Summary: The air is becoming crisp, the days are getting shorter and once again everything that is pumpkin spice flavored is on the shelf. There's just something about that combination of spices that brings to mind mugs of hot chocolate, cozy fires, crisp days and time spent with family and friends. What was once a comfort item has become a national obsession. Join me today as we look a little at the history of this spicy goodness and I share some recipes that are sure to make your mouth water. <br> <br> <br> You can find the article about the history of pumpkin spice here: <br> <br> <br> <a href="http://chicagoist.com/2014/10/31/pumpkin_spice_rise_and_fall_of_an_a.php">http://chicagoist.com/2014/10/31/pumpkin_spice_rise_and_fall_of_an_a.php</a><br> <br> <br> <br> Pumpkin Spice<br> <br> <br> 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br> <br> <br> ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg<br> <br> <br> ¼ teaspoon ground ginger<br> <br> <br> ¼ teaspoon ground cloves. <br> <br> <br> <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/20476/pumpkin-spice/">http://allrecipes.com/recipe/20476/pumpkin-spice/</a><br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Spiced Pumpkin Seeds<br> <br> <br> 1 ½ tablespoons margarine, melted<br> <br> <br> ½ teaspoon salt<br> <br> <br> 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt<br> <br> <br> 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce<br> <br> <br> 2 cups raw whole pumpkin seeds<br> <br> <br> Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135<br> degrees C).<br> <br> <br> Combine the margarine, salt, garlic<br> salt, Worcestershire sauce and pumpkin seeds. Mix thoroughly and place in<br> shallow baking dish.<br> <br> <br> Bake for 1 hour, stirring<br> occasionally.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Easy Pumpkin Spice Latte<br> <br> <br> 2<br> tablespoons half-and-half<br> <br> <br> 2 teaspoons<br> white sugar, or to taste<br> <br> <br> ¼ teaspoon<br> pumpkin pie spice<br> <br> <br> 1 cup coffee<br> <br> <br> 1 tablespoon<br> whipped, cream topping, or to taste (optional)<br> <br> <br> Mix half-and-half, sugar, and<br> pumpkin pie spice together in a coffee mug. Pour coffee into mug; stir to<br> blend.<br> <br> <br> Heat in microwave until hot, about<br> 15 seconds. Top with whipped cream.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Spicy Pumpkin Spice<br> Latte<br> <br> <br> 1 cup unsweetened vanilla-flavored almond milk<br> <br> <br> ½ cup pumpkin puree<br> <br> <br> 1 tablespoon vanilla extract<br> <br> <br> 1 tablespoon white sugar, or to taste<br> <br> <br> 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice<br> <br> <br> Freshly ground black pepper to taste<br> <br> <br> 10 fluid ounces hot strongly brewed coffee<br> <br> <br> 2 tablespoons whipped cream, or more to taste (optional)<br> <br> <br> 1 pinch pumpkin pie spice, or to taste<br> <br> <br> Whisk almond milk, pumpkin puree,<br> vanilla extract, sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, and pepper together<br> in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until<br> mixture is almost boiling; remove from heat and whisk until frothy, about 1<br> minute. Divide mixture between 2 mugs.<br> <br> <br> Slowly pour coffee into each mug.<br> Top with whipped cream and pinch pumpkin pie spice.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate<br> <br> <br> ½ cup milk<br> <br> <br> 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream<br> <br> <br> ¼ cup milk chocolate chips<br> <br> <br> 1 teaspoon cocoa powder<br> <br> <br> 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin puree<br> <br> <br> ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice<br> <br> <br> ¼ cup whipped cream<br> <br> <br> 1 pinch ground cinnamon (optional)<br> <br> <br> 1 pinch ground nutmet (optional)<br> <br> <br> Whisk milk, cream, chocolate chips,<br> and cocoa powder together in a saucepan over medium heat until chocolate chips
