If autumnal inspired sweets are something you wait for every year, you’re in luck because it’s that magical time again. With peak color now underway, Leelanau County bakeries and shops have various fall items now on their menus — whether you’re looking for classic pumpkin doughnuts, apple strudels, or pumpkin spice ice cream sundaes with a shot of espresso, fall lovers can rejoice knowing so many options are available locally.
At Leland Harbor House, store manager Sophia Graham said their new coffee menu item, a pumpkin spice latte sundae, has been a favorite among customers. Espresso is poured over Moomer’s pumpkin ice cream and then topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. A pumpkin spice latte is another drink likely to show up as an option in the weeks ahead, Graham said. Other fall ice cream flavors being offered include pumpkin chip, which is pumpkin based ice cream with pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookies mixed in, caramel apple, and apple crisp. The caramel apple and pumpkin ice cream flavors have been most popular among customers at this time though, Graham said, also noting how the warmer temperatures have been making it perfect weather for cold treats. In addition, ice cream can be topped with candy corn, small pumpkin gummy candy, or Halloween sprinkles in the shapes of ghosts, bats, and pumpkins.
“It’s something on the menu that people don’t see often… So when people see it’s a special, I think that kind of catches their eye, and the warm weather has definitely helped with our ice cream sales,” Graham said. “We’re just approaching fall, but it is not exactly cold yet, so I think that also intrigues people to order more ice cream.”
Not far from Leland, people can find an array of delectable fall sweets available at 9 Bean Rows in Suttons Bay. Those that take a moment to visit the store will find a pumpkin spice panna cotta, among other seasonal treats, in the display case just as they walk in. Placed in a small, convenient jar and topped with whipped cream, the panna cotta is made using cream, vanilla, brown sugar, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice, honey, and gelatin to form the perfect creamy custard delicious anytime of the season.
“We try to run that (panna cotta) through the holidays, then it will be switched up some time around Christmas, unless it’s usually selling well, but it’s inside the case weekly,” said 9 Bean Rows Pastry Chef Trish Lootens.
Other treats people tend to go for are the classic pumpkin sugar- coated doughnuts, a peach crumble cheesecake, apple strudel, and fresh apple and pumpkin pies. Pumpkin snickerdoodle cupcakes, an item that sold out last year, will also be for sale soon, and 9 Bean Rows carrot cake, Lootens’ favorite, is made with carrots grown on the farm and mixed with pineapple, coconut, and raisins frosted with cream cheese and pecans. Whenever 9 Bean Rows comes out with a new creation, all employees will test it out first and give Lootens feedback, ensuring every item is delicious and something that everyone will love.
“A lot of our stuff, people just love it… It’s something at this time of year that people really like, that pumpkin flavor,” Lootens said. “I have to say my number one thing, at least for the pastry case, is our carrot cake… That’s number one and sells out. Personally I definitely love more of a spice flavor to things, so I love the smell of the cinnamon, the cloves, and the nutmeg, and I think that just brings back a lot of memories for the customers and people love that family time of getting together.”
Another go-to in Suttons Bay, Chimoski Bakery, has also been busy dishing out fall desserts. Since September, everything from pumpkin flavored rolls, cookies, doughnuts, and muffi ns have been selling out at the small-town bakery. Sales clerk Sharon Phillip said the pumpkin doughnuts that they whip up fresh and covered in cinnamon sugar every year are among the best sellers though.
“It’s the best place to get pumpkin donuts,” Phillip said. “We have sugar and plain, and we use real pumpkin to make it.”
To see what’s in stock at Chimoski Bakery or any of the businesses listed above, contact them directly to learn more.
