Fall recipes worth skipping the dining hall for

As Ella Fitzgerald once sang, it’s autumn in New York, which means that the days are getting shorter, pumpkin spice is making its way onto every coffee shop menu, and Marshalls’ Halloween section is completely cleared of orange string lights and plastic pumpkins.

Fall enthusiasts look forward to the autumnal foods that accompany the season: pumpkin pie, slow-cooked soups, and apples completely drenched in cinnamon and sugar. Unfortunately, the minimal square footage and fire safety rules of dormitories don’t allow for much creativity in the kitchen. So, this is a compiled list of dorm-friendly autumn recipes that will give you the cozy fall vibes you’ve been craving since August.

Put on that ambient autumn lo-fi playlist, rewatch Gilmore Girls, and get cooking!

Quick Note: For recipes with spices, the measurements are cautious, so if you prefer more cinnamon or pepper in your dish, just add to your liking!

Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake

Ingredients:

-¼ cup all-purpose flour, packed and leveled

-2 tbsp light brown sugar, packed

-1 tsp baking powder

-¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice

-A pinch of salt

-¼ cup pumpkin puree

-3 tbsp milk or milk alternative

-1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil

-½ tsp vanilla extract

Optional Toppings:

-Whipped cream

-Powdered sugar

-Caramel

Steps:

1. Mix the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, spice and salt in a 12 to 16-ounce mug.
2. Add the pumpkin puree, milk, oil, and vanilla. Scrape the bottom and sides of the mug for unmixed flour.
3. Microwave for 90 seconds. If still uncooked, keep microwaving in 10-second increments.
4. Check if the cake is cooked is by inserting a fork into the center. If there’s still batter on the fork, it’s not done!
5. Let it cool before adding any toppings.
6. Enjoy!

Apple Pie Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

-½ cup rolled oats

-½ cup milk or milk alternative

-¼ cup Greek yogurt

-½ diced apple

-1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

-¼ tsp vanilla extract

-1 tbsp maple syrup or honey (Optional sweetener)

Optional Toppings:

-More diced apples 

-Chopped nuts 

-Granola

Steps:

1. In a mason jar or bowl, combine the oats, milk, Greek yogurt, diced apple, spice, vanilla, and sweetener (If desired).
2. Stir well until all ingredients are combined. 
3. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. In the morning, stir the oats and add milk if necessary. 
5. Finish off with any desired toppings.
6. Enjoy!

Savory Pumpkin Soup (Or Pasta)

Ingredients:

-3 tbsp jarred garlic, minced

-½ can pumpkin puree 

-Any combination of these spices to taste: sage, Italian seasoning, thyme, rosemary, nutmeg and onion powder 

-Salt and pepper 

-½ cup milk or milk alternative 

-7-oz package of microwavable pasta (Optional)

Optional Toppings:

-Parmesan cheese 

-Breadcrumbs 

-Toast

Steps:

1. In a microwavable bowl, add the garlic with some of the oil from the jar. Microwave for a minute and a half.
2. Add the pumpkin puree, salt, pepper, and desired spices to the bowl and mix. Add the milk and stir until combined. Microwave for two minutes.
3. If desired, cook pasta according to instructions. 
4. Either use it as a pasta sauce or serve as soup with bread!

Mug Apple Crisp

Ingredients For Filling:

-1 small apple cut into slices 

-½ tbsp melted butter

-¼ tsp cinnamon 

-¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice, if desired

-1 tsp brown sugar

-1 tsp flour

Ingredients For Crisp:

-2 tbsp softened butter 

-1 tbsp flour

-3 tbsp rolled oats 

-1 tbsp brown sugar 

-¼ tsp cinnamon

Optional Toppings:

-Granola 

-Whipped cream 

-Vanilla ice cream 

-Diced apples

Steps:

1. Mix all apple filling ingredients in a bowl. 
2. In a separate bowl, mix the crisp ingredients with a fork. 
3. Put half of the apple mixture in a mug, top with half of the crisp, add the other half of the filling on top, then the rest of the crisp mixture.
4. Microwave for three minutes. 
5. Let cool and add optional toppings. 
6. Enjoy!

Quick Snack Ideas

Rice Cake and Apples:

• Spread peanut butter over a chocolate or caramel rice cake and top with thinly sliced apples and cinnamon. 

Caramel Spiced Popcorn:

• Microwave popcorn according to instructions. Mix with caramel sauce and pumpkin pie spice to taste.