Tasty & Simple Fall Treats

Fall brings one thing to mind for me above everything else: baking. I’m not sure whether it is my love for all things food or the fond memories I have of cooking with loved ones, but nothing excites me more for the season than the endless treats that come along with it.

Every October, my family and I pile in the car and drive nine hours to visit my grandmother. As soon as we arrive and step in the door to her house, we are hit with the smell of fresh baked apple and pumpkin pie, chocolate chip cookies, and pecan tassies. The long drive is always worth it when I know that I get to see my grandmother and drown myself in all the different pies and cookies she has freshly prepared for us.

I grew up admiring my grandmother and her talent for baking. Year after year, I would peak into the kitchen and hover behind her as she effortlessly put together the most delicious treats. When I got old enough, I was invited to help and I remember being beyond excited. However, despite countless lessons from my grandmother, it was clear that I did not inherit any type of baking ability, whatsoever. I have improved slightly as I have gotten older, but after a few batches of burnt cookies, I have been demoted to preheating the oven and washing the dishes.

Looking back now, I realize it wasn’t as much about making the perfect dessert, as it was about spending time with my family. The laughs, jokes about my baking accidents, and deep talks made that time in the kitchen special. Now, every fall, I look forward to the trip to my grandmother’s house; not only because I get to eat endless slices of pie, but also because I know that I will get to spend hours in the kitchen reminising and bonding over great food.

I am counting down to this year’s trip when I will get to be back in the kitchen, enjoying the company of my grandmother and eating all of the treats she makes. Until then, I put together a list of some of my favorite fool-proof fall desserts that anyone can make, even me!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Acorns 
Ingredients:

• Hershey’s kisses
• Chocolate frosting
• Peanut butter cookie bites
• Mini chocolate chips
• Plastic Bag

1. Unwrap a Hershey’s kiss and spread chocolate frosting on the flat side.
2. Stick the frosted end to one side of a mini peanut butter cookie.
3. Place a spoonful of the frosting in a bag and cut a tiny part off of the corner. Then, use the bag to place a pea-sized dot of frosting on the other side of the cookie.
4. Stick a mini chocolate chip to the dot of frosting to make the stem of the acorn.
5. Repeat these steps for as many acorns as you want to make!

Chocolate Dipped Candy Corns
Ingredients:

• 5 Tbsp Butter
• 6 Cups mini marshmallows
• 6 Cups Rice Crispy Cereal
• Orange food coloring
• White chocolate candy coating
• Dark chocolate candy coating
• 11×13 Baking pan
• Wax paper

1. Start by melting the butter over medium heat.
2. Once melted, add in the marshmallows and stir until they are also melted.
3. Take the pot off of the heat and mix in the cereal and a few drops of food coloring until all are combined.
4. Press the mixture into a buttered 11×13 baking pan.
5. Let the treats set and then cut into triangles.
6. Melt the white and dark chocolate in separate bowls according to the package instructions.
7. Dip the top of triangle into the white chocolate and the bottom into the dark chocolate.
8. Set each treat on wax paper and let the chocolate set.
9. Store in an airtight container at room temperature and enjoy!

Mini Apple Pies
Ingredients:

• Cinnamon Roll dough with icing
• 1 ⅓ cups of apple pie filling, chopped (from 21 oz. can)

1. Heat the oven to 375°F.
2. Spray or line 8 regular sized muffin cups.
3. Separate cinnamon roll dough into 8 pieces and press each piece into a muffin cup, covering the bottom and the sides.
4. Fill each muffin cup with 2 tablespoons of pie filling.
5. Bake 14 to 18 minutes and let cool 5 minutes.
6. Finally, drizzle icing over each cup and devour!