By: Addie Strack and Sophie Johnson

We both love pasta, and we decided to try some different sauces and noodle shapes to find the best combination. We tried pesto sauce with macaroni shaped noodles, Alfredo sauce with penne shaped noodles, and tomato sauce with spaghetti noodles. We also added different toppings to each dish like mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and more. In this article we will review each dish, and give it a rating out of five.

Our first combination that we tried was pesto and macaroni noodles. We decided we wanted to try to make our own pesto sauce to try to make it taste even better (the pesto recipe will be linked at the bottom of our article). We also added some mozzarella cheese and cherry tomatoes to top off the dish. We both really enjoyed this dish, but agreed that the shape of the noodle could’ve been different. We thought maybe using bow tie pasta would be better, and agreed to try that next time. Besides the shape of the pasta, we thought this dish was amazing. It was our favorite dish overall, and the homemade pesto made a big difference. The dish tasted fresher, and it was also fun to make the pesto. We would rate this dish a 5/5, and would definitely make it again.

The next pasta combination that we tested out was Alfredo sauce and the shape was penne pasta. Out of all the shapes of pasta that we tried, this one was our second favorite. We agree that penne is the second best because the sauce is more absorbed in the noodle because of the shape of the noodle. The hole in the middle of the noodle allows for sauce to be trapped and makes the dish extra flavorful. The sauce in this combination (Rao’s Homemade) was delicious and we would rate it a 4.5/5. It was extra creamy and the brand we used was extra cheesy and rich which added a lot of additional flavor to the meal. Overall, this dish was really good, especially the sauce and we would rate it a 4.5/5. We would definitely recommend this recipe and would make this dish again.

The last combination of pasta shapes and sauces that we tried was spaghetti with red tomato sauce. This was our least favorite dish out of the three that we cooked, but it was still very delicious and flavorful. There was nothing wrong with this recipe but we both agree that tomato sauce is just not one of our favorites. One factor that could make this dish more enjoyable is if there was a side like meatballs or something that would add more flavor to the meal in the end. Overall, we would rate the spaghetti with red tomato sauce combination a 3/5. It was good, but not the best thing we’ve tasted, and it definitely did not come close to how good both the pesto macaroni and penne Alfredo pasta combinations were.

All of these dishes were super fun to make. We loved being able to test different combinations and toppings, and we have so many different pastas that we want to try. We want to try making our own Alfredo and tomato sauce since the homemade pesto was so good, and we also want to try making a pasta salad. Our one big recommendation after making all of these dishes is to make your sauce homemade. We think that the biggest difference that set the pesto ahead was the fact that it was homemade, and we would love to try more homemade sauces.

Pesto recipe:

• https://www.loveandlemons.com/pesto-recipe/

By: Austin Bailey-Zimmerman

Since the leaves have all fallen, the weather is getting much colder, and everyone is getting into the winter spirit, I thought these pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies would be the perfect way to end the fall season.

These cookies have probably been the best I’ve ever made! They are full of that delicious warm pumpkin taste, the spice of cinnamon, and are coated with the perfect amount of sugar.

I am so happy I found this recipe from TikTok @lillyluvsfall. She has created the perfect cookie for fall, that is so easy to make. I had my friends and family try it, and they said that it was absolute perfection. It really warms up your whole body, and I was delighted to enjoy this treat! Please enjoy making this treat easily from home!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup pumpkin purée
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 2/3 cup flour
• 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
• I tsp baking soda
• I tsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Brown the butter in a large pan then let cool, once done, in the fridge.
3. Once the butter is cool, whisk in the sugar and brown sugar into a large bowl.
4. Whisk in the egg yolks, vanilla and dried pumpkin purée (to dry the purée, just press it on a plate with paper towels) .
5. Fold in the flour, pumpkin spice, salt, cream of tartar, and baking soda then set the bowl in the fridge for 5 mins.
6. Then create the cinnamon and sugar topping by mixing the 1/3 cup of sugar and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon in a small bowl.
7. Roll the dough into balls (about the size of a golf ball) then coat the balls in the cinnamon and sugar.
8. Bake for 10-11 minutes or until baked all the way.
9. Take out to cool.
10. Sprinkle the extra cinnamon and sugar mix onto the tops while still warm.
11. Enjoy!

By: Austin Bailey-Zimmerman

Are you looking for a cozy fall treat while the weather is getting colder? This is the recipe for you! The cinnamon swirl cupcake pairs perfectly with the frosting on top. It is very easy to make, and with perfect results, leaving your mouth watering for more.

I chose this recipe because it looked so unbelievably delicious, and was very quick and easy to make at home! I got this recipe from TikTok @sarahkraffty. She has found the perfect recipe for fall. The moist cake with the cinnamon swirl is perfect with the creamy sweet frosting on top.

I had my friends and family try it and they thought it was delicious. They said that it was very moist, and thought it was the perfect amount of cinnamon swirl. Enjoy this sweet treat for fall!

Ingredients for batter:

• 1 stick of butter (melted)
• 3⁄4 cups of sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp of vanilla
• 3⁄4 cup of milk
• 2 cups of flour
• 1 3⁄4 tsp of baking powder
• A pinch of salt

Ingredients for cinnamon swirl:

• 3 tbsp of melted butter
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 1⁄3 cup of brown sugar

Ingredients for frosting:

• 2 sticks of browned butter
• 3 cups of powdered sugar
• 2 tsp of vanilla
• 2 tsp of cinnamon
• 4 tsp of heavy whipping cream

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Brown 2 sticks of butter on the stove (cook over low heat and stir until it becomes brown), then freeze for later.
3. Mix together the butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, milk, flour, baking powder, and salt into a large mixing bowl.
4. Mix butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar together in a small bowl.
5. Line cupcake pans with liners.
6. Add a small scoop of batter into each cupcake holder, then a small amount of the cinnamon combination, and then take a toothpick and swirl the two together. Repeat once more (or until filled 3⁄4 of the way).
7. Bake for 22-24mins.
8. Take your frozen/chilled butter and whip it until smooth. Then add the sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and heavy whipping cream into a mixing bowl.
9. After cupcakes have cooled, pipe frosting onto tops.
10. Enjoy!

By: Austin Bailey-Zimmerman

Are you looking for the perfect food for breakfast, a snack, or a sweet treat? This pumpkin bread will fulfill your cravings for a fall themed food! This easy to make recipe is moist and the perfect mix of savory pumpkin bread and sweet frosting.

I found this recipe on TikTok @jazzy.leon. She has captured the perfect fall recipe. I had my friends try it, and they thought it was perfect, especially on a chilly day.

Enjoy this recipe from home!

Ingredients for bread:

• 2eggs
• 15 oz of pumpkin purée
• 1⁄2 cup of white sugar
• 1⁄2 cup of brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup of milk
• 1 tbsp of oil
• 2 cups of flour
• 2 tsp of baking powder
• 1⁄2 tsp of baking soda
• 1 tsp of salt
• 2 tsp of pumpkin spice

Ingredients for frosting:

• 4 oz of cream cheese
• 4 tbsp of butter
• 1 cup of powdered sugar
• 2 tsp of milk
• 1⁄2 tsp of vanilla
• 1⁄2 cup of powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Add eggs, pumpkin purée, milk, and oil into a large mixing bowl and stir together.
3. Add sugars, flour, baking powder and soda, salt, and pumpkin spice into the bowl and mix it all together.
4. Spray bread pan with cooking spray, then bake in the oven for 60-65 mins. Let cool.
5. Mix together cream cheese, butter, sugars, milk, and vanilla into a small mixing bowl for your frosting.
6. When bread is cooled, spread frosting onto bread.
7. Enjoy!

By: Brennan McMahon

With Halloween happening just over a week ago, lots of kids have to decide what candy to keep and what to get rid of. This is a very hard decision to make so here is a list of the top 10 candies you should keep.

#1 Snickers

Snickers are a very popular candy bar that has chocolate, caramel, peanuts, and nougat. More than 48 million people think that Snickers are the best candy. Warning this candy contains nuts and milk.

#2 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Many people believe that this is the best candy with 42.8 million people liking it. It is the best selling candy in the world. This candy is peanut butter coated in milk chocolate. Warning contains peanuts and milk.

#3 Hershey’s Kisses

This is a milk chocolate candy that is individually wrapped. 42.5 Million people ate kisses in 2020. The first production of Hershey’s Kisses was in 1907, and they make 70,000,000 each day. Warning contains milk.

#4 KitKat

KitKats were originally developed in the UK but are now produced globally. This is a classic candy bar that consists of a wafer surrounded by milk chocolate. Warning this contains milk.

#5 M&Ms

M&Ms are a beloved candy to almost everyone, but most don’t know that peanut M&Ms are more popular than the classic variant. These candies are super good and nobody is upset when they receive them. Warning this contains milk.

#6 Hershey’s milk chocolate bars

This is the classic chocolate bar that everyone knows and loves. The Hershey’s company sells more than 250 million bars each year. Warning contains milk.

#7 Twix

Twix is one of the best candy bars in the world; it has the perfect mix of chocolate, caramel, and shortbread cookies. There are 161 million bars sold each year. Warning contains milk.

#8 Starburst

Starbursts were created in the 1960s by the Wrigley Company in the UK. The USA is where most Starbursts are sold. Over 16,000,000 people ate Starbursts this year.

#9 Skittles

These candies were created by the same company as Starbursts, just 20 years later, and just like them America buys most of them. Their iconic slogan is “Taste the Rainbow.”

#10 Candy corn

Either you love them or you hate them. These iconic candies fall last on our list but there are still more than 35 million pounds of them sold each year. These candies were developed in Philadelphia in the 1980s.

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.inthekitchenwithmatt.com/most-popular-candy-in-america

By M. Ahmadad

The warmer half of October is over, now people are looking forward to the temperature cooling down and getting ready for the snow brought by November and December. Before that, I recommend you try a dessert by Just Jill* (on https://justjill.com) and consider trying this one before moving onto the warmth of hot cocoa.

We already know and love a lot of pumpkin classics, pies, cakes, cupcakes, lattes, etc. so, an apple brownie is a perfect thing to try this month. Apples tasting the best during the fall and with just a bit of cinnamon and caramel if you’d like.

Just Jill’s Apple Brownies

*The recipe/dessert does not belong to me, credit goes to respective owner. The article’s purpose is a recommendation alongside things that I personally add to it while making this dessert

Soft brownies made with vanilla and brown sugar, crunchy and sweet with chopped apples. Brownies are a really versatile and easy dessert, so adding additional things doesn’t take away from the forming of the pastry.

I recommend adding cinnamon and a bit of apple cider (sweetened or unsweetened) into the dry and wet ingredients to boost the recipe’s taste, and chop the apples however thin or thick you’d like depending on the portion you’re making.

A great alternative for those who are tired of pumpkin flavored snacks put in shops and at cafes everywhere during October.

For a link to the recipe: https://justjill.com/apple-brownies/

By: Sophie Johnson & Addison Strack

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup water
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Recipe:

1. Whisk the flour and eggs.
2. Gradually add the milk and water.
3. Scoop the batter onto a hot griddle, make sure it is a thin layer.
4. Cook until lightly browned on the bottom.
5. Flip and continue cooking until done on both sides.

Toppings:

• fruit (blueberries, strawberries, banana, apple), chocolate chips, Nutella, peanut butter, whipped cream, caramel

Review:

These crepes were so simple to make, yet so good. The recipe was fairly easy, with minimal ingredients that you probably already have in your house. There also aren’t a lot of steps to follow, so there’s less chance of making mistakes. We have a couple different topping recommendations, but you can add almost anything you want to these crepes. The crepe itself doesn’t have an overpowering flavor, and it isn’t sweet like a pancake, so you aren’t limited to only sweet toppings.

Our favorite topping combination we tried was Nutella and strawberries. This is a very common topping that is put on crepes, so of course we had to try it. After trying it, we understand why it is so popular. The crepe is on the more savory side, so it helps to balance out the sweetness of the Nutella.

Another combination of toppings that we tried was peanut butter, banana, and chocolate chips. The combination was really good, but we ran into a small problem. We found that since the crepes were on the thinner side, it made it difficult to have multiple toppings. If we added too many toppings, it caused the crepe to tear and break, making it more messy to eat. If you don’t mind the mess though, we definitely recommend this combination. To help to avoid the mess, next time we agreed we would try adding chocolate sauce instead of chocolate chips. This would make it so that you still have the chocolate flavor, but less ingredients for the crepe to hold.

We also tried the combination of apples and caramel since it is fall. This combination was okay. It was good, but we both agreed there were a couple of things that could have helped to improve it. The texture of the apples were more crunchy, and we again ran into the problem of the crepes tearing. Next time we agreed that we would cook down the apples so the texture paired better with the texture of the crepe, and there would hopefully be less tears and breaks. We used a caramel sauce which worked well with the crepe texture and flavor. We also think that it would taste even better if we added some cinnamon to add more flavor to this combination.

One final combination we tried that was very simple was blueberries and whipped cream. This combination was good, and we don’t have any improvement ideas. The whipped cream was really good on the crepes, and we agreed you could have added whipped cream to almost any of the combinations and it would be really good.

While we were making our crepes, we found that it was difficult to make the crepes thin enough without them tearing when we flipped or removed them from the pan. To avoid this, we tested some different oils in the pan to see which one helped with this problem. Butter worked the best in this situation because we were able to make the crepes thin without them tearing. When you are adding butter to your pan, make sure that it covers the entire pan when it’s melted down, and this will greatly improve this problem.

This recipe was great, and we would recommend it to anyone who wants to try crepes. Next time we want to try this recipe with savory toppings. We think that it would be interesting to try to use the crepes as a substitute for a tortilla and make burritos with the crepe.

Overall we would rate this recipe a four out of five, and we would definitely make it again.

Link to recipe:

• https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/16383/basic-crepes/

By: Addison Strack & Sophie Johnson

Recipe:

Ingredients:

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup of vegetable oil, such as candle, sunflower, or almond oil
• ½ cup granulated of sugar, plus additional sugar for topping
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 packet chai tea
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350º f and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or grease generously with baking spray
2. Using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter at medium speed for about 1 minute, or until smooth
3. Add the vegetable oil (may not fully incorporate with the butter, some separation is okay)
4. Add the granulated sugar, powdered sugar, egg and vanilla, beating on medium speed until all ingredients are fully incorporated
5. Cut 1 chai tea packet and empty the crushed tea leaves into the batter
6. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt, or beat on low speed until the flour is fully mixed in
7. For large cookies add two tablespoons of dough to the baking sheet, and for small cookies add one tablespoon to the sheet
8. Press the dough evenly onto the baking sheet until it is about ¼ of an inch thick
9. Sprinkle some sugar on the top of the cookies
10. Bake for 12-14 minutes for larger cookies and 8-10 minutes for smaller cookies, or until they reach a golden brown color
11. Let the cookies cool and set on the baking sheet for about ten minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack

Icing (optional):

• Combine 1 cup of powdered sugar, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, and 3 tablespoons of milk or eggnog (you can add more or less milk/eggnog to change the consistency of the icing)

Review:

If you enjoy fall and winter recipes, then you may want to try Taylor Swift’s famous chai cookie recipe. This recipe screams cooler weather with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and overall chai flavor. It is a spin off of Wilson’s sugar cookies, and it tastes like a more flavorful snickerdoodle cookie. In this article we will cover how these cookies came to be, and give a more in depth review of these delicious cookies.

Before we review these cookies, we want to give a bit of background about their origin. These cookies were first made by Taylor Swift in 2014, when she baked a version of Wilson’s sugar cookies. She has enjoyed baking, and wanted to try out this recipe, as she loves fall, and it is the perfect fall cookie. Fans begged her to release the recipe for the cookies, and eventually she obliged, posting the instructions on tumblr.

Her cookies began to gain more and more popularity when she made these cookies for her 1989 secret sessions listening party. During this listening party, she invited hundreds of fans into her homes across the world. She baked tons of these cookies for her fans, and they were able to meet her cats, hear the new album a month before everyone else, and get a tour of her home.

These cookies are not only a great fall and winter recipe, but they are also a reminder of Taylor Swift’s generosity.

Overall, these cookies were good, but there were a couple of things that could have helped to improve the recipe.

When we tried these cookies, we noticed that they were less flavorful than we had initially predicted. We agreed that adding two or even three packets of chai could have helped to amp up the flavor. We also agreed that adding cinnamon to either the dough, or the top of the cookies before baking could also help to add more flavor to the cookies.

Adding the icing on top is a must. By itself, the cookie is good, but with the icing it is even better. The icing adds more flavor and sweetness to the cookies, and also helps it to have a smoother texture when you eat it. We made the icing with milk, because we couldn’t find eggnog. We both think that with eggnog, the icing might be even better and more flavorful.

Another issue that we ran into with these cookies was with the vegetable oil. We couldn’t find canola oil, so instead we ended up using a little bit of olive oil instead. We couldn’t taste the olive oil in the cookies, but we wanted to mention this to make sure our review is one hundred percent honest. We weren’t sure if the olive oil could have masked some of the flavors in the cookies, or affected the texture of the cookies, so we wanted to bring this up to have a fair rating. Eventually, we are planning on trying the cookies with canola oil and more chai tea packets to see if we can improve the flavor of the cookie.

After reviewing our errors when making the cookies, and thinking of ways to improve the flavor, we have decided to rate the cookies a 4 out of 5.

We agreed that our use of olive oil could have been a big contributor to the flavor of the cookies, and could have affected the flavor without us realizing. We docked one point because we think that the chai flavor was a bit less strong than we hoped. Overall though, these cookies were good, and we would both make them again.

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/10/taylor-swift-1989-secret-sessions-video?scrlybrkr=6e9bdaa6