KANSAS CITY — While pumpkin is permeating fall menu item innovation, two other flavors are emerging as contenders: apple and maple.
Krispy Kreme is embracing all three fall flavors with its “Fall for Glaze” lineup. The chain is bringing back its Pumpkin Spice Glazed Doughnuts Sept. 6 through Sept. 12 and rolling out two new autumn glaze offerings in the following weeks.
Apple Cider Glaze will make its debut Sept. 13 through Sept. 19, starring on new Apple Cider Glazed Doughnuts, Apple Cider Glazed Original Filled Brown Sugar Kreme Doughnuts and Apple Cider Glazed Cake Doughnuts. The Apple Cider Glazed Doughnut is covered in glaze made with apple cider and spices, the filled version is stuffed with brown sugar Kreme, and the Apple Cider Cake Doughnut is an apple cider old-fashioned cake donut covered in apple cider glaze.
Maple Glaze will be available Sept. 20 through 26 on new Maple Glazed Doughnuts, Maple Glazed Original Filled Maple Kreme Doughnuts and Maple Glazed Cake Doughnuts. The Maple Glazed Doughnut is covered in a glaze made with maple syrup, the Maple Glazed Maple Kreme Doughnut is filled with maple Kreme, and the Maple Glazed Cake Doughnut is an old-fashioned yellow butter cake donut covered in maple glaze.
“Pumpkin Spice is great, but why stop there when there are so many more flavors to fall?”
— Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme
“Pumpkin Spice is great, but why stop there when there are so many more flavors to fall?” said Dave Skena, chief marketing officer for Krispy Kreme, Inc. “To help everyone truly embrace the tastes of the season, we’re adding two first-ever fall-inspired glazes with our popular Pumpkin Spice collection — each getting their own week this month.”
Cold Stone Creamery combines apple with pumpkin in its new Apple of my Pumpkin Pie Creation. The treat is made with new Pumpkin Bread Batter Ice Cream, pecans, graham cracker pie crust, apple pie filling and caramel.
“We're so ready to enjoy all the nostalgic flavors fall has to offer,” said Sara Schmillen, vice president of marketing at Kahala Brands, parent company of Cold Stone Creamery. “With the cooler weather and holidays to come, what better way to welcome the season than with the familiar flavor of pumpkin reimagined into super-premium ice cream.”
New at BJ’s Restaurants is the Sweet Cinnamon Apple Pizookie, a fall dessert available for a limited time. The treat features a warm cinnamon cookie loaded with cinnamon-spiced apple pieces and caramel bits topped with two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of caramel.
“At BJ's, we like to think outside of the box, and the limited-edition Sweet Cinnamon Apple Pizookie is no exception,” said Kevin Mayer, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of BJ's Restaurants, Inc. “The innovative new flavor embraces the changes of season and provides our guests with yet another reason for celebration.”
Peet’s Coffee is introducing its fall menu, featuring both pumpkin and maple flavors. The restaurant is debuting Pumpkin Oat Foam Cold Brew, the Maple Oat Frappe, and an updated Chicken & Waffles Sandwich that is now made with two maple waffles.
“Our fall beverage line is one of the most anticipated menus of the year, and this year we wanted to take our craft even further with a new Pumpkin Oat Foam Cold Brew,” said Patrick Main, senior beverage innovator at Peet's Coffee. “How could we top pumpkin spice? With a pumpkin pie-spiced oat milk microfoam, of course. We know our customers count on Peet's for new tastes and coffee experiences and this menu delivers the flavors and crisp sensations of fall with greater variety than ever before.”
Pilot Flying J is rolling out new fall-inspired coffee flavors and recipes to its network of travel centers across North America. The lineup includes pumpkin and apple flavors.
On Aug. 10, the chain debuted the Cinnabon Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino and the Apple Cider Cappuccino.
On Sept. 7, Pilot Flying J will begin serving Bourbon Pecan Coffee and Apple Pie Cold Brew.
On Sept. 17, Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer will be available for customers to add to their beverages.
“We say if you can't beat the heat, then join us for a taste of fall,” said Jamie King, senior director of food and beverage for Pilot Flying J. “There’s more than just pumpkin in our fall lineup for those who want to branch out and try something new like our Bourbon Pecan Coffee or Apple Pie Cold Brew. Stop in at one of our convenient locations on your route.”
Other new autumn menu items include the Pumpkin Spice Pie Gelati from Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Pumpkin Spiced Donuts from First Watch and the Keto Champ Pumpkin Smoothie from and Smoothie King.
