What is going on in the world? Is Al Gore messing with the global temperature again? We’re sneaking into mid October and here I am in Los Angeles trying to talk myself out of using my air conditioner. It’s as hot here as it was in July. We’re talking 90’s people. 90’s! That’s just not normal.
All I want to do is get the cider going, maybe curl up with some pear upside down cake or anything filled with pumpkin flavor. What’s stopping me? All this blasted sunshine and heat. I know… I know… I shouldn’t let a little sunshine get in the way of my dreams.
Incidentally, just as I’m writing this, I have my neighbors glorious barbecue smells wafting through my window. I suppose I can’t be all that grumpy about a little sunshine.
Are you having more cozy, spice friendly weather? Here are some of the deliciously spiced recipes I’ve played with here on Joy the Baker. No doubt this Fall (as soon as it kicks in) I’ll share some new goodies with you.
Now I’m going to go see if I can snatch some barbecue scraps from my neighbor…..
Gingerbread Pancakes with Homemade Pancake Syrup Yes. More pancakes. Don’t act like you’re the least bit surprised.
Zucchini Sweet Potato Bread This is one of my Dad’s favorite breads. A grated raw sweet potato adds amazing moisture and flavor to this bread. Also throw in nuts and dried fruit as you see fit. It’s totally customizable.
Super Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies These are easily one of my favorite cookies of all time. They fall somewhere in between cake and cookie. Perfect. And the combination of pumpkin and chocolate is just so dear to my heart.
Cranberry Orange Almond Oatmeal This breakfast oatmeal is so good you might not mind dragging yourself out of bed ten minutes early to make it. Between the oats, dried fruit and almonds, this is one delicious balanced breakfast that would keep any normal person full well into the lunch hour. I’m a maniac though, so no matter what I eat for breakfast, by 10:30 in the morning I’m ready for second breakfast…. yes… second breakfast.
What spiced goodies are you baking up for Fall (or Spring, if you’re on the other side of the planet) ?
Jesse
That is a gorgeous nutmeg photo! I’m quite partial to nutmeg and the smell of apple cider sends me over the edge… but as far as eating? I like to use spice blends, like cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cayenne, black pepper and maybe a pinch of cumin. I guess I like spiciness in my spices :)
Amber
It is 53 degrees here and the wind is blowing. It is also 2:20am and I woke up because I am so cold and now I can not go back to sleep. So what do I do? I go to my favorite sites. All I can say is ‘turn on the air and pretend’. The nutmeg photo is beautiful and I have always loved pudding more than most things.
angela
I have made a few different recipes off your site now, and they have been lovely. I never felt the physical NEED to comment, but after making those pumpkin chocolate chip cookies today… oh my goodness, they are incredible! Especially right out of the oven. I love dunking them into a glass of milk! :)
Deanna
The gingerbread pancakes sound so good, going to have to try this for dinner tonight, along with the syrup. I have never made it with brown sugar before. Thanks for the wonderful recipes. And here in Oregon its unusually cold. It even snowed last night in a city near me.
megan
It’s only 65 today in N Ca. and feels like Fall, finaly!
QL girl
ugh….I wish I was your best friend so you can invite me over when you bake up all that deliciousness!! I definitely love the fall, although we never technically experience it here. We have the hot season, and the REALLY hot season. Either way, I love spices and I usually end up eating them regardless of the weather outside. I’m so excited to have all these new recipes to try!
Aimee
We’ve been gobbling up Apple Cake with spices, drinking mulled cider and I just finished canning 32 jars of Cinnamon-Maple Apple Butter. Lots of apples, lots of spices–it really feels like fall up here.
Tiffany
for the past week the high has been (on avg) about 72 and rainy. the summers in charlotte are about unbearable and i am so happy it’s finally over. i busted out some spices just this morning and made a banana bread with cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and threw in some chocolate chips just because. a lovely breakfast with tea this morning…
Andrea Bell
Great picture. It’s been feeling relatively fall-y in NYC, which is my favorite season ever. I have no idea what spice-filled treats to make once the temperature really starts to drop! That’s where Joy the Baker comes in! I never fail to get ideas here.
Sari
I learned all about the wonder that is the chocolate and pumpkin combination just last year when I was in New York visiting a friend. These will be a must try. You’re great!
EB
I’ve been feeling exactly the same way. I always crave spice once September hits, but it’s one of San Francisco’s hottest months. It doesn’t cool down until the first week of November usually.
Kendra
I just found your site and love it!! I can’t wait to keep visiting. Your photos are beautiful, and I can’t wait to try some of your amazing confections. Can’t wait to come back!
cyndi
I know what you mean about your heat…my hubby + I were at the Ojai Valley Inn + Spa last week celebrating our upcoming 5th anniversary and the first several days were 100+ degrees! Last year when we were there (the same exact week) it was only in the 80’s.
You’ve done it AGAIN! We’re celebrating our actual anniversary this Sunday by cooking together and I really wanted to find a fun/simple dessert recipe utilizing pumpkin. Although it isn’t exactly fall here (LA, as in Louisiana)yet either, we got married amidst the changing leaves in North Carolina so I want it to feel like Fall and your Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie is perfect! Not only does it utilize pumpkin but my hubby LOVES chocolate chip cookies more than most. Knowing how awesome your recipes are, I have no idea this will be a hit. Thank you!
p.s. Those gingerbread pancakes sound divine! Yet another “Joy recipe” that will be added to my “must try” list.
Jaina
It’s been hot and cold here, can’t seem to make up its mind.
Hilary
Here in New York it’s getting cooler, though today is suddenly warmer. I know there will be plenty of winter later, so I love the warmth.