For students at University High School, fall comfort foods involve sweet treats with warm spices and hot beverages. Even in sunny Southern California, chilly afternoons are the perfect time to enjoy warm baked goods and hot drinks. With the Thanksgiving holidays approaching, fall is a season often associated with nostalgia, giving, gratefulness and comfort, and these desserts deserve a place on every student’s Thanksgiving table.
Chai Latte
Junior Isabella Dym has recently developed a fondness for chai lattes and has made drinking one a daily ritual. Chai is a black tea blend that typically includes cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves. It can also be served in latte form, accompanied by milk and sweet syrups. Dym believes Starbucks has the best fall-inspired chai, with options like the Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte. She enjoys the drink because it reminds her of spending time with her family and getting drinks together.
“It has such a unique flavor, and it’s cozy,” Dym said. “It feels like a warm hug, and that’s the same feeling I get from fall.”
Dym’s favorite at-home chai recipe features a 1-to-1 ratio of tea to milk, accompanied by a caramel drizzle and cinnamon toppings. She buys the chai for her latte from Tazo, a tea company founded in 1944 known for its bold and unexpected flavor combinations.
Pumpkin Pie
A staple on countless families’ Thanksgiving tables, pumpkin pie is a favorite of many students, who enjoy it for its spiced pumpkin custard filling and crumbly crust. For sophomore Liya Reddy, the dessert is perfect for fall because of its warm flavors.
“It brings comfort in a kind of way,” Reddy said. “It is really tasty and it’s the best to eat during the fall.”
Apple Pie & Vanilla Ice Cream
Apple pie holds a special place in junior Giuliana Torquato’s heart. A delicious confection with a flaky, buttery crust filled with slices of cinnamon apples, this dessert is a favorite of many students during the autumn season. Torquato believes that apple pie is all the more special when homemade and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and it reminds her of days spent baking with her cousins.
“It’s a lot more fun and you put in a lot more energy and effort in your creation [when it is homemade], so you enjoy it better,” Torquato said. “And it makes you hungry because you’ve been waiting all this time.”
Hot Chocolate
Reddy and Torquato both prefer simple hot chocolate recipes with traditional flavors and hot milk, which adds a creamy richness that complements the chocolatey flavor. Torquato has been drinking hot chocolate ever since she was a child during holidays, and it takes her back to the past.
“I have this special mug that I love so much because I’ve had it ever since I was a little kid,” Torquato said. “It reminds me of my childhood.”
From pies to sweet drinks, these comfort foods will set the mood for chilly fall days, football games, and the holidays, with the warm nostalgia and memories they bring to students. Whether these memories are spent with family, friends, or simply enjoyed alone, they create an atmosphere perfect for students to relax and enjoy the fall.
