Autumn days hinting at the holiday season to come tend to get people in the mood for something sweet. As the semester ramps up and the calendar year winds down, students frequently find themselves wanting an end-of-day celebration or a reason to go out with a group to help deal with school, work or just the weather. As the days grow colder and you feel a craving for something with a sugary kick, here are some goodies to keep an eye out for.
Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat -Dairy Queen, 710 N Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill
This reversal of pie a la mode makes its return, serving as the headliner of Dairy Queen’s new fall menu alongside other delectable options like snickerdoodle-themed and various Reese’s partnered blizzards.
Starting at $3.99 for a small blizzard, the flavor comes complete with pumpkin pie pieces mixed into your choice of soft serve ice cream, topped with nutmeg to complete the feel of Thanksgiving on the go.
Customers are always asking about the return of the fall flavors before they come back, said Keara McDevitt, who works for Dairy Queen’s Souderton location.
“Customers love our limited time menu options,” McDevitt said. “They’re always sad when we run out of them.”
This pumpkin choice and the other seasonal flavors will be available for a limited time, so grab it while it’s here.
Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel – The Drop located on Hawk Hill
Auntie Anne’s pretzels have a great contribution to offer this cinnamon season.
In full pretzel form or as bite-sized nuggets, these delights come hot from the oven, coated in a cinnamon-sugar mix. If you’re craving sweet and savory, this snack’s crunchy exterior and fluffy center will do the trick. The pretzel is available at The Drop located on Hawk Hill, Monday-Friday.
Caramel Apples – Kilwins, 85 Coulter Ave., Ardmore
Found in Ardmore’s Suburban Square, Kilwins is home to all manners of specialty desserts, whether it be chocolates, fudge or the original recipe ice cream they craft themselves. For those looking for a fall flavored choice, look no further than their selection of caramel apples.
These caramel apples are very popular among Kilwin’s customers, said Diane O’Neil, owner and operator of Kilwins in Ardmore.
“They’re freshly made, they’re made in store,” O’Neil said. “We make our own caramel, we hand dip all of them. They’re made either to specialty order or to our standard recipes.”
Available with sea salt, nuts or chocolate, these desserts help capture the feel of the harvest season and come in at $5.99 or $7.99, depending on the toppings.
Fall ice cream flavors – Tubby Robot Ice Cream Factory, 4369 Main St., Philadelphia
For students living in Manayunk, the Tubby Robot Ice Cream Factory is right around the corner. While each flavor at the establishment has something to offer, chillier days might make you gravitate towards their currently available Mexican Chocolate option. This flavor combines staple cinnamon with a cayenne pepper flair to add some heat to nightly outings when you might start needing your jacket. Similarly, the limited edition Cinnamon Boast Bunch flavor provides a focus on spice now that the baking season is about to be in full swing.
“The Cinnamon Boast Bunch is seasonal,” said Ariana Paiman, an employee at Tubby Robot. “We’re trying to push it towards a full-on-flavor at Tubby Robot just because it’s been so popular with not only my coworkers, but also the community here.”
Additional seasonal options including Pumpkin Pie and Harvest Apple will be arriving at the end of September, so stop by for the start of their official fall specials.
Insomnia Cookies – 199 City Ave., Bala Cynwyd and 3417 Spruce St., Philadelphia
Familiar to many St. Joe’s students, Insomnia Cookies is a staple for late-night snacking, which becomes especially relevant when the days grow shorter and studying into the morning hours becomes more common.
Insomnia Cookies offers a variety of cookies, all hot off the rack, with plenty of vegan or gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions. Keep an eye out for the return of their Pumpkin Spice Latte flavor and its vegan alternative this fall, and pick up a box to split with your friends.
