Fall’s arrival brings comforting flavors – apple, pumpkin, cinnamon, maple – to menus and bakery cases around Bloomington. These seasonal favorites are a chance to explore the local businesses that make the city special, so here are some places to check out this fall.
Soma Coffeehouse & Juice Bar
A popular cafe near campus, Soma captures the fall season with offerings like a pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin cream cold brew and apple cider. These drinks are best paired with seasonal baked goods like their pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Soma’s welcoming and relaxed atmosphere encourages you to linger and enjoy the cozy atmosphere. Plus, Soma’s location at 1400 E. Third St., just across the street from the Jacobs School of Music, makes it a convenient stop during a busy fall school day.
Crumble Coffee and Bakery
Even though cinnamon rolls are a year-round delicacy at Crumble, I think they deserve a spotlight during the fall season. Freshly baked daily, the cinnamon rolls are doughy, spiced with layers of cinnamon sugar and topped with a cream cheese frosting. The extensive pie selection – offering apple, pecan, pumpkin and cranberry apple – is also of note. At the location at 316 S. Swain Ave., Crumble is sure to provide you with a warm and autumnal ambiance.
Verona Coffee House
When it comes to specialty drinks, Verona might take the cake. The cookie butter latte is the quintessential fall sweet treat, consisting of cookie butter, vanilla, espresso and brown sugar cinnamon. The rolo cold brew offers a fun twist on a typical coffee order, with the combination of caramel and chocolate drizzle with caramel cold foam. Personally, the sweater weather latte is my favorite, not just because of the name, but because a classic espresso with brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon is something I would never pass up. These fun drinks are only offered until late October, so a trip in the coming weeks to Verona at 3105 S. Sare Road Apt 101 is a necessity.
Two Sticks Bakery
If you are in need of a cake, Two Sticks at 415 S. Washington St. is the place to be. In addition to their typical menu, the bakery has an impressive catalogue of fall flavors. The spiced brown butter pumpkin cake topped with cream cheese frosting offers a rich take on the classic fall sweet treat, with warm spices and nutty brown butter which compliments the pumpkin flavor. They also offer a tres leches salted caramel cake topped with whipped cream frosting, making for another tasty and unique fall treat to try.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Nothing beats a late night trip to Bruster’s, especially when their seasonal fall flavors are available. This autumn, caramel apple crunch has been added to the menu and, in my opinion, should stay for good. Another seasonal flavor is pumpkin patch, a pumpkin ice cream with graham crackers and wafer pieces. For those who prefer a plain pumpkin ice cream, no worries – that makes the seasonal menu as well. Make sure you try these specialty flavors before Bruster’s closes for the winter Nov. 15. Located at 4531 E. Third St., the short drive is worth these extraordinary flavors.
