Settling back into academic life can come with a lot of challenges. Balancing classes, clubs and social life can seem difficult. Finding time to enjoy your hobbies can be almost impossible.
Carving out the time in order to do the things you love is a really important aspect of creating a routine. For some, this can look like spending extra time in the kitchen baking treats to share on a cool autumn day.
From a preposterous amount of pumpkin, to an alluring amount of apple, these are some of the best fall treats to bake while balancing a busy schedule.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day so why not spice it up, literally.
Senior Christian Sehlmeyer attributes diners at home on Long Island to having some of the best fall treats, “I remember having stacks of pancakes with all different kinds of fall flavors.”
One of the more popular flavors of the season, pumpkin can be a great addition to any flap-jack.
Baked in 25 minutes, this Pumpkin Pancake Recipe recipe calls for 2 Cups All Purpose Flour, 3 Teaspoons Baking Powder, 1 Teaspoon Salt, 1 1/2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon, 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger, 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg, 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar, 1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar, 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 1 Cup Pumpkin Puree, 2 Large Eggs, 4 Tablespoons Butter Melted, 1 1/2 Cups Milk.
“It’s simple to make and a great way to enjoy diner food while having a busy schedule,” Sehlmeyer states.
Continuing with the pumpkin trend, pumpkin sandwich cookies are another fall favorite.
For this fun fall treat, what is needed is: 1 cup unsalted butter melted, 1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 egg, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 cup pure pumpkin, 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt. For those frosting lovers to make the buttercream calls for; 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature, 1/4 cup cream cheese chilled, 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream, 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. This recipe should only take up an hour of your time. Great for baking while watching a fun fall show. “Gilmore Girls,” “Pretty Little Liars” and “Friday Night Lights” are all great choices!
While Junior Anna Minino appreciates pumpkin during autumn, apple and cinnamon flavored treats are some of her favorites, “The Kringles from Trader Joe’s have always been one of my favorite holiday baked goods,” Minino states when asked about some of her most anticipated fall snacks. “If you were in a crunch for time and wanted a fun treat, I’d recommend warming one up in the oven.”
Minino, who loves to cook, also recommends baking White Chocolate Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies. “I’ve sort of come up with my own recipe over the years, but its a quick and easy way to have a more fall inspired treat.”
This recipe requires; 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter softened to room temperature, 1/2 cup (100 grams) light brown sugar, 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar, 1 large egg room temperature, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 and 1/2 cups (150 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats, 3/4 cup (105 grams) sweetened dried cranberries and 3/4 cup (140 grams) white chocolate chips.
“I just recently made these for my roommates, it took about fifty minutes and we all loved them. They make a great snack for watching Gimore Girls,” Minino explains.
While the back to school season can be filled with stress and feel very overwhelming, especially for those moving into or back into college, it is crucial to remember to create time for yourself. This fall season, this time could be spent baking some quick and easy, but most importantly delicious fall treats.