#TreatYourself: 7 Pumpkin Indulgences

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pumpkin treatsAhh… fall in Arizona! Goodbye 100 degree temps, hello 90’s, maybe 80’s during a cold spell. While we don’t see leaves changing colors, we do see the signs at Starbucks for the Pumpkin Spice Latte. That’s what signifies the return of fall for those of us in the desert and the return of all things pumpkin!

What started with the Pumpkin Spice Latte has evolved into an annual pumpkinpalooza. And you mama, deserve a bit of pumpkin indulgence. Not roasted pumpkin seeds. Not pumpkin granola. I’m talking about a decadent, rich, pumpkin-flavored goodie only available during the short fall season. This month, go beyond the Pumpkin Spice Latte and splurge on one (or two) pumpkin treats. #treatyourself! 

With the help of my fellow SMB Contributors, I’ve rounded up a few of our favorite pumpkin indulgences to get you started. Be sure to share your favorites in the comments section!

  1. Pumpkin Ice Cream
    Fall in Arizona is the same as summer everywhere else, which means we still need to cool off with ice cream throughout the month of October! Local artisan ice cream favorite, Sweet Republic, has created a Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream that you’ll be more than happy to trade in your PSL for. Or try the Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream from Baskin Robbins or Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream from Cold Stone Creamery. Add some mix-ins at Cold Stone to make a pumpkin pie ice cream treat!
  2. Pumpkin Beer
    For pumpkin treats you can drink, try a pumpkin beer, like Pumpkin Porter from Arizona’s Four Peaks Brewing Company. Made with real pumpkin puree, a fellow SMB Contributor reported that this local craft beer has quite the following!
  3. Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Favorites
    Trader Joe’s
     has taken the pumpkin food movement to a whole new level! You name it, they’ve pumpkinized it. SMB Contributor Lindsey loves to indulge in their Pumpkin Caramel Danish Kringle. I like their Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins for just the right amount of decadence with morning coffee. (although they’re equally delicious after any meal). Cookie butter fans can rejoice because there is Pumpkin Spice Cookie Butter! And of course, anything else pumpkin there is absolutely amazing. Thank goodness for TJ’s!
  4. Pumpkin Pancakes
    SMB Contributor Rochelle’s pumpkin indulgence is an order of heavenly Pumpkin Pancakes from Snooze: An AM Eatery. Snooze varies their specialty pancake, but with pumpkin fever sweeping through The Valley we have a feeling they will remain the featured item for awhile!
  5. Pumpkin Pie Mousse
    The Pumpkin Pie at Seasons 52 takes this ho-hum classic to an entirely new level. I tried some at the recent SMB Mom’s Night Out at Biltmore Fashion Park and had to back away from the dessert table so that everyone could take a turn! More of a mousse than a pie, it’s light, fluffy, and oh so flavorful pumpkin mousse filling steals the show with some bits of sugar crystals for extra sweetness and a soft ginger snap cookie for a burst of yummy spice.untitled-design-5
  6. Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes
    Instead of waiting in line at the Starbucks drive thru, head over to Gigi’s Cupcakes  for their Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcake. Trust me, you’ll thank me for this! Gigi’s PSLC is a pumpkin cupcake loaded with cream cheese frosting, pumpkin pie spice, and sugar crystals, then topped with a cute little “Starbucks green” straw. Wow. Just wow. They even have a gluten free version so GF gals can enjoy these amazing pumpkin treats!
  7. Pumpkin Dog Treats
    Ok, so it’s not a treat for you but it is for your “other child”… you know, the furry four-legged friend who often gets overlooked with you’re stretched thin with little ones?! Show Fido some love with some Pumpkin Dog Treats! Available at the home of all things pumpkin… whe
    re else but Trader Joe’s!

What are your favorite pumpkin indulgences? Do tell… I gotta try ’em!