Okay, confession time: I don't like the flavor of pumpkin. Blasphemous, I know, especially in the heart of pumpkin spice latte season, but there's just something about the taste that I can't stand. That said, I love fall, and I definitely love fall sweets. I have a massive sweet tooth, but I have to get a bit creative with my suffocate-myself-in-spice desires because everyone seems to focus on pumpkin. Luckily, these five sweet fall treats make my day a million times better.
Starbucks: Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino
The unofficial start of fall may be marked by the return of the pumpkin spice latte, but that doesn't mean that's all that Starbucks has to offer by means of fall food. My personal favorite is the Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino.
According to their website's official listing of the drink, the salted caramel mocha frappuccino is made with
"mocha sauce and toffee nut syrup with coffee, milk and ice," then finished off with "sweetened whipped cream, caramel sauce and a blend of turbinado sugar and sea salt for an explosion of flavor in every sip." That's a lot of fancy words, but the drink lives up to every expectation set by the description. Ribbons of caramel interlaced with rock-like turbinado sugar and chunks of sea salt are treats all by themselves. Add coffee and more caramel, and I am deceased. You can also get a hot version of the drink, if walking between classes in cold weather with a frozen drink isn't your style.
And, if salted caramel mocha isn't your game (in which case, how?), don't fret: Starbucks still has a whole menu of fall treats to choose from.
#SpoonTip: I even top off my drink with a nice shake of nutmeg and a drizzle of honey, which adds another layer of decadence.
Dairy Queen: Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Blizzard
If you're not one for ice cream year-round, then I'm apologizing now—because my ice cream fervor is not dying down any time soon. The Pumpkin Pie Blizzard (to my behest) has apparently been a staple in the general population since it came out in 1991, and definitely reigns supreme in my house. However, for those of us who don't like pumpkin: the Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Blizzard has us covered.
Described by the DQ website as snickerdoodle cookie dough with cinnamon sugar blended with creamy DQ vanilla soft serve, this treat carries all the cinnamon-y, spice-y goodness of fall that I need.
But if you're not feeling the cookie dough vibes and don't mind something not on a seasonal menu, then I'd highly recommend the Salted Caramel Truffle Blizzard, too.
The Cheesecake Factory: Cinnabon® Cinnamon Swirl Cheesecake
The Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake is another fall staple for lots of people, but it's met its match in the Cinnabon® Cinnamon Swirl Cheesecake. Described as "layers of Cinnabon® cinnamon cheesecake and vanilla crunch cake topped with cream cheese frosting and caramel," this is every fall spice lover's creamy dream.
#SpoonTip: If you're not in the mood for more dessert, I'd definitely recommend the crispy brussels sprouts. Their maple butter glaze and bacon scream fall just as much as any cinnamon sugar.
Culver's: custom concretes
Culver's unveiled three pumpkin-flavored concretes this season, but what's more interesting to me is the customization possible in these sweet treats. My personal favorite combination is butterscotch and salted caramel—there may not be much crunch, but boy, does it taste like fall!
It should also be noted that while I was doing research for this article, I stumbled across the fact that Culver's also serves a limited edition Pretzel Haus pub burger. Beef, cheese, bacon, and a pretzel bun—that's fall enough for me!
Krispy Kreme: S'mores Hot Chocolate and Cinnamon Swirl Donuts
Though Krispy Kreme has gone through a fall rotation already (I miss you dearly, Monster Batter Donut), that definitely doesn't mean the seasonal tastes are stopping anytime soon. The S'mores Hot Chocolate flavor is tooth-decaying-ly sweet (aka, exactly how I like it) and tastes every bit the campfire treat, while the Cinnamon Swirl Donut is a fall treat made in heaven. And, if you're feeling like a bit of pumpkin, just to try it, the Pumpkin Spice Cake donut tastes more spice-y than pumpkin-y, I pinky promise.
Fall is for everyone, whether or not you're a pumpkin lover. So what are you waiting for? Enjoy the flavors of fall—before winter comes in and brings its own.