Cupcakes with Coffee - The Annual Pumpkin Spice Madness Has Begun

It’s that time of year again (happy dance in my head) when the air gets crisp, leaves start to turn, and every menu, shelf, and influencer starts pushing 'one' thing:

Pumpkin. Spice. Everything.

The moment August reaches its finally - the world collectively loses its mind over what is essentially cinnamon and nutmeg with very good PR. Coffee shops release their 'highly anticipated' (same as last year) PSLs, and suddenly we’re acting like this beverage descended from heaven in a gourd-shaped mug. 

For some, it’s pure comfort in a cup. A cozy hug of autumn flavors that makes even a Monday morning feel like a Hallmark movie. For others, it’s become the punchline of every seasonal joke, overhyped and oversaturated like glitter after a craft fair.

Let's be real. Does it taste THAT good? 

Why yes, yes it does. But so does a cinnamon roll, and we don’t dedicate an entire season to that. We’ve got pumpkin spice candles, pumpkin spice protein powder, pumpkin spice deodorant (no one asked), and yes—even pumpkin spice dog treats. Because Fido deserves to be seasonally festive too, apparently. 

BUT...pumpkin spice is nostalgia. It’s cozy sweaters, crunchy leaves, and pretending the world outside doesn’t feel like chaos for just a moment. Whether you genuinely love the taste or just love the mood, there’s no shame in it. Drink your pumpkin spice latte if it makes you happy. Roll your eyes at it if it doesn’t. But let’s agree on this: fall is way too short to spend it being bitter when you could be sipping something sweet.

And don’t get me started on the merch. If your sweater says 'Pumpkin Spice' (and yes, I have one) and your front porch has a stack of decorative hay bales, congrats—you’ve officially joined Autumn University, complete with scarves, knitted pom beanies, and an elective in leaf selfies.

And, I LOVE EVERYTHING about it!

But again, here’s the thing: pumpkin spice isn’t really about the flavor—it’s about the feeling. It’s about permission to slow down, to swap iced lattes for warm mugs, to light a candle that smells like baked goods and trick yourself into thinking life is simpler than it actually is. It’s sweater weather, etc. etc. etc. —but also fresh start weather. 

So, if you want to sip on pumpkin spice while plotting your world domination or just trying to get through Tuesday without crying, I say: do it anyway. Fall is short, winter is long, and we're all just trying to survive until peppermint mocha season anyway.

But make wise choices and maybe skip the deodorant.

Love, Kate

Now, onto cupcakes.

Cupcakes with Coffee Style:

Cupcakes are tiny acts of joy—soft, sweet reminders that life doesn’t have to be big or perfect to be worth celebrating. They’re the reward after a hard day (mid-day, if necessary), the comfort during a messy one, and pure bliss in edible form. Paired with a good cup of coffee, they’re not just dessert—they’re a moment of pause, a little cheer, and sometimes, the reason you keep going.

For this cupcake, of course, you must pair it with THE Pumpkin Spice Latte (Ali's recipe from Gimme Some Oven) because the cupcakes shouldn't suffer (cough) alone.  A single-origin coffee from Honduras is a PERFECT choice. It's a medium-dark roast with a tasting profile of caramel, spice and brown sugar. YUM.

A little tidbit:

According to a 'Bing' synopsis: The origin of pumpkin spice dates back to the 18th century, when early American settlers used a mix of spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, to flavor their pumpkin pies. The term 'pumpkin spice' originally referred to this blend of spices used in baking, particularly in pumpkin pie, and has been a part of American baking tradition ever since. The earliest mention of pumpkin spice in a recipe was found in a 1936 Pumpkin Spice Cakes recipe published by The Washington Post.

ENJOY!

So go ahead—sip your overpriced, overly hyped pumpkin potion. Light that candle that smells like a Yankee Candle exploded in a farmer’s market. Wear the boots, the scarf, the whole autumn cosplay. You do you (because I will too).

But just remember, pumpkin spice doesn’t make the season—you do. 

Fall is your reminder that change can be beautiful and maybe even a little bit spicy. Life’s messy, like the top of a frosted cupcake, but that doesn’t mean it’s not delicious. So, take the season by the cinnamon sticks, chase your goals, shake off your doubts, and if you’re going to be basic—be bold about it.

Pumpkin spice your life, just don’t forget to do it YOUR way.