It's Pumpkin Time!

pumpkin spice recipes to cozy up to

Although I started seeing pumpkin spice products in stores starting around Labor Day, it isn’t until we are well into October that I begin to feel a hankering for that warm, sweet seasoning. And here we are! So here you go—a few of my favorite fall pumpkin recipes to cozy up to this season. Enjoy!

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Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats 

This version of the pudding-like, make-ahead, no-cook oatmeal celebrates autumn flavors with pumpkin puree, pure maple syrup, pumpkins seeds, dried cranberries and fragrant pumpkin-pie spices. This pumpkin spice overnight oats makes it easy to get up in the morning knowing you have this ready and waiting for you in the refrigerator.

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Olive Oil Pumpkin Bread

Photo by Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post

Using olive oil instead of the typical butter in this pumpkin bread gives it a rich depth of flavor as well as the health benefits of the good-for-you fat. With that, and the addition of whole-grain flour and honey instead of refined sugar, you get a sumptuous, moist pumpkin bread, that you can feel extra-good about eating.

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Pumpkin Brown Rice Pudding

Photo by Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post

Rice pudding is one of those decadent-tasting desserts that lend themselves easily to a healthful upgrade. This Pumpkin Brown Rice Pudding is like a dreamy mash-up of rice pudding and pumpkin pie. Using short-grain brown rice helps thicken a reduced-fat-milk base beautifully while giving the pudding a subtly nutty taste. Pumpkin puree adds even more creaminess and, with the addition of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, makes it pumpkin-spice-a-licious.

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