a loaf of pumpkin bread! I’m excited to go out and get some fall themed foods, and this is just the time to do it.
Thaddeus Sawyer, Campus Correspondent (he/him/his) thaddeus.sawyer@uconn.edu
I’m a simple person who finds pleasure in simple things. I don’t want a fresh baked apple pie or some pumpkin infused nonsense; the only thing I need are some Little Debbie snack cakes. Are the Fall Party Cakes basic seasonal Little Debbie cakes with slightly altered colors? Yes. Do I care? Let me put it this way: if my brownie doesn’t have a jack-o’-lantern face made from artificial orange frosting on it, I’m not interested.
Addy Riccobonni, Contributor, she/her, dxl24003@uconn.edu
Let’s set the scene: It’s 11 a.m. on a day at the end of October and you wake up and smell heaven from your kitchen. You recognize it immediately: a cinnamon roll. Who wouldn’t want this? They’re most definitely the perfect snack to watch the leaves turn – gooey, rich, sweet and nostalgic. Pair them with a warm drink and you’ll send autumn fans into a joy-overload coma. Though some people may not call them a snack, there’s no denying that they are perfect for fall.
Maanya Pande, Campus Correspondent (she/her/hers)
When people think of fall, there are a number of snacks, baked goods and drinks associated with that image. Amongst all these snacks, one flavor stands out as an absolute fall staple: cinnamon. Cinnamon finds its way into apple pies, pumpkin bread, churros, cinnamon rolls and countless seasonal lattes. More than just a spice, it’s the scent of the season and a symbol of comfort.
As cinnamon is a classic staple of fall, the best fall snack is also a classic treat: the snickerdoodle. An oldie but a goodie, snickerdoodles are timeless and impossible to resist. It has a soft, buttery base that is perfectly balanced by a crisp cinnamon-sugar coating that crackles with every bite. Easy to make and universally loved, snickerdoodles assert their spot as the best fall snack.
Michelle Pawlos, Campus Correspondent, (she/her/hers), michelle.pawlos@uconn.edu
Apple or pumpkin — it’s been a long debate on which one of these is the superior fall flavor. However, as a strong pumpkin fan, I feel that there are more delicious pumpkin-flavored things than apple-flavored ones, with the exception of caramel apples and apple cider donuts.
Fall is the perfect time to bake, especially pumpkin muffins or pumpkin pie. There are also plenty of options for those who don’t bake. Trader Joe’s has plenty of fall snacks, including their petite pumpkin spice cookies.
Putting both pumpkin and apple aside, cinnamon rolls are also essential for fall snacks. Fall, in general, offers some of the best snacks of all seasons, with many options depending on one’s preferences.
Logan De la Rosa, Contributor, (he/him/his), logan.de_la_rosa@uconn.edu
Come autumn, maple, cinnamon, cranberry, pecan and of course the almighty pumpkin, all grow to dominate both menus and minds of consumers. And yet, among these flavors, none compare to the often-overlooked apple. When leaves begin to fall, the lowliest of all the fruits finds itself thrust into a position of power: apple cider, apple crisp, apple fritters, Apple’s annual iPhone reveals and, greatest of all, the apple pie.
But even in this newfound position of power, the apple never loses its humility. It doesn’t soak up all the limelight only to be left to rot on front porches come December like the pumpkin. Instead, the apple maintains its modesty, gracefully returning to its status as a humble supermarket staple come winter. Therefore, apple food items represent the pinnacle of fall food, and I urge everyone to cherish seasonal varieties during this all-too brief time they’re offered.