Well it’s fall again, which means there will be an endless barrage of “fall” flavored foods, baked goods and drinks. While I love to hate on pumpkin spice lattes as much as the next gal, I am not afraid to admit that when the temperature starts to drop and the leaves begin turning colors, I begin craving something sweet to eat, preferably with pumpkin or apple. If you are coming down with a case of solstice-fueled cravings, check out these joints to make your mouth water.

Maison Kayser: 1800 Broadway, New York, NY 10019

I love Maison Kayser and was super excited when they finally opened up a Columbus Circle location last year. While Maison Kayser’s breads are exceptional, their pastries are not to be ignored. When apples begin to come in season, I inevitably begin to crave their apple tart. Unlike the traditional molded tarts, Maison Kayser combines all of the best elements of a traditional French tart and elevates it. The tart consists of a rich, buttery layer of puff pastry that is baked to a perfect golden brown crisp. On top of the crust is a single layer of thinly sliced apples, which are slightly burnished from being baked in the hot oven. The apples are topped with an apricot jam that keeps the apples moist and enhances their tartness. The tart apple flavor is the perfect complement to the rich crust. Since the “tart” is so thin, the dessert is light but will definitely satisfy your fall craving for an apple tart.

Magnolia Bakery 200 Columbus Ave New York, NY

I was very reluctant about reviewing something from Magnolia Bakery. To be honest, I think their cupcakes are overhyped and oversweet. However, when I heard they had apple crumb bars and pumpkin pecan bars, I decided to give them a try and was pleasantly surprised. The apple bars had large slices of apples that were coated and baked in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. The crust is not as buttery or rich as the one from Maison Kayser and is slightly greasy but the delicious apple filling elevates the slightly underwhelming crust. The crumb on top was my favorite part of the bar. It was perfectly crumbly and had hints of cinnamon and butter. The crumb melts into the apple filling, which creates a nice mix of textures; the crumb topping is slightly crisp, and the sautéed apples are smooth. 

The pumpkin pecan bar was a pleasant surprise. I am not a huge pumpkin fan, but this bar convinced me otherwise. The crisp pecan topping was exactly like the pecan topping in a pecan pie. The pecans were nutty and baked to a perfect golden brown; they even had the slight caramel flavor pecans have in pecan pie. The crunchy nuts were the perfect complement to the silky pumpkin filling, which was warm and tasted like it was spice with cinnamon and nutmeg. Overall, I would recommend the pumpkin pecan bar over the apple crumb bar, but both were decent.

Two Little Red Hens 1652 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10028

I know you are looking at the address and thinking it is all the way on the Upper East Side, and I don’t have time for all of that. But, after you try the fall treats at Two Little Red Hens, you will make time. They offer a variety of fall pies, everything from apple crumb to pumpkin. However, you have to try the Fall Medley Pie; it is hands down the best pie I have had in a long time (and I eat a lot of pie). The fall medley pie consists of apples, pears, plums, golden raisins, cranberries, apricots, ginger, walnuts and spices. It sounds like a slightly odd mix of flavors, but it works oh so well. Everything is baked together so the result is a rich fruit filling. The apples meld beautifully with the pears and plum, which enhance the apple flavor and bring out its natural tang. The golden raisins and cranberries are plump and juicy, a far cry from the shriveled ones you keep in the back of your pantry just in case the apocalypse comes and there is a food shortage. The ginger adds extra depth of flavor and an unexpected spicy zing at the end of the bite. And the crust … oh the crust. It’s good. Like really good: buttery, flaky, crisp yet slightly doughy, golden brown. This crust is the real deal; it is the epitome of a classic American double pie crust right down to the perfectly proportioned lattice crust. 

If pies are not your thing, Two Little Red Hens also make seasonal cupcakes in two sizes, mini and regular. I got the pumpkin spice cupcake, which is a pumpkin spice cake with pumpkin apricot cream cheese frosting. It has a delicate pumpkin flavor and a dense crumb. The frosting is genius. The apricots enhance the tanginess of the cream cheese and complement the pumpkin flavor. This was my favorite pumpkin flavored treat because it wasn’t one-dimensional pumpkin and spice on top of pumpkin and spice. The tanginess, sourness and fruitiness from the frosting really brings out the pumpkin and puts a unique twist on an old fall classic. My recommendation: Get a slice of Fall Medley Pie and a mini pumpkin spice cupcake. You won’t regret it. 

Bonus Remix: Savory Fall Item: Donna Bell’s Bake Shop 301 W 49th St between 8th & 9th Ave

So I had to throw something savory in the mix, and while Donna Bell’s Bake shop has some delicious fall sweets, like their rich and decadent pumpkin cheesecake bars, I highly recommend their biscuits. For me biscuits equal fall because they have the only combination of butter to flour ratio that will satisfy my major carb cravings that kick in when the weather starts to get cold. While their plain, classic biscuit is delicious, their flavored biscuits are phenomenal. The bacon blue cheese and parsley one is my favorite. The perfect accompaniment to soup on a crisp fall day, this biscuit has a crusty and crisp texture on the outside. When you break into it, steam releases and gives way to fluffy and doughy innards that is packed with bits of fatty bacon and creamy blue cheese. The parsley balances out the saltiness and adds fresh herbal hints. The biscuit is satisfying and delicious. 

So there you have it, my favorite fall treats! Go out and try any or all and let me know what you think! Also if I missed some of your favorite fall treats, let me know and I will be sure to taste them in the future!