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5 Essential Spices To Have On Hand For Fall And Winter

When the weather turns cool and you’re ready to get in the kitchen and whip up a sweet baked good or pour a steaming cup of your favorite beverage, having those seasonal spices on hand is essential. Not just for sweet treats, these same essential spices play a vital role in seasoning savory dishes, too.

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Here are the 5 essential spices to have on hand for fall and winter recipes.

Ginger

Long known for its medicinal properties as a digestion aid, ginger is a spice that’s universally consumed year round. However, fall and winter cuisine seem to claim it as a de facto spice to use for its instant warming abilities and notable spiciness. It’s a fragrant spice that can be used in fresh or powdered form.

Ginger is used equally in sweet as well as savory dishes. It pairs well with onions and garlic as well as with sweet spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. From baked goods to beverages and from fermented foods to seafood, ginger is a versatile spice that’s good to have stocked in your spice cabinet.

Ground ginger is an integral spice in my Gingerbread Protein Smoothie and it wouldn’t taste the same without it!

Nutmeg

Nutmeg, a spice native to the South Pacific islands, comes from an evergreen tree that actually produces a peach-shaped fruit which is known as the nutmeg apple. When split in half, a nut is revealed. Upon drying the nuts and then grinding them into a spice, nutmeg powder is produced.

Nutmeg has a pungent fragrance but a slightly sweet taste. It’s used in savory dishes as well as baked goods. It’s also the prominent spice used in eggnog.

Cinnamon

Along with its timeless medicinal uses and warming, fragrance presence in fall and winter baking, beverages and even savory cuisine, it’s not surprising that cinnamon ranks as the number one spice in popularity as a superfood.

Cinnamon is made from the bark of a tree called Cinnamomum verum. This bark contains health benefits and properties which make it a potent ingredient that not only tastes amazing but can contribute to your overall well being. It’s used in a wide variety of holiday baking and beverage recipes as well as savory soups and sauces. If there’s one spice to always have on hand, cinnamon would be the one.

You can’t make pumpkin anything without including ground cinnamon, which is what helps make my Pumpkin Cheesecake so irresistible!

Cloves

Dark, pungent and aromatic, cloves are a spice that’s curated from the flower buds of the clove tree, an evergreen that grows in India, Madagascar and Indonesia. Cloves can be used whole or ground and are best used sparingly. They pack a lot of flavor and if too much is used, you can cross the line into bitterness rather than the aromatic sweetness that it’s known for.

From cakes and cookies to sauces and soups, cloves are an integral spice for fall and winter cuisine.

My gingerbread loaf recipe uses ground cloves along with all the other warming spices to make it rich and delicious.

Cardamom

Aromatic, sweet and warming, cardamom is often found paired with cinnamon and cloves for a depth of flavor and warmth in baked goods. Used prominently in Middle Eastern cuisine, cardamom is cultivated from the seed pods that originate from the ginger family.

The two prominent varieties are green pods and black pods. Green pods are either used whole or ground and perform best in sweet and baked goods. Black cardamom has a smoky flavor that works well in savory dishes. That said, both green and black can be used interchangeably between sweet and savory recipes.

Keep these 5 spices on hand for your holiday recipes. It’s worth it to purchase fresh spices this season so you’ll have the very best flavors and aromas to cook with. You can’t go wrong with a batch of fresh spices to make your recipes not only taste delicious, but worthy of rave reviews.

Need a way to keep your spices organized? Check out my Spice Storage And Organization Ideas.

You may also enjoy this Pumpkin Digital Recipe Card Bundle. Beautiful and colorful pumpkin recipes are available as digital downloads, sized in 4 x 6, for easy printing on your end. Five recipes are included in this downloadable PDF bundle. Each recipe is contained on one page. Learn more here.

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Beverages, Recipes, Smoothies

Natural Ingredients That Add Protein To Smoothies

If you’re struggling to find a protein powder that works well for you, consider ditching it all together and going for natural foods that can be easily blended into a delicious smoothie.

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

I consider protein powder to be a convenient option when I want to bulk up a tasty smoothie with additional protein as a meal replacement. Over the years, I’ve tried quite a few powders with varying results. While I do have one that I use on the regular, I also try to vary my protein sources by using natural ingredients that are easily found in my grocery store.

There are plenty of ingredients that perform beautifully when blended into a smoothie using a high-speed blender. In addition to adding protein and other nutrients, these ingredients can help thicken a smoothie or add a crunchy or chunky texture, where appropriate, or when added as a garnish.

Natural Ingredients To Try Instead Of Protein Powder

Here are a few natural ingredients to consider as a replacement for protein powder.

Almond Butter – nut butters are amazing for adding protein and healthy fats to smoothies. You’ll get about 3.4 grams of protein per tablespoon, so adding a few spoonfuls can be helpful in increasing the protein content. Almond butter is packed with minerals such as potassium, calcium, manganese, and magnesium,, so you’ll benefit from those nutrients, as well. I use almond butter in my Almond Butter and Banana Smoothie and my Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie as well as my Gingerbread Smoothie and Apple Cinnamon Smoothie. If I were leaving out the protein powder, I would amp up the spoonfuls of the nut butter.

Raw Oats – each 1/2 cup of raw oats will add about 5.9 grams of protein to your smoothie. A great thing about adding oats is that they’ll help you feel full longer because they’re considered a resistant starch. Oats are high in fiber and they also contain all 9 essential amino acids. They’re a healthy addition to smoothies that also help give them a thicker consistency.

Greek Yogurt – plain, full fat and sugar-free yogurt is an excellent addition to smoothies that packs in 20 grams of protein per cup. Yogurt is also beneficial for digestion, as it’s full of probiotics. It blends smoothly and will help keep your smoothie rich, thick and creamy.

Cottage Cheese – similar to yogurt, cottage cheese is a protein powerhouse weighing in at 14 grams per 1/2 cup. Containing casein, cottage cheese takes longer to digest, so it will help you feel full longer. It blends well and will add a creamy texture to your smoothie.

Chia Seeds – 3 tablespoons of chia seeds will add about 9 grams of protein to your smoothie. You’ll notice that even when you blend them in a high-speed blender, you’ll still see flecks of them – not to worry! They absorb water and will help you feel full longer. They’re also a great source of fiber, healthy fats and calcium.

Pumpkin Seeds – keep these tasty seeds handy year round to add protein to your smoothies. You’ll get about 8 grams of protein in 1/4 of a cup of seeds. Pumpkin seeds are considered a healthy fat and they’re also high in iron, magnesium, and zinc.

Give these protein options a try and have fun experimenting with your smoothie tastes and textures.

You may also enjoy this Fruit Smoothies Digital Recipe Card Bundle. Beautiful and colorful fruit smoothie recipes are available as digital downloads, sized in 4 x 6, for easy printing on your end. Five recipes are included in this downloadable PDF bundle. Each recipe is contained on one page. Learn more here.

More Smoothie Recipes

Cherry Vanilla Smoothie
Peaches And Cream Smoothie
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

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Desserts, Recipe Round-Ups, Recipes

17 Delicious Ways To Enjoy Pumpkin Spice This Season

Celebrate autumn with these 17 Pumpkin Spice recipes that are sure to add a cozy touch to your beverages, desserts, and sweet treats this fall season.

When the weather turns cooler and the leaves begin to change into glorious hues of yellow, red and orange, I believe that’s the universal signal to usher in all things pumpkin spice. Here, to kick off the season of pumpkin mingled with the warming spices of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves, are 17 ways to enjoy this interval of scrumptiousness. From cupcakes to donuts and from smoothies to lattes, you’ll find innovative ways to incorporate pumpkin spice into desserts as well as beverages. Explore this collection for delicious ways to spice up your pumpkin sweet treats this season.

17 Ways To Enjoy Pumpkin Spice This Season

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

PUMPKIN SPICE CUPCAKES by I Heart Naptime
This simple batter makes pumpkin spice cupcakes that will produce the most intoxicating aroma as they bake. But don’t stop there! Once baked and cooled, top this hand-held dessert with a sweetened cream cheese frosting that’s layered with a delectable maple flavor. Outrageously delicious!

PUMPKIN SPICE HOT CHOCOLATE by Striped Spatula
Chocolate, in your choice of dark or white, gets an infusion of pumpkin spice to make this your go-to hot beverage to help keep you warm when the weather turns chilly. This stovetop hot chocolate recipe uses pumpkin puree, chopped chocolate and cozy spices of cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. The easy to make brown sugar whipped cream will take it over the top!

PUMPKIN SPICE CRUFFINS by Averie Cooks
Part croissant, part muffin, these cruffins may become your new favorite seasonal dessert when it’s time to whip out all things pumpkin spice. Refrigerated crescent roll dough is the perfect shortcut to getting these cruffins baked into pumpkin, cinnamon and sugar goodness. They’re simply irresistible! Bake a batch soon!

SOFT PUMPKIN SPICE COOKIES by Seasons And Suppers
Keep a platter of these gorgeous pumpkin spice cookies on your counter or serve them during the holidays. Either way, these softly textured and beautifully decorated treats will be a crowd pleaser. And bonus: this cookie dough is freezer-friendly, so you can always have it ready to go when you need a quick dessert full of pumpkin spice.

PUMPKIN SPICE OVERNIGHT OATS by Orchids And Sweet Tea
Imagine having these scrumptious pumpkin and cinnamon spiced oats waiting for you as a breakfast item. Full of healthy oats soaked in almond milk with warming spices and chopped pecans, this overnight oats recipe is delicious enough to have as a dessert option for the evening. Win-win!

PUMPKIN SPICE BREAD WITH STREUSEL CRUMBLE by Domestically Blissful
This pumpkin spice dessert bread will entice you into having a slice with your morning coffee, and perhaps a slice as an afternoon treat, and then again after dinner as a dessert option. It’s that good! Topped with a buttery brown sugar and cinnamon streusel, these warm and cozy flavors are the perfect way to celebrate autumn.

PUMPKIN SPICE BLONDIES by Olives And Lamb
Nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and white chocolate chips give a classic blondie batter a decidedly autumn flavor profile. The brown sugar in the mix adds a taste of caramel that gives the center of these blondies that perfect gooey texture that will have you coming back for more.

PUMPKIN SPICE CREAM HORNS by Homemade Hooplah
Make these adorable and impressive sweet treats this fall season by using pre-made puff pastry. Form the pastry horns and bake. When cooled, fill with a pumpkin spice, cream cheese and brown sugar mixture. They’ll be a delightful way to celebrate autumn.

PUMPKIN SPICE ICE CREAM by The View From Great Island
Full of pumpkin flavor and spiced to perfection with cinnamon, ginger, allspice and freshly grated nutmeg, this no-churn frozen treat makes ice cream an autumn must-make, no matter what the temperature is outside. Use a stand mixer, food processor or a handheld mixer to blend the simple ingredients. Freeze at least 8 hours before serving this scrumptious pumpkin spice ice cream.

PUMPKIN SPICE CAKE by Carlsbad Cravings
When you need an impressive pumpkin-spiced cake that’s deceptively simple, this one is it. Perfect for the holidays, you’ll bake, cool and slice two regulation-sized pumpkin cakes into thin layers and frost in between each with a maple cream cheese whipped cream. For the very top, garnish the frosting with chopped pecans. You’ll love the stacked look of this cake when you cut it to serve. It’s beautiful and, of course, awesomely delicious!

PUMPKIN SPICE CREAMER by Five Heart Home
Spice up your cup of morning coffee with this rich pumpkin spice creamer that’s totally slurp-worthy on its own. Forget the store bought creamers and make this one with real ingredients and spices, not imitation flavors. Pumpkin puree, cream and all those cozy warming spices make it an irresistible creamer that you’ll reach for all season long.

PUMPKIN SPICE DONUTS by Amanda’s Cookin
This super simple pumpkin-spiced batter will be ready quickly to pipe into your donut pan for its session in the oven. Let these cake-like treats cool before attempting to ice them. Choose between a scrumptious maple glaze or a cinnamon sugar garnish. Actually, make some of each! It’s the right thing to do.

PUMPKIN SPICE CHOCOLATE CHIP BITES by Running To The Kitchen
You should always have a healthy little pumpkin spice treat ready to be devoured when the need arises, don’t you think? These oats, pumpkin puree, dates, almond butter and chocolate chip no-bake treats are spiced and rolled into bite-sized pieces of autumn’s best flavors, perfect for a quick treat anytime of the day.

PUMPKIN SPICE FLAX SEED SMOOTHIE by Wicked Spatula
There’s no reason you can’t make a healthy beverage during pumpkin season, so get ready to blend this cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger spiced pumpkin smoothie for a morning breakfast drink or an afternoon treat. Either way, it’s filled healthy ingredients that you’ll slurp up with satisfaction.

PUMPKIN SPICE KRISPIE TREATS by Cookies And Cups
You’ll love this brilliant idea of adding brown butter and pumpkin spice to these no-bake rice krispie treats. So simple, yet a delicious way to usher in the fall season with everyone’s favorite gooey marshmallow and crunchy dessert. Adults as well as kids will gobble these up!

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE by Midget Momma
If you’re still trying to perfect the seasonal pumpkin spice latte, here’s the recipe you need. Check out the homemade spice blend as well as the homemade pumpkin syrup so you can add these essential ingredients to your espresso for the perfect flavor. Frothed milk and whipped cream are essential, too. Make it and enjoy this seasonal coffee beverage. Red cup optional.

PUMPKIN SPICE COFFEE CAKE by Handle The Heat
Friends and family will swoon over this pumpkin spice coffee cake that’s topped with a brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and chopped pecans streusel. But that’s not the only place the streusel appears! Half of this yummy topping is sandwiched between the pumpkin batter to produce a lovely surprise right in the middle of the cake. Once baked and cooled, drizzle on a maple glaze for a delightful finish.

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