Love it or hate it, it’s pumpkin spice season! For those in the love category, it seems to creep up earlier and earlier every year. And while you may think pumpkin spice lattes are the hallmark of the season, don’t discredit the many pumpkin-flavored goodies to be had.
We rounded up our favorite pumpkin-flavored eats and drinks Des Moines moms (and families) can enjoy while savoring the crisp, colorful days of fall. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out our Fall Bucket List in Des Moines! Or if you want to make your own pumpkin delights, check out our Pumpkin Patch Guide.
Pumpkin Spice Coffee Drinks
Starbucks Home to the pumpkin spice latte that started it all (in 2003)! And if it’s too hot still, consider the pumpkin cream cold brew. You can also find pumpkin bread and pumpkin cream cheese muffins on the menu.
Friedrichs This local coffee roaster keeps pumpkin spice syrup in stock year-round, so you can order a pumpkin spice latte anytime.
Java Joes This local favorite is already serving their delicious fall drinks, including the pumpkin spice latte (available year-round), and a pumpkin chai.
Scooters You can enjoy pumpkin flavors in a variety of ways at Scooters Coffee! The pumpkin spice and pumpkin caramelicious lattes come either hot or iced, or you can mix them up with the blended version. If you’re in the mood for something different, try the pumpkin pie shake.
Dunkin’ Donuts Dunkin’ Donuts has a lineup of pumpkin-flavored coffees, which feature a pumpkin swirl that’s available hot, iced, cold brew, espresso, or frozen. You can also sink your teeth into their pumpkin donut and muffin.
Caribou Coffee Caribou Coffee’s menu includes a pumpkin white mocha, a pumpkin pie latte, and a cold press infused with spiced pumpkin and salted caramel. Yum!
Smokey Row Get your pumpkin fix at Smokey Row Coffee Co. with a pumpkin latte or pumpkin chai, in addition to other fall drinks like their campfire mocha (mocha with marshmallow), apple cider, and caramel apple cider. If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, give the pumpkin muffins or pumpkin bread a try.
Mars Cafe They’ve got a pumpkin spice latte on the menu and love to get creative, so if you’re in the mood to try something new, they’ll season up a tasty fall drink to warm your soul.
Light Brite Their Pumpkin Nice Latte combines a housemade pumpkin brown sugar syrup and fall spices. Check out their Caramel Apple Sprouda for a drinkable iced twist on a caramel apple.
Coffeesmith Their one-of-a-kind pumpkin cold foam tops their brown sugar-sweetened cold brew for the perfect fall drink.
Sweet Pumpkin Treats
Crumbl Cookies Keep an eye on their weekly flavors for seasonal pumpkin offerings like the recent pumpkin chocolate chip cookie.
Molly’s Cupcakes Don’t miss these tasty from-scratch cupcakes baked in small batches throughout the day. This fall you can enjoy one of their famous center-filled cupcakes with pumpkin spice flavor!
Cremé Cupcake Stop in during October to enjoy a Perfect Pumpkin cupcake, one of their two seasonal flavors (the other is caramel apple). And be sure to check their dessert lounge in the evenings for another taste of fall flavors.
Scratch Cupcake No matter what day of the week you stop in, Scratch Cupcake will be able to satisfy your pumpkin cravings. Their autumn menu includes the following flavors: pumpkin spice latte, maple pumpkin donut, chocolate pumpkin mousse, salted caramel pumpkin, pumpkin cheesecake, and pumpkin white chocolate cookie.
Thelma’s Treats This local cookie and ice cream sandwich bakery has pumpkin spice cookies available for purchase in-store, and at retailers.
Zombie Burger Pair one of their unique, delicious burger combinations with the sweet Pumpkin Pie Shake! Spike your shake for a little extra kick!
Chocolaterie Stam This local chocolatier’s pumpkin spice bon-bon will debut at the end of September. With its adorable pumpkin shape and pumpkin spice filling, it’s bound to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Main Street Cafe & Bakery This local cafe is ready for fall, from morning to night! Finish off your meal with a slice of their pumpkin cake! Or stop by in the morning for pumpkin french toast. You can also find a pumpkin salad dressing for lunch or dinner, and a pumpkin spice latte any time of day!
Scenic Route Bakery Stop by to find pumpkin bars in their pastry case right now and keep an eye out for other fall pastries in rotation over the next month. Their pumpkin spice latte will be on the menu starting the last week of September. Pair it with a hearty soup for a perfect fall combo!
Nothing Bundt Cakes With its home-kitchen roots, the pumpkin spice bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes is sure to make any gathering more delicious!
Picket Fence Creamery
This hand-packed pumpkin ice cream is creamy and delicious! It’s the perfect combination of pumpkin flavor and spice. Look for pints at local Hy-Vee and Fareway stores.
Black Cat Ice Cream Grab a scoop of the pumpkin spice latte ice cream and enjoy it on their patio during the warmer late summer or early fall days.
Home Sweet Cone Not only do they have various pumpkin-flavored ice creams, but they also offer a pumpkin spice waffle cone to really up the pumpkin ante.
Monarcha Paletas A state-fair-worthy version of a pumpkin latte, this one’s on a stick. A unique frozen option, much like their other paletas, customize yours with a dip, topping, drizzle, or all of the above.
Pumpkin for Breakfast
Drake Diner Touted as “better than pie,” dig into a stack of pumpkin pancakes at the Drake Diner, which is served up with real butter and warm maple syrup. Choose from a tall stack (3) or a short stack (2).
Donut Hut Don’t miss the limited-release pumpkin spice donuts from this local bakery. They’re out of this world!
Hurts Donut Stop by and sink your teeth into one of four pumpkin donut varieties, including Pumpkin Streusel, Pumpkin Streusel with Caramel, Pumpkin S’Mores, and Pumpkin Cheesecake! Yum!
Krispy Kreme Enjoy their original glazed cake donut with a pumpkin spice flavor! Wash it down with a pumpkin spice latte, available hot, iced, or blended.
Bruegger’s Bagels Start your day off with a pumpkin bagel topped with pumpkin cream cheese for a double dose of fall flavor!
Savory Pumpkin Dishes
Cool Basil Their savory Pumpkin Curry dish is available year-round. Once you taste the slurpable curry (the spicier, the better!) with chunks of pumpkin, you’ll want to order it every time!
