October has arrived and fall is fully underway: The days are getting shorter, pumpkin lattes are back on the menu, and -- most importantly -- we’re finally ready to light up the stove and fire up the oven. This month you craved spice (both sweet and savory) and looked for hearty food to help you prepare for hibernation. You also showed a lot of love to a variety of baked goods and vegetable dishes that highlighted seasonal flavors and produce. If a recipe involved kale, pumpkin, or apples, you were on board.
These recipes will get you ready for the influx of holiday fare (think pies, shortbreads, and roasted meat) and help you transition back to cool weather cooking.
Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Icing and Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds by Sarah Jampel
![Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Icing and Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds](https://images.food52.com/PqTKyGKht6PF_3x3cYCWiGs8XdU=/ecc63a43-b3de-4278-af44-e977a596f05c--2014-0926_pumpkin-cake-004.jpg)
Spicy, Peanutty Udon with Kale by Laura
![Spicy, Peanutty Udon with Kale](https://images.food52.com/wh5esahpcymL2XnYFARU-s6_8TU=/cc6d3ba4-fca3-406b-887a-ed4d38c2308d--2014-0819_5-minute-spicy-peanut-udon-with-kale-017.jpg)
Bulk Bin Snack Bars by Kendra Vaculin
![Bulk Bin Snack Bars](https://images.food52.com/YUH3iYaY4AfOhVdp5n-eTQGCYjg=/7354d12b-f155-45af-a642-d2255772160c--easy-granola-bar-recipe_food52_mark_weinberg_14-09-02_0087.jpg)
Autumn Root Vegetable Gratin with Herbs and Cheese by Merrill Stubbs
![Autumn Root Vegetable Gratin with Herbs and Cheese](https://images.food52.com/QmXY82EctCvAs--pQ-9H46wdh0s=/af7598ac-e49d-4175-a967-04de26b4c9ff--2014-0923_root-vegetable-gratin-113.jpg)
Heidi Swanson's Pan-Fried Giant White Beans with Kale by Genius Recipes
![Heidi Swanson's Pan-Fried Giant White Beans with Kale](https://images.food52.com/j348pC6zEWA4nOx-6J97CcYsBq4=/8fc76105-52c2-4e6d-b9bd-4a7e55275356--creamy-white-bean-recipe_food52_mark_weinberg_14-09-02_0526.jpg)
Cauliflower Patties by cucina di mammina
![Cauliflower Patties](https://images.food52.com/XgyaOwlvLISoTJ7eSXuAChgmWZw=/dcad0e93-3cd2-4abd-b083-3c060910f393--cauliflower.jpg)
Russian Honey Cake by Vicky | Things I Made Today
![Russian Honey Cake](https://images.food52.com/0hP2S5K5lt6zbjaKzRaaZq3tfQo=/7bfd2f6f-86e3-4e7e-ac94-1cafdfa4d68c--2014-0820_russian_honey_tea_cake_021.jpg)
Extraordinary Marinated and Roasted Chicken, Potatoes, and Chickpeas by divasparkle
![](https://images.food52.com/oqtBlexUx6_SWeCQM_orBvY3cek=/70bfebe7-3a1d-45c8-a295-688762a75a30--2014-0127_finalist_extraordinary-marinated-roasted-chicken-030.jpg)
Magical Marvelous Memorable Cookies by drbabs
![Magical Marvelous Memorable Cookies](https://images.food52.com/0qTlrgctjodb2NOZYj7AtiyGYF8=/60a792f3-df78-4962-8f35-b103d5ac0382--E3NCHLvBgHviixkKArdgCXnxTLr3kUK9VwbNOUxtaWw.jpeg)
Quinoa Salad with Hazelnuts, Apple, and Dried Cranberries by darksideofthespoon
![Quinoa Salad with Hazelnuts, Apple, and Dried Cranberries](https://images.food52.com/FdrNBvaqnURenmcpNcMJpeLzPMA=/769acd0e-9d33-42a3-84aa-58491bbf96b7--2013-1015-wildcard-quinoa-salad-with-hazelnuts-apple-and-dried-cranberries-007.jpg)
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