Cooking is enjoyed by many seniors, and fall is the perfect time to try some themed seasonal recipes. Whether you bake sweet treats, make savory dishes, or brew homemade beverages, there are new fall recipes for you.
Hickory Villa assisted living apartments come with kitchenettes where you can make simple recipes that don't require ovens. And for those that are living in residential homes or who are visiting loved ones and want to whip up something special, some of the recipes below may be of interest.
Pumpkin pie is the quintessential fall treat. It’s hard to watch a leaf fall without imagining the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg drifting from the kitchen. And though you might have made or enjoyed this autumnal staple many times, trying a new recipe is a fun way to mix things up. Try this recipe from Shugary Sweets that claims to be the best pumpkin pie recipe out there. If you want to go the extra mile, try making this “perfectly flaky” pie crust instead of using premade crust.
Nothing pairs better with the brisk start to fall than a warm cup of apple cider. It’s like drinking a concentrate of seasonal spirit, and making it yourself adds a whole level to the experience.
You can make a whole day of it and go apple picking at Trapple Orchard or one of the other orchards in Omaha. Then you can make this homemade apple cider with the fresh apples you and your group picked together. Make sure you get at least ten good-size apples. You’ll also need an orange and some spices for this recipe.
Another great way to cozy up in this fall weather is with a bowl of butternut squash soup. You’ll get the best flavor when you make this soup with fresh squash, so fall is the perfect time to try this dish. Love and Lemons’ butternut squash soup recipe avoids using lots of butter and heavy cream, which means the final result is healthier than some soups. This vegetable-rich soup may be a good way to counteract the other notably decadent items on this list.
You’ll probably want access to a blender for this recipe to get the perfect creamy texture.
All the sweet fall treats like pumpkin pie and apple strudel need a savory salt counterpart. Pumpkin beer pretzels fit this role perfectly. And don’t worry; the alcohol is all cooked off. This Aberdeen recipe also uses pumpkin in the cheese dip to up the thematic ante. This snack is great to bring to a fall cookout or dinner party.
If you frequent coffee shops like Starbucks, you’ve probably seen or tried a Chai tea latte. It’s a spice-filled tea that fits perfectly into the Yankee Candle mood of fall. But you don’t need to shell out big bucks at fancy coffee shops. Here's a recipe from Taste of Home to make this treat in your assisted living apartment.
If you don’t think all that cream will sit well with your stomach, try this almond milk version. Also keep in mind that chai tea contains caffeine, so you’ll probably want to have this drink in the morning or use decaf tea.
You’ll need a drip brewer to make chai tea lattes, unless you want to get crafty and make a diy pour-over stand.
Fall means pumpkin everything, and breakfast is not left out. Pumpkin cinnamon rolls are the perfect morning treat for visiting grandchildren or adding to Thanksgiving brunch. This recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction involves mixing pumpkin into the dough and using pumpkin spice filling to create a double-pumpkin delight.
For a gluten-free option, try Snixy Kitchen’s recipe.
If you got enough apples on your orchard run, try making some apple strudel. Just make sure to get Granny Smith or another tart apple, otherwise your strudel will be unbearably sweet. This Cookies and Cups apple strudel recipe uses premade dough, so you don’t have to make a huge mess trying to make your own. If you do want to give homemade dough a shot, try adding this into the recipe.
Pumpkin cake is the much-needed solution for pie-hating dissidents. It’s similar to carrot cake in texture but tastes like pumpkin pie. Here’s a recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction with a great taste and fun presentation.
This cake is pretty simple to make, so it’s the perfect baking project to do with grandkids.
Pumpkin spice lattes may be the cultural icon of the young coffee house crowd, but that doesn’t mean seniors can’t enjoy the yearly pumpkin spice craze too. All you need is a coffee maker and a few ingredients to make this popular seasonal drink. Here’s a recipe from Inspired Taste. If you don’t have a coffee maker or you want to make your drink a little stronger, try using store bought cold brew coffee. You can also use decaf to avoid caffeine jitters.
