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Photo Courtesy of Delight Bakery.
Pumpkin and pumpkin spice have become ubiquitous for good reason – just the smell of the delicious pumpkin mixed with spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg are enough to evoke holidays, family gatherings and warm hugs.
Metro Detroit chefs aren’t satisfied to make just the average pumpkin dishes, drinks or desserts. They have used all of their creativity to come up with original ways to serve pumpkin, and they range from sweet to savory.
Ferndale’s Detroit Cookie Co. is one of Metro Detroit’s favorite bake shops thanks to the constant creativity of head baker, Lauren Roumayah. She elevates the humble orange vegetable through her pumpkin chocolate croissant bread pudding – just imagine adding a scoop of ice cream or a huge dollop of freshly whipped cream to that after a great meal. So whether you’re looking for a pumpkin-centric salad or something to satisfy your sweet tooth, Metro Detroit’s bakeries and restaurants have lots of pumpkin to spare. And, ultimately, it all seems to come down to having a righteous pumpkin pie also on the menu. “Sister Pie makes one of the best pumpkin pies I’ve ever had!” said Nicole Yelland, spokeswoman for Pontiac-based financial-services company United Shore. Here are some other suggestions of where you can find pumpkin dishes around Metro Detroit and little more about that Sister Pie treat as well: This Detroit-based bar is best known for its signature beer, which does come in seasonal flavors. But that pumpkin in its name is also represented in the menu. One example is the Harvest Salad, which features roasted beet, carrot, kale, arugula, goat cheese, dried cranberries and garlic pumpkin seeds. That sounds like a spicy winner. This restaurant is recognized for its delicious vegetarian options, and many of those are highlighted with wonderfully prepared veggies. One such offering that has pumpkin in it is the Taco Salad. It includes romaine lettuce, corn salsa, black beans, sweet potatoes, avocado, Chihuahua cheese, sour cream, corn chips, tomatillo salsa verde and pumpkin seeds. There are always seasonal flavors available at this bakery, which has outlets in Detroit and Royal Oak. One that is not to be missed is the Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake. Imagine the thick texture of the traditional cheesecake with the warm spices of a pumpkin pie. It is cool, creamy and ready for serving at any meal, Thanksgiving or just an average Thursday. If you’ve tried any of the breads, desserts or other delights at this Detroit bakery, then you know it pretty much can do no wrong. And what’s truly right about its approach to pumpkin is its whimsy. Avalon has long served its Pumpkin Whoopie Pie, which includes pumpkin puree, butter, eggs, cream cheese, chai spice blend, vanilla and sea salt. It is a winner for an everyday indulgence or to bring with you to any dinner party. Take a trip out to Grosse Pointe Woods to check out the original and outstanding treats at this Mack Avenue bakery. It is the first to offer what the bakery calls a Detroit Style Pumpkin Pie, which features twice the amount of filling as the average wimpy pumpkin pie. Nothing against the original pumpkin, but having double the filling sounds like a true winner and something anyone in your household would be willing to try. Sister Pie has long been recognized nationally and locally for its sweets. This year, its Thanksgiving pie menu includes a Buttermilk Pumpkin Streusel pie. The bakers there describe it as “a slightly tangy, super creamy pumpkin filling” in its all-butter pie shell. It is then topped with buckwheat streusel “for a perfect butter crunch.” Yum.
