The dorm effecient recipe book

By Kassidy Weemhoff and Lauren Rink | Life & Times Co-Editors

When Taylor gets a taste of fall, it's all over. Pumpkin spice everything takes over our social media feeds, little pumpkins adorned with gold calligraphy start showing up as decorations and we all begin to anticipate the crisp air and crunching leaves.

Although it's still sweltering outside, autumn is on it's way, and we want you to be prepared for the chilly days with fall-themed snacks that will warm your soul. Plus, these recipes are all dorm friendly, so you can take advantage of your living space to create something delicious.

We encourage you to use these recipes as an opportunity to bring people together over food. Whip up some fall snacks, invite friends new and old to join and dig into conversation.

Fall Snack Mix

Who doesn't love a good hodgepodge of the best snack foods all in one place? The best thing about this recipe is that you can make the amount you want with the ingredients you want. Call on your inner Bobby Flay and cater this recipe to your taste!

Ingredients

• Chex Cereal
• Fall M&M's
• Raisins
• Pretzel Sticks
• Miniature Marshmallows
• Candy Corn

1. Mix all ingredients together.

Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow/Muddy Buddies

A twist on a class snack, this recipe is perfect to get multiple people involved in creating a delicious masterpiece. Not to mention the enjoyment you get from shaking a bag of powdered sugar around.

Ingredients

• 8 cup Cinnamon Chex Cereal
• 12 oz Bag of White Chocolate Chips
• 2 cup Powdered Sugar
• 3 tsp Pumpkin Spice
• 1 cup Fall Color M&M's

1. Melt chocolate chips by microwaving 30 seconds (in your lobby microwave) then stirring and repeating until melted.
2. Add pumpkin spice and stir to combine.
3. Pour cereal into a large mixing bowl or onto a large tray.
4. Pour the pumpkin/white chocolate mixture over the cereal and using a spatula or spoon, gently fold and combine the mixture into the cereal until it's thoroughly covered.
5. Put half of the powdered sugar into 1 gallon size ziploc bag, and the rest in a 2nd gallon size ziploc bag.
6. Spoon half the cereal mixture into each bag, and shake until all of the cereal is coated. If there are any pieces that are clumped together, try to separate and then shake some more. Do the same thing with the second bag.
7. After the cereal is all coated, pour in a single layer onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Allow to dry and then add M&M's before putting in airtight containers or your serving bowls.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Energy Bites

If you're not feeling indulgent, these energy bites are a perfect healthy snack. They're easy to make and store in your fridge for a snack throughout the week, or to share with your wing/floormates!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2-2 cups dry, uncooked oatmeal
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• ¼ cups chia seeds
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
• ½ cup mini dark chocolate chips

1. Combine all ingredients besides chocolate chips into a bowl and stir until the mixture is soft but not too sticky. You can add more or less oatmeal depending on the consistency.
2. Add chocolate chips, take spoonfuls and roll into balls. You can store these on plates, in ziploc bags or in plastic containers.

DIY Caramel Apple Bar

Caramel apples are usually messy, sticky and impossible to eat without looking like an animal. But we have a solution for you! This recipe is foolproof and easy to set up for a group. Invite your friends and set up your caramel apple bar so everyone can make their own.

Ingredients

• Apples, sliced (the amount of apples you use depends on the amount of people you're serving)
• Store bought caramel sauce
• Dark and milk chocolate chips for melting
• Mini M&Ms
• Chopped peanuts
• Mini marshmallows
• Whatever other toppings you like on your carmel apples!

1. Slice apples lengthwise all the way through until you have thin slices about the depth of a cookie. (You can throw away the core and seeds in this process).
2. Spread slices out on plates or a tray.
3. Warm caramel and melt chocolate in the microwave.
4. Put topping ingredients into bowls, cups or cupcake liners for easy access.
5. Let everyone take a couple slices of apple and adorn them with whatever toppings they please!
6. Eat the caramel apple slices as you would a cookie, and enjoy!