October is that awkward in-between season, isn’t it? The calendar says fall, but Texas is still serving up swimming pool weather. (I’ve probably just jinxed us—watch the temperature drop as soon as I post this.) Even so, my kitchen is starting to shift into cozy mode, and these are the recipes I’m leaning into right now. Maybe you’re ready to embrace pumpkin everything (cut to me making my own pumpkin coffee creamer) or just need some comfort food – these dishes are giving all the fall feels, even if we’re still wearing or Birkenstocks (without socks).
Maple Pumpkin Black and White Cookies
I’m fresh from my first trip back NYC in FIVE YEARS !? I stayed on the Upper West Side and made it my entire personality to eat a Black and White Cookie from Zabar’s every single day. Of course, now I need to make a batch of The Cookie back in Texas. As the calendar dictates, we’re going for an autumnal variety. The soft, cakey cookie we love, now loaded with maple and pumpkin to compliment the chocolate. It’s a very very good cookie!
Nothing wrong with a little Thanksgiving test run – and this is not your average pumpkin pie! A custardy pumpkin filling meets a sugar cookie tart shell for something a little fancy but still super cozy. The custard filling is so much more silky than a pumpkin pie. Thank you Cajun Louisiana for this gem!
Baked Polenta with Burst Tomatoes
Polenta is a weighted blanket in a bowl. This dish is hearty but not heavy, perfect for those in-between season nights when you want comfort to come directly out of the oven and into your lap, but it’s not quite stew weather.
Marry Me Chicken and Smothered Chicken
These dishes are the definition of cozy, stick-to-your-ribs meals. Whether you’re going for the creamy richness of Marry Me Chicken or the down-home cooked onion comfort of Smothered Chicken, both will make you feel like you’ve been wrapped in the warm hug of a one pot meal. Serve with very buttery, salty rice.
It’s still summer Texas. This Campari Gin Sour is the perfect in-between drink—refreshing with a little cozy citrus kick. It’s just the thing to sip on while we’re waiting for the weather to catch up to the season.
Apple Butter and Cream Cheese Kolaches
These kolaches are an essential bake. The sweet-tangy apple butter and creamy cheese filling make them a cheeky fall twist on the classic cream cheese kolaches. Share with the neighbors, they’ll disappear fast (the kolaches, not the neighbors – I feel like that needs clarification).
This is the kind of bread you bake when you want to impress a crowd but still keep things doughy and cozy. Warm, fluffy, and loaded with garlic and dried herbs. The pull-apart nature of this bread makes it perfect for sharing – serve this alongside pasta dinner or with roasted chicken. There’s no wrong answer.
Have a sweet weekend, friends! Turn on the oven and take good care!
xo
3 Responses
love all of these, gin sours! And the kolaches, thank you!
I’m in Northern CA & the summer was tough! July was brutally hot (most days over 100°, many of those pushing or above 110° ??), August & September weren’t much better. And now October, my favorite month, has been sassy hot so far (we are supposed to be finally cooling into the mid-70s this weekend). I’m more than ready for real fall temps out here so I can get into my cozy recipes! Love the blog, keep being fabulous! ????
Hi Janette, we live in Central Coastal, CA and our summer was mostly cool, foggy, and breezy. We did have a heatwave the first week in Oct. Our high today w/b 65°. Come to the coast and cool off. Hugs……