Easy Fall Treats to Make in Your Gourmet Kitchen

Delicious Desserts to Bake in Your Luxury Apartment at The Villas at Waterside

Grab your brown sugar and cinnamon – you’re going to need them! It’s finally fall, which means now is the perfect time to fill your luxury apartment with the smell of pumpkin spice and homemade treats. If you’re looking for something sweet to surprise your neighbors with or are just wanting to treat yourself, you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite fall treats that you can make inside the kitchen of your one-bedroom apartment. These recipes are quick, easy, and most of all, delicious!

#1 – Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

It wouldn’t be a fall recipe guide without a pumpkin treat, right? These pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting are a crowd-favorite, and can be made in just 30 minutes!

What You’ll Need:
Cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• ¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. ground ginger
• ¼ tsp. ground allspice
• ⅛ tsp. ground clove
• ⅛ tsp. ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Frosting
• ½ cup cream cheese, at room temperature
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• A splash of vanilla extract
• A pinch of Kosher salt
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place parchment paper on two baking sheets and gently spray with nonstick spray.
2. Start with the cookies. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, clove, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar for about one minute, or until pale yellow and smooth. Whisk in the oil, pumpkin, and vanilla. Combine with wet ingredients, and stir until batter is smooth and combined.
4. Scoop about ¼ of the batter onto the baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Smooth and flatten the cookies slightly with a spoon.
5. Bake the cookies for about 13 to 15 minutes, or until puffy and firm on top. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. 
6. Make the frosting. Using a mixer with a paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese and butter on medium speed for about one minute, or until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and salt, and mix.
7. Using low speed, gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and mix until thick and smooth.
8. Frost the cookies with a spatula or butter knife and enjoy! 

#2 – Mini Apple Tarts

These delicious tartlets are commonly found on the bakery shelves, and can easily be made inside your luxury apartment. The best thing about them? You only need seven ingredients!

What You’ll Need:

• 1 box store-bought pie dough
• 3 apples – peeled, cored, and halved
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ ground cinnamon
• A pinch of salt
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the rings from six wide-mouth jars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 
2. Lightly flour your work surface. Roll the dough until it’s ¼ inch thick. Smooth out any creases.
3. Place one of the rings on top of the dough and use a knife to gently trace around the ring, creating a circle that is ¼ larger all the way around. Repeat until there are six circles of dough.
4. Press the circles of dough into the jar ring. Repeat with the remaining dough and rings. Use a small knife to remove extra dough from the edge of the ring. 
5. Use a fork to pierce the bottom of the dough a few times. Place the dough-filled rings in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. As the dough chills, thinly slice each apple half. Keep them together so you can put an entire sliced half into the tart shells.
7. In a small bowl, whisk the brown sugar with the flour, cinnamon, and salt.
8. Remove the shells from the freezer and place a sliced apple half into each one. 
9. Top each tart with 1 ½ tbsp. of the sugar mixture and 1 tsp. of butter. 
10. Bake for 23 to 26 minutes, or until shells are golden and apples are tender. Cool before serving, and enjoy!

#3 – Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut butter balls are a classic fall treat and take almost no time to make! What’s more, you probably already have the ingredients in the pantry of your luxury apartment.

What You’ll Need:

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 tbsp. salted butter – softened 
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions: 

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter and softened butter. Gradually stir in powdered sugar until everything is fully mixed. Cover and place in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
2. Use your hands to shape the dough into 1 inch balls. Assemble them on a baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate for 20 minutes. 
3. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave.
4. Use a fork to dip the balls into the melted chocolate one at a time. 
5. Place the balls on wax paper and refrigerate until ready to serve.
6. Enjoy!

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