Some people absolutely love baking, while others couldn’t care less. For me? Baking is therapy. I can get completely lost whisking, stirring, and popping muffins, cookies, or a cake in the oven. It just feels good for the soul. And honestly, what better season to bake than Fall? The air is crisp, the candles are lit, and nothing makes your home feel cozier than the smell of something warm and sweet in the oven.

Now, I’ll be honest—I don’t always have the time to bake completely from scratch. Weeknights are busy, and Sundays usually mean meal prep chaos in my kitchen. That’s why I keep a few reliable box mixes on hand. Quick, easy, and still delicious enough that my kids get excited every single time.

And let’s talk Fall flavors for a second… pumpkin is my weakness this time of year. Give me pumpkin everything, please and thank you. I’ve been starting my mornings with a splash of homemade pumpkin spice creamer in my coffee, and it just makes the day feel instantly cozy. Add in pumpkin muffins or pancakes, and I’m in full-on autumn mode.

One mix my kids have been obsessed with is from Go Nana’s—their muffin mixes are so good so when they dropped a Fall frosted pumpkin loaf banana bread mix I had to try it. You just need ripe bananas, milk, oil, a little maple syrup, and the mix. That’s it! The muffins come out perfectly moist with the most delicious pumpkin flavor. The best part? They’re gluten-free, but you’d never know it. I put the muffins in these fun Halloween baking cups.

That’s a big thing for me. At home, I try to keep our food gluten-free (though we still have gluten once in a while when we’re out—it’s hard to avoid completely). My favorite recipes are always the ones where you’d never guess they’re gluten-free because they taste just like the “real” thing.

Another cozy Fall find I’m loving: Simple Mills pumpkin pancake and waffle mix. Sunday mornings or school break days, I love surprising my daughter with pancakes, and she gets SO excited. Simple Mills makes it easy because their mixes are made with just a handful of real ingredients (true to their name—simple). Their pumpkin pancakes were a hit in our house, and I’ll definitely be making them again.

Oh, and while I was at it, I grabbed a Simple Mills pumpkin muffin mix too. Just as easy, just as yummy. Honestly, having these kinds of mixes in the pantry is such a lifesaver. I can whip up something sweet in minutes, sneak leftovers into lunchboxes, or just enjoy a cozy little treat with coffee.

Since we’re already on the topic of baking, I thought I’d share a few of my go-to baking essentials. These are some of my favorite low-tox, clean kitchen tools that make baking feel even more enjoyable.

Unbleached Tulip Cupcake Liners // Stainless Steel Muffin Tray // Stainless Steel Cookie Sheet and Baking Tray // Stainless Steel Baking Trays // Stainless Steel 8in Cake Pan Round // Stainless Steel 6×3 Set of 3 Cake Pans // Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set // Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons // Silicone Long Handle Mini Head Spatula // Unbleached Baking Cups // 8×8 Glass Baking Pan // Rubbermaid Glass Food Storage Containers // Stainless Steel Balloon Whisk // Glass Mixing Bowl Set // Glass Pie Baking Plates // Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer // Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer

So tell me—are you team pumpkin everything too?  Let me know in the comments if you end up trying any of these Fall baking mixes!

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