14 Pumpkin Spice Treats to Try Before They’re Gone

Snacks, desserts and yes, even pumpkin spice kitty litter are on store shelves

Jodi Helmer and Kelly Anderson,

AARP

Comments

En español

Published August 28, 2024

pumpkins and a cup of pumpkin spice drink

Getty Images

One of the most distinctive harbingers of the fall season is the return of pumpkin spice — to coffee shops, to menus and to some things that aren’t even edible. Pumpkin spice flavoring is so popular that some merchants will add it to just about any product to garner attention.

And it’s big business. In 2023 the market for pumpkin spice flavorings was valued at $1.1 billion.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks is the poster child for pumpkin popularity. It debuted in 2004 and reappeared on the menu on Aug. 22, along with its iced Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew.

It’s not just the flavor that fans love. Research from Stagwell Marketing, found that smell tops the list, with the scent ranking as the best part of pumpkin spice for 66 percent of respondents (just 48 percent ranked taste as the highlight).

There may also be a neurological factor driving pumpkin fandom. Marie Wright, a food chemist and the chief global flavorist at ADM, a Chicago-based company that supplies ingredients to food manufacturers, says that fall flavors appeal to the primitive part of the brain, where memories and emotions are stored. “It evokes the feeling of warmth, security and coziness,” Wright says of pumpkin spice.

Here’s a look at some of the limited-edition pumpkin spice products that will be available in the coming months.

Pumpkin spice latte

The iconic fall drink is most closely associated with Starbucks, but competitors have pioneered their own versions — including. Peet’s Coffee, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Tim Hortons and Saxbys, along with other national chains. Most are available for a limited time.

You don’t need a barista to get your PSL fix. Death Wish Coffee, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and, of course, Starbucks all offer pumpkin spice flavored beans to brew at home.

Dunkin’

Dunkin’ is offering pumpkin-themed doughnuts, muffins and Munchkin (doughnut holes) on its fall menu, which debuts on Aug. 28. The New England–based chain is also offering its Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte, which can be ordered hot or iced.

Beer

The combination of hops and pumpkin spice has proven popular as craft breweries and big beer brands release pumpkin-flavored ales this fall. New Belgium released Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin, Southern Tier Brewing Co. has a seasonal Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale and Samuel Adams calls its Jack-O “The Perfect Fall Beer.”

Dairy Queen Pumpkin Blizzard

The ice cream chain is bringing back its Pumpkin Pie Blizzard, a staple that has been on the fall menu since 1991. The blizzard includes real pumpkin pie pieces, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and nutmeg, and is available from Aug. 26 through the fall at participating locations.

Jamba Juice Pumpkin Smoothies

The national chain has offered the Pumpkin Smash Smoothie, a tropical twist on a fall favorite that combines real pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and nonfat frozen yogurt, since 2018. This fall, two new pumpkin smoothies will join the classic on the Jamba menu: Order Pumpkin Pie Crunch or Pumpkin Coffee Smoothies from Sept. 17 through Oct. 31.

Pumpkin spice protein bars

For a pumpkin spice fix on the go, brands like KIND and RXBAR created pumpkin spice protein bars. KIND bars include almonds, pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom with 5 grams or less of sugar and 5 grams of protein. RXBAR launched seasonal pumpkin-pie flavored bars made with limited ingredients and 12 grams of protein. Stock up on pumpkin spice protein bars at Target and on Amazon while supplies last.

Pop-Tarts Frosted Pumpkin Pie

The iconic breakfast pastries have a seasonal frosted pumpkin pie flavor. The pastries are filled with pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, iced with frosting and crunchy sprinkles, and are only available in the fall. Eat them straight from the package or pop them in the toaster and let the warm frosting and pumpkin spices melt in your mouth.

Pumpkin Spice Oreos

These cookies do not contain real pumpkin, but the combined flavor of traditional Oreos and pumpkin spice seems to be a winner, with the treat selling out quickly each year. The cookies, which contain vivid orange pumpkin-spice-flavored cream filling wedged between vanilla wafers, are available only during the fall months.

Baileys Pumpkin Spice Liqueur

This limited-edition hard beverage combines flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, with “every mouthful exploding like a tasty firework on a chilly night,” according to the Baileys website.

Philadelphia Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread

Adding pumpkin and cinnamon to milk and cream in the traditional cream cheese recipe results in a seasonal spread that is perfect to slather on a bagel or toast. Kraft Heinz makes its Philadelphia pumpkin spice cream cheese spread with no artificial flavors, preservatives or dyes.

Ben & Jerry’s Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream

Scoop up a serving of the seasonal limited-batch ice cream that “took the great taste of pumpkin cheesecake and gave it an ice cream upgrade.” Each pint includes rich pumpkin flavor and a thick graham cracker swirl to amp up the cheesecake experience.

And for your fur baby …

Greenies Pumpkin Spice Flavor Natural Dental Dog Treats

Online pet retailer Chewy has made it possible for dogs to get in on the fall fun with pumpkin-flavored treats. The treats are available year-round, but supplies often sell out during the fall.

Pumpkin spice cat litter

Special Kitty makes a pumpkin spice-scented clumping cat litter. Think of it as limited edition poo-pourri.

Around the house …

Pumpkin-scented cleaners

Looking to spice up your home with the aromas of autumn? Dawn Pumpkin Spice dish detergent and Febreze Air Mist Pumpkin Roll air freshener are among the pumpkin-scented cleaning products available in the fall.

%{postComment}%

Jodi Helmer is a contributing writer who covers gardening, health and the environment. She has also written for Scientific American, National Geographic Traveler and NPR.

Kelly Anderson is a contributing writer who covers features and political issues. He has written for DCist, the Society for Human Resource Management and Georgetown Magazine.