Shitters! The most blessed month of the year, Pumptober, is unfortunately coming to a close (), but after many inquiries, I realized I could not let it pass without sharing my favorite Pumptober recipes. We’ll call it “Shit I Baked And Liked.”

Now, I realize cross-platform engagement should not necessarily be assumed (though if you have no idea what I’m talking about rn, you are missing out on some very solid IG #content, and that is unfortunate for you!), so for the uninitiated: Pumptober is October when you are fucking obsessed with pumpkin. S/o to my sweet friend Margaret who birthed it as a concept, and is the patron saint of the season. For one month a year you abandon absolutely any other pastimes you may have (weeknight socializing, reading before bed, answering texts in a timely fashion—whatever they may be) to bake a bunch of shit with pumpkin in it. It is a time to spread joy and happiness and PUMPKIN throughout your friend group/ workplace/ wherever else you are bringing your pumptreats, and it is very fun and highly rewarding.

Over the years there have been MANY a hit (I mean, it’s pumpkin we’re talking about—shit slaps). After jogging my memory via a trip down IG story highlights, I have compiled the best recipes to take you into Pumpvember (not a thing, but still seasonally appropriate). They are as follows:

Vegan Pumpkin Sugar Cookies (via Minimalist Baker). These have somewhat unexpectedly been the Pumptober 2019 favorite so far, which is HUGE because that involved some major competition. The dough is fantastic, and the icing is not to be missed or skimped on! It’s a pretty simple recipe—go with Miyokos Creamery (a Shit I Bought and Liked fave) for the vegan butter—and seriously, do not underestimate these just because they’re vegan. The ingredients aren’t too crazy either—the only thing you might not have on hand while making is the butter, and it is now at TJ’s!
Pumpkin Crumb Cake Muffins (via Sallys Baking Addiction). These were my first ever Pumptober recipe attempt and a HIT. The crumble at the top is to die for, and is something you’ll want to add to literally everything until the end of time. And that maple glaze, woweeeee.
Pumpkin Spice Cake (via Sweet Laurel). Sweet Laurel is a grain-free bakery in LA that is known for their GORGEOUS cakes, and I was stoked when my coworker Kari gave me their cookbook for my birthday. This was my first-ever cake attempt, and if you were following along on Instagram you know it wasn’t quiiiiite smooth sailing (the faults were entirely my own), BUT I did end up with a cake that’s very cute and yummy, just like pretty much everything that comes out of this book. You want these cake pans if you try it—the handles are key.
Pumpkin Stuffed Brownies (via The Cookie Rookie). You should know that I have never heard from more people about a recipe than this one. People lose their minds over a stuffed brownie. I used a box mix and it was my first time trying Simple Mills—HUGE. OBSESSED. INCREDIBLE. NEVER GOING BACK. It’s an almond flour mix, so they’re SUPER fudgy, naturally gluten/grain-free, super clean ingredients-wise, and FUCKING DIVINE. Just make sure you save enough mix to cover the middle pumpkin cream cheese layer unless you would like to make a Whole Foods run halfway through the assembly process like yours truly!
Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars (via Real Simple). Real Simple! Home of MY OLD JOB (said much like Phoebe from Magic School Bus talking about her old school). The few glorious months that I worked there consisted primarily of eating the test kitchen’s pie recipes ahead of the Thanksgiving issue. It was and will forever be the best job I have ever had (to the fans of my current workplace, you have to understand—they paid me to do Facebook Lives and try beauty products and eat pie). This recipe is definitely labor intensive and involves a fuckton of cream cheese, but who can say no to a speculoos crust?!
Pumpkin Pecan Loaf (via Laura Lea Balanced). This is a grain-free, dairy-free loaf that my bosses (ok, Lovett) allowed himself to eat during the filming of the Pod Save America HBO special because it wasn’t carbs. I imagine there are still SOME carbs in this, but yes—less than a regular bread! Eat away! This one makes a good breakfast—moist (in the least gross way possible), only slightly sweet, and just so yummy. LL also has a great cookbook for everyone in the market.

Hmm six recipes—what a quick little roundup! But seriously, any/all of these are big time crowdpleasers and worth a shot if you’re in the mood for a little fall baking. I’d say the loaf, cookies, and brownies (not including the extra trip to the store) were the easiest, if that’s your deciding factor.

Let me know what you try!!

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Shit I Bought And Liked

shit i bought and liked no. 14: pumptober