As the days grow shorter and colder, the urge to cuddle up on the couch with a warm drink and a tasty fall treat becomes nearly irresistible.
From cookies to cakes to pies, options are abundant when it comes to satisfying your sweet tooth in the fall season. Not to mention, fall boasts a variety of flavors such as pumpkin, caramel apple and maple that seem to be everywhere throughout the fall months.
With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to decide what to treat yourself to, and even more difficult to just settle on one.
For many students at Ferris, a sweet treat isn’t just a tasty escape from the gloom of the changing weather outside. It is woven into the culture of fall and family traditions that have existed for years, and sometimes even generations.
Nursing sophomore Brianna Boyer explained that her love of the classic pumpkin pie comes from a long-held family tradition.
“Pumpkin pie reminds me of Christmas and gets me excited for it,” Boyer said. “We all make a different pie and bring it for everyone to share.”
Other students, like exercise science junior Hope Bortner, enjoy pumpkin pie simply because it is a well-loved classic.
“I’d have to say pumpkin pie is my favorite,” Bortner said. “The brand doesn’t really matter to me, we just always had it for Thanksgiving. But you have to have whipped cream. I love me some Cool Whip.”
There is no shortage of sweet treats available in the Big Rapids area. Local businesses such as Three Girls Bakery, Belle’s Coffeehouse and Kilwin’s have transitioned into their fall offerings, with the emphasis on pumpkin, cinnamon and apple flavors.
For students on campus looking to get into the fall spirit with a baked good, they can find many options at Quad Cafe in the DEC and the Rock Cafe. Starbucks, located in the DEC, also has several fall options, in both drink and food forms.
Secondary education senior Libby Montgomery explained that her favorite fall treat is another classic– the Pillsbury Halloween sugar cookies.
“I am a fool for those Pillsbury dough, pre-baked cookies that have the little pumpkins on them,” Montgomery said. “I don’t bake very well so those are easy and delicious.”
Montgomery also explained that caramel apples are another favorite, especially with toppings like peanuts or M&Ms.
“The classic is good but honestly the more toppings the better,” Montgomery said.
Social work senior Samantha Spicer expressed a love for the classic cinnamon donuts and apple cider that is commonly served at cider mills throughout the fall season.
“I love cinnamon donuts, they go crazy,” Spicer said. “And some apple cider to go with is a must.”
While sweets seem to be the go-to for many Ferris students, some students also enjoy the salty and savory classics that are popular in the fall.
Montgomery also shared that her family has a tradition of making salted pumpkin seeds after carving jack-o-lanterns, giving them a break from the usual sugary, sweet picks.
Spicer shared that her family has a tradition of enjoying danishes made by her grandmother.
“We are all about the sugary, sweet,” Spicer said. “My grandma always makes a bunch of different fall treats. In the fall, she makes a lot of danishes, like apple and cherry flavored.”
Students have not missed out on any opportunities to enjoy all of the flavors fall has to offer, and seem to be soaking up the sweet and savory flavors while the season lasts.