Epic caramel apples. All things pumpkin. Cozy reading dates. Here’s what our editors are loving this month.
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Cara’s Swooning Over …
Ridiculous Gourmet Caramel Apples
As I child, I remember unwrapping countless Kraft caramels and melting them in a saucepan, stirring until we could dip Granny Smith apples into the goo and set them to cool on waxed paper. I won’t pretend it was a success—either the caramel hardened and stuck to the teeth, or slipped off the apples completely in mid bite.
It’s a worthy goal, and one better left to the pros. The combo of smooth and buttery, crisp and tart—genius. So too are the flavors at The Sweet Shop in Cadillac. Each fall and only during local apple season, the team whips up 20 different gourmet flavors, like dark chocolate sea salt, s’mores, the white-chocolate Snowbird and their winning crowd-pleaser apple pie, a classic caramel apple dunked in white chocolate and rolled in cinnamon sugar.
Apple lovers take to The Sweet Shop’s Facebook page to vote as their favorites face off, bracket-style. But there are no losers, here. Pick up your fave before apple season ends—you can stop by the store when you’re tripping the fall colors, or call to have them sent to your door, 231-775-2201.
Photo by The Sweet Shop
Allison’s Swooning Over …
Pumpkin Delights
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been indulging in autumn goodies all month long: pumpkin chai lattes, cinnamon-dusted pumpkin donuts, this diabolically delicious pumpkin bread that I can’t stop making, and my current fave for a quick weeknight meal: pumpkin goat cheese ravioli (find it at Target; add brown butter sauce and some crispy sage). If you’re on the hunt for exceptional local pumpkin treats this fall, here are my top three picks in Traverse City:
Moomers, Pumpkin Chip Ice Cream: The thick ice cream base you know and love, amped up with pure pumpkin goodness, plus chunks of fluffy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. (How do they stay so fluffy!?)
Bubbie’s Bagels, Pumpkin Bagel w/ Pumpkin Schmear: For a limited time, Bubbie’s is offering the perfect pumpkin breakfast. Take it to the next level with a pumpkin spice hot chocolate.
Sweet Tartlette, Pumpkin Whoopie Pie: Brown butter buttercream and caramel piped between two super-soft pumpkin cakes. Pure bliss.
Honorable Mentions: I was recently up in Marquette and had the chance to stop by Babycakes Muffin Company for a dreamy pumpkin éclair (topped with beautiful edible flowers) and Contrast Coffee for a chocolate pumpkin biscotti to dunk in my apple chai-der. We may be past fall color season in the U.P., but both are worth the trip!
Make at Home: Muriel’s Pumpkin Pie Bars
Photo by Allison Jarrell Acosta
Ashlyn’s Swooning Over ...
Cozy Books & Seasonal Treats
After a long summer of sun-soaked beach days and road trips, this introvert is ready to embrace all things cozy—and nothing feels cozier than snuggling up with a good book. When you factor in autumn’s crisp air, fallen leaves and pumpkin spice treats, reading becomes even more magical.
From one reader to another, here are a few of my favorite ways to spend a bookish fall day in Traverse City.
Stop #1: Brilliant Books
Explore an expertly curated selection of indie books, new releases, bestsellers, children’s books and more. Hot tip: right now you’ll find a great selection of spooky reads.
Stop #2: Higher Grounds
If you haven’t tried the seasonal pumpkin spice chai or maple oat latte, this is your sign. While you’re at it, pick out a Sugar 2 Salt treat to go with your coffee. The ginger molasses cookie is absolute perfection. (Or, make them at home. We’ve got the recipe.)
Stop #3: The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
This Traverse City hot spot has a storybook vibe with the historic Victorian-Italianate style buildings, surrounding forests and charming small businesses. Spread out a blanket on the lawn, sit at a picnic table or find indoor and outdoor seating at area business. On a chilly day, Higher Grounds might even have a bonfire going.
Photo by Ashlyn Korienek
Photo by Ashlyn Korienek
Carly’s Swooning Over ...
Pumpkin Palooza
Coveyou Scenic Farm in Petoskey grew thousands of pumpkins this season. In fact, they have so many pumpkins they’ve declared a palooza.
On weekdays (9 a.m.–5 p.m.), the farm is offering a U-Pick option, where visitors can drive out to the patch in their own vehicle, pick their pumpkins off the vine and then pay for them by weight back in the market. On weekends through the end of October, you can catch a free hayride out to the patch (11 a.m.–4 p.m.).
Owned by fifth-generation farmer David Coveyou and his wife, Kathy, Coveyou Scenic Farm is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The farm was founded by David’s forebears in the late 1800s at a time when railroads opened up Northern Michigan to the rest of the world. The Coveyous were French Canadians who migrated to Petoskey by way of Pennsylvania just a year after the railroad was laid, in 1874.
Today, visitors love the artisan market (open April to November) filled with organic produce, flowers, soil amendments, gardening supplies, specialty foods and more.
Photo by Coveyou Scenic Market