Some foods are great year round and others are best for seasonal appearances. If you handed me a pumpkin latte in May I would probably wrestle you. But, as the leaves start to fall and we head for the autumnal beauty of the Twin Cities I am all in on pumpkin spice and other flavors of the season. Here are a couple of recommendations!
Pumpkin Pancakes from Hope Breakfast Bar
These pancakes are thick, creamy and right on time for pumpkin season. The cream cheese syrup is very rich but frankly, that’s what I’m here for. I involved the whipped cream for a little extra gluttonous treat and I have zero regrets. I’d also like to award extra points to Hope Breakfast Bar for providing a carafe of coffee at the table and offering a to-go cup in case I wanted a little extra for the road. Class act. $14
A Baker’s Wife (Sean McPherson / City Cast)
Apple Spice Donuts from A Baker’s Wife
As a snob who grew up in New England I can be pretty picky about my apple cider donuts. But my pickiness knew no match for the utter joy that is the apple spice donut from A Baker’s Wife in South Minneapolis. This donut is liberally peppered with cinnamon sugar but the secret weapon is the airiness of the donut. There are plenty of little air bubbles inside the donut so it doesn’t carry quite the heft of your usual donut. That is at least what I told myself as I had a second one off of the tray at my temple earlier this fall. $1.60
Pumphouse Creamery (Sean McPherson / City Cast)
Pumpkin Ice Cream from Pumphouse Creamery
If you’re looking for the finest in pumpkin ice cream look no further than the Pumphouse Creamery in South Minneapolis. This ice cream mainstay is serious about their pumpkin ice cream, and they even display an example of the Autumnwood Farm-raised Long Island Cheese Squash they use to make the ice cream. The flavors are farm fresh and don’t rely heavily on dried spices to communicate the harvest flavors. It’s so common for “pumpkin” to be used as a point of departure to pile on the cinnamon and the ginger. But this ice cream lets the pumpkin flavor take center stage. Try it on a pumpkin skeptic and watch them change their tune! $8.50/pint
Dogwood Coffee (Sean McPherson / City Cast)
Golden Milk from Dogwood Coffee
I’m a coffee man. I’m not even certain how I fell into a Golden Milk but at some point at Dogwood Coffee on East Lake I grabbed a Golden Milk and I’ve been in love ever since. It’s one of those drinks where upon the first sip you immediately feel like you’re walking out of a spa after a fifteen hour massage no matter what you are actually facing. The drink can be made cold or hot and with any type of milk. That milk is then mixed in equal parts with a Rishi Turmeric Ginger Chai. I get it hot with whole milk. If you are good on caffeine you are looking for a drink to bring some autumnal peace and relaxation this is the drink for you. $5.50/$6.50
We hope you enjoy these seasonal treats and please drop us a line if you have anything to add!
