Time to whisk out your baking sheets and pans and treat yourself.
Alana Mullaly, Staff Writer
October 12, 2023
Everyone loves a little something sweet, especially in the fall season. October is a time of celebration and comfort. The weather is changing and the warm summer heat is turning into sweater weather. Luckily, nice treats help us to stay warm and comfortable.
Halloween and Thanksgiving are both around the corner, which brings out everyone’s sweet tooth.
Grossmont students are no different, some students even have their go-to fall favorites. Michayla Cuff, a student at Grossmont College, said her favorite fall treat is pumpkin praline coffee from her favorite coffee shop Gladly Coffee in Spring Valley.
“It is seasonal so I can enjoy it for a limited time,” Cuff said. “I like it because it is fall-themed and features warm spices like cinnamon that are comforting during fall.”
If you are in the mood for a sweet and comforting fall drink on a cold day, Cuff’s favorite treat might become your favorite too.
Grossmont Student Daleyna Aguirre’s favorite treat is carrot cake: “It reminds me of Thanksgiving and baking it with my grandma when I was younger,” she said.
Carrot cake is a staple for the fall season and baking it at home can make lasting memories. For Aguirre, her memories of baking the cake make it much more special.
Agurrie’s carrot cake makes a great pairing with Cuff’s choice of pumpkin praline coffee, although another great pairing with the coffee is a Cinnamon Apple Crisp, which happens to be Elisabeth Jordan’s favorite fall treat.
Jordan, a student who attends both Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, said, “My favorite fall treat is Cinnamon Apple Crisp because it has just the right amount of sweetness and spice.”
Jordan said she makes it every year for her family to mark the changing of the seasons, adding that the treat reminds her of autumn and is nice to have on a chilly day.
On top of these students’ favorite fall treats, The Summit staff has some favorites of their own:
- Lindsay Elias: Pumpkin pie from Costco
- Aaron Luna: Maple cream cake from Trader Joe’s
- Mya Alexander: Pumpkin loaf from Starbucks
- Janelle Carter: Apple croissant from Starbucks
- Perla Cruz: Homemade pumpkin spice muffins
- Jacom Cummings: Homemade pumpkin spice cookies
- Gail Gilman: Candied or caramel apples
- Mark Lee: Homemade pumpkin cheesecake
- Alana Mullaly: Homemade chocolate fudge
- Alex Pabon: Pillsbury pumpkin shape sugar cookies
- Dr. Jeanette Calo: Pumpkin scones from Starbucks
If any of these treats sound delicious to you, you’re in luck! Here are some recipes:
Carrot Cake: Homemade recipe
| Ingredients: | Directions: |
| 3 cups of flour2 cups of sugar 2 teaspoon cinnamon1 ½ teaspoon baking soda1 ½ teaspoon salt1 teaspoon baking powder1 can 8 3 ⁄ 4 oz. crushed pineapple2 cups shredded carrots3 eggs beaten1 ½ cups oil2 teaspoon vanilla1 ½ cups nuts½ teaspoon nutmeg1 ½ teaspoon ground clove | Mix together flour, sugar, cinnamon, soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg & clovesDrain pineapples and save the syrup. Add pineapple syrup to the dry mixture. Add eggs, oil, vanilla, and beat for 3 minStir in pineapple, carrots, and nutsBake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 20 mins. (Use bundt pan or 9 x 13 cake pan) |
Cinnamon apple crisp: by allrecipes.com; Carrie
| Prep time: 15 mins |
| Cook time: 30 mins |
| Total time: 45 mins |
| Serves: 6 |
| Ingredients: | Directions: |
| 1 cup white sugar½ cup unsalted butter, softened¾ cup all-purpose flour4 cups sliced apples1 teaspoon ground cinnamon½up water | Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish.Cream sugar and butter together in a bowl with an electric mixer. Blend in flour.Place apples into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon. Pour in water, then sprinkle sugar-butter mixture evenly over top.Bake in the preheated oven until the apples are tender and the crust is golden, 30 to 40 minutes. |
Pumpkin spice cookies: by allrecipes.com; CARRUTH
| Prep time: 15 mins |
| Cook time: 20 mins |
| Total time: 40 mins |
| Servings: 24 |
| Ingredients: | Directions: |
| 1 (15.25 ounce) package of spice cake mix1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin | Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.Stir together cake mix and pumpkin in a large bowl until well blended.Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.Bake in the preheated oven until centers are set, 18 to 20 minutes.Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. |
