Food historians have got to name this the decade where pumpkin spice reigned supreme, right? Everything was fine until a lil spike in Google searches in 2011 for the flavor that has taken over our cereal, yogurt, beer, and, of course, lattes. The popularity reached critical mass in 2016, but every self-respecting woman in yoga pants, riding boots, and the faintest whisper of a chill in the air isn’t putting down the Official Flavor of Autumn anytime soon.

If you need some fresh ways to spice up your pumpkin spice and want to do it with the real thing, we’ve got a few recipe ideas that are anything but basic.  

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate - Delish simmers real pumpkin puree with milk, white chocolate, and a pinch of pumpkin spice for a decadently cozy drink.

Better-Than-Starbucks PSL - It’s the real maple syrup and real pumpkin puree that set this latte from Delish apart from the average drive-thru recipe.

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce - Pardon us but this might be the only thing we eat this fall. This Well Plated dish uses pumpkin puree with fresh sage, butter, milk, and nutmeg for an irresistibly comforting pasta dish you can toss with noodles or zoodles!

Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Bars - Gym day or couch day, these little homemade protein bars by Emilie Eats hit the spot! She uses vegan protein powder with pure pumpkin puree, almond butter, and a homemade blend of spices to pump up this snack.

Pumpkin Creme Brulee - Is this real life right now? Epicurious is killin’ us with this real pumpkin puree dessert that sounds crazy decadent and is going to make us look like Julia-freakin’-Child at this year’s family bake off!

Pumpkin Banana Smoothie - Breakfast, dessert, or maybe even both, we can’t think of a bad time to make Chef Savvy’s creamy little nutritional powerhouse. Real pumpkin, Greek yogurt, bananas, honey, and a little cinnamon and nutmeg feel like sippin’ pie any time you want.

Pumpkin Compound Butter - The only thing making us take a break from avocado toast this season is Tasty Kitchen’s compound butter. Whip up the butter with puree, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salted butter and then schmear that schtuff all over your bagels, toast, waffles, or the end of your index finger.

Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes - You know that really good Thanksgiving dream where you mix all the food together and just dig in? Steamy Kitchen basically accomplished that, you guys! The canned pumpkin, its complementary spices, and a little maple syrup blend right in with your white or sweet potatoes.

Pumpkin Spice Protein Pudding - We’ll go ahead and take seconds, please! The Betty Rocker’s rockin’ our world with this GF/dairy-free pumpkin spice breakfast-snack-dessert. Protein powder, eggs, coconut milk, and a whole can of real pumpkin puree have got nothin’ on those little snack packs.

Fresh Pumpkin Spice Cocktail - Have your pumpkin and drink it too with The Taste SF’s totally surprising pumpkin spice libation! They pretty much had us at vodka and fresh pumpkin...but then the horchata and ginger liqueurs made this an official love affair.